City Government

Lighten Up! … On the Garbage

July 16, 2012

City of Edmonton waste collectors are dealing with seasonal high volumes of yard waste. To help keep collectors safe it is important to keep garbage bags and cans at a safe weight.

“On average, each day a collector picks up the equivalent of about 10 subcompact cars, which is between 7,000 and 10,000 kg,” said Trent Tompkins, Director of Collection Services with the City’s Waste Management Services. “We have to make sure that each bag is manageable to prevent collectors – and residents – from getting hurt. If you find it difficult to pick up or if you have to drag it to the curb, it’s probably too heavy.”

Garbage bags or cans must weigh no more than 20 kg. Each bundle of brush or tree trimmings should also be below this limit, securely tied, and no longer than 1.2 m. Sharp objects such as broken mirrors or windows, must be safely packaged in puncture proof containers and marked as such.

“During the spring and summer months, we see a large spike in the amount of garbage bags and cans set out for collection,” says Tompkins. “Because yard waste is the greatest source of material this time of year, the City encourages residents to help reduce their waste by grasscycling and composting.”

Grasscycling involves leaving clippings on the lawn after mowing, which promotes healthy lawns and requires less time and effort.