Alternate formats available upon request. Solid Waste Resources 519-767-0598 TTY 519-826-9771 waste@guelph.ca guelph.ca/waste Multi-Residential Cart User Guide GuelphWaste_Multi-Res_UserGuide_2015.indd Spread 1 of 6 - Pages(12, 1) 10/14/2015 10:28:27 AM
Cart program The City of Guelph uses carts to collect organics, recyclables and garbage. Residents must use green, blue and grey carts instead of plastic bags for waste. Sorting our organics, recyclables and garbage carefully and using carts can reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill, lower the City s operating costs and decrease Guelph s carbon footprint. The carts, through your participation, build on Guelph s leadership in waste minimization and diversion for a sustainable, service focused and economically viable future. This guide includes the information you need to use your carts! Support and feedback Contact us. We are committed to continually improving the cart program. Let us know if you have questions, concerns, sugges tions, or if you need assistance. Solid Waste Resources 519-767-0598 TTY 519-826-9771 waste@guelph.ca guelph.ca/waste Large items Large items are not collected as part of the curbside collection program. Bring these items to the Waste Resource Innovation Centre (110 Dunlop Drive) or use the Bulky item collection program, Take it Back directory or participate in Goods Exchange Weekends. Bulky Item Collection If your item has reached the end of its life cycle, make arrangements to have it picked up at the curb through the City s Bulky Item Collection Program for a fee. Please contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598. Take it Back Directory Guelph s Take it Back directory provides a convenient, one-stop source of information for residents looking to get rid of unwanted items. The directory connects residents to businesses and organizations that will reuse, recycle, or safely dispose of unwanted materials. Goods Exchange Weekends Goods Exchange Weekends are a great opportunity to exchange reusable household items, such as furniture, appliances, and toys for free! Participating in this community reuse event is easy. For more information about these programs, visit guelph.ca/waste. Electronic waste Guelph residents and businesses can drop off their electronic waste, including TVs and computer monitors, at the Waste Resource Innovation Center all year round, free of charge. Used tires Residents may bring up to four used tires, off of their rims (light passenger vehicle tires only), to the Waste Resource Innovation Center at no cost. 2 11 GuelphWaste_Multi-Res_UserGuide_2015.indd Spread 2 of 6 - Pages(2, 11) 10/14/2015 10:29:31 AM
Not collected at the curb Household hazardous waste is not collected at the curb. Drop it off free of charge at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 110 Dunlop Drive. Includes all products marked with a hazard symbol such as explosive, corrosive, flammable and toxic and special waste, including but not limited to: batteries, pressurized containers, aerosol cans, propane containers, portable fire extinguishers, fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil and filters, fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, pharmaceuticals, medical syringes, mercury switches and thermostats, household cleaners and detergent, wax and polish. * Needles, syringes and lancets must be in a rigid plastic container (e.g. bleach bottle), soaked in bleach overnight, drained, and the lid of the container must be taped securely on before being brought to the HHW depot. Automated cart collection The cart program uses an automated collection system. This system uses trucks that allow the driver to control a mechanical arm on the vehicle to pick up and empty the waste carts from the curb into the correct compartment of the truck and return them to the curb. This automated system is faster, more efficient and requires fewer trucks on Guelph s roads. Warm ashes that have cooled will be collected in the green cart. Construction and demolition materials includes carpet, under padding, plaster, drywall, fibreglass insulation, lumber, concrete, or other waste residue resulting from construction, building renovation or a demolition operation. Automotive parts exceeding five kilograms or 11 pounds. Rock, stones or gravel. Tree branches more than five centimetres or two inches in diameter. Infectious material, flesh or tissue from any animal or human. Animal carcass, with the exception of food waste. Photography courtesy of Halton Region The trucks have two separate compartments. One truck collects organics and recyclables, a second truck collects organics and garbage. 10 3 GuelphWaste_Multi-Res_UserGuide_2015.indd Spread 3 of 6 - Pages(10, 3) 10/14/2015 10:29:32 AM
What you need to know GREEN (organics) BLUE (recyclables) GREY (garbage) Blue Cart (recyclables) Cartons and drink boxes ice cream containers polycoat (milk cartons) tetra Paks (juice boxes) Paper books (hard cover removed) boxboard and bristol board cardboard and pizza boxes envelopes (including window envelopes) egg cartons gift bags (rope removed) gift wrap (non-metallic) magazines newspapers and flyers paper and posters shredded paper (in a separate blue plastic bag) telephone books tissue boxes toilet paper rolls A liner is OPTIONAL. Acceptable liners include shredded paper, paper bags, newspaper, flour/sugar/fast food bags, a cereal box, or certified compostable plastic bags. Paper bags and certified compostable plastic bags can be purchased at local retailers. If purchasing compostable plastic bags, look for one or both certification logos to ensure they break down when composted. DO NOT use a liner. Contents must be loose, not bagged or bundled. Shredded paper is the one exception, it must be placed in a transparent blue bag inside the blue cart. It s optional to use a clear bag. Opaque bags are not accepted. Glass bottles jars Metal aluminum (foil and pie plates) paint cans (empty and dry) pop cans steel cans (soup and tuna) bottles and containers (all numbers) detergent bottles medicine bottles (non-prescription) Plastic plant pots, trays and flats tubs and lids from food containers All containers must be empty. Photography courtesy of Halton Region and Niagara Region Sharp objects: Place sharp objects such as broken glass, non-fluorescent light bulbs, razors, blades and knives in a cardboard box no larger than 0.6 metre in any dimension, tape securely and write SHARP OBJECTS on the box. Place the box in your grey cart. Medical needles and lancets must be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot. 4 9 GuelphWaste_Multi-Res_UserGuide_2015.indd Spread 4 of 6 - Pages(4, 9) 10/14/2015 10:29:40 AM
Green Cart (organics) Dairy products butter cheese sour cream yogurt Food scraps coffee filters and grounds cooking oils (solidified) eggs and eggshells herbs nuts and seeds sugar and spices tea bags Grain products bread and cereal flour pasta and rice House plants and flowers Leaf and yard waste can be used to top up your green cart Meat and fish bones and skin fat (solidified) shellfish Fruits and vegetables corn cobs and husks popcorn pumpkins (in pieces) Pet waste (no plastic bags except those displaying the certified compostable logo) feathers hair kitty litter pet feces pet food Other ashes (cooled) dryer lint paper soiled with food (plates, pizza boxes, and muffin cups) paper tissues and towels sawdust (no wood pieces or pressure treated wood) Collection reminders Place items loosely in the cart. Do not cram them in. Overstuffed carts may not empty completely. Ensure the carts are not too full, so the lids can close. Overstuffed carts cause litter to spill out. Bags or items left beside or on top of carts will not be collected. Place cardboard inside the blue cart. The cardboard should fit completely inside the cart (not crammed) in order for the lid to close. Shredded paper must be placed in a transparent blue bag inside the blue cart. Do not sit, climb or stand on the cart. Children should not play in or around the carts. Only place acceptable materials in the carts (refer to the sorting list and waste items not collected at the curb on pages 8-9). All plastics and elastics must be removed. Grey Cart (garbage for landfill) Items that are: NOT compostable NOT recyclable NOT hazardous Including: cotton balls/swabs diapers hygiene products coffee cups styrofoam plastic bags string or rope wire 8 5 GuelphWaste_Multi-Res_UserGuide_2015.indd Spread 5 of 6 - Pages(8, 5) 10/14/2015 10:30:07 AM
Keep them clean The cart design minimizes odour, keeps out pests and is easy to clean. Here are tips to help you keep your carts clean all year long. Keep tight-fitting lids closed. Line the green cart with newspapers, shredded paper, flour/sugar/fast food bags, cereal boxes, or purchase paper liners or certified compostable plastic bags at local retailers. This will help contain any liquids or odours. Sorting guide Green cart organic waste is processed at the Guelph Organic Waste Processing Facility (OWPF) where it is made into nutrient-rich compost. It is then sold to gardening companies, landscapers and greenhouses. Blue cart recyclables are sorted at the Guelph Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), then baled and sold to processing mills to make into new things. Schedule a visit to the City s OWPF or MRF and see your sorting in action! Grey cart garbage is compacted and transported to a landfill in Ontario or shipped to an Energy from Waste Facility. Lining with certified compostable plastic bags can help prevent organic waste from freezing to your cart in the winter. Sprinkle in salt, garden lime or powdered ginger to ward off insects. Pet waste Pet waste and kitty litter can be placed in either your green or grey cart the choice is yours. 1 Put into a paper or certified compostable plastic bag or place loose in the green cart. 2 Put into a clear (colourless) plastic bag and place in the grey cart. In all circumstances, pet waste must be drained of liquid before disposal. Incorrect sorting The automated collection trucks are equipped with a camera to view waste material emptied into the appropriate compartments. This camera enables Solid Waste Resources staff to identify improperly sorted items and follow up with home owners or tenants, as necessary, to address any questions about Guelph s sorting system. 6 7 GuelphWaste_Multi-Res_UserGuide_2015.indd Spread 6 of 6 - Pages(6, 7) 10/14/2015 10:30:19 AM