Waste Collection Safety Tips

Help our Collectors Stay Safe 

The warm weather is inspiring household and yard clean up. For your collector’s safety and your own, it is important to:

• Keep your black garbage bag light when you fill it with leaves and lawn thatch. Your collector will appreciate if you keep it under 15 kg.
• Tie your branches and brush into small bundles no more than 1.2 m (4 ft) in length, and weighing no more than you can easily lift.

• Ensure a clear line of access to your waste on collection day. Park your vehicle off the street on collection day, if possible.
• Place garbage and recycling bags as close to the street or alley as possible; avoid placing waste on top or behind dirt piles.
• If your waste is collected in the alley, be sure to trim overhanging tree branches to allow easy access for garbage trucks.

Video depicts the issue of bags that are too heavy. Please keep bags and cans under 20kg (44lbs).

Keep it Light

Each garbage bag or filled can should be lighter than 20 kg (44 lb.) You should be able to carry each bag or can with one hand. Each bundle of brush or tree trimmings should also be below this limit, securely tied, and no longer than 1.2 m (4 ft).

Box and Label Sharps

Please ensure all glass, nails, sheet metal scraps, and other sharps are safely packaged in puncture proof containers and marked as such. For information about safely disposing of needles, syringes and other medical sharps, please visit our Needles and Syringes page.

Use the Right Can

Buying a new garbage can? Bylaw 17555 requires that cans be less than 100 litres and have fixed non-swiveling handles.

Make it Safe to Reach Your Trash

Please keep your waste collection site clean and tidy year-round. In the summer, trim back any trees or bushes around your garbage stand and remove wasps or hornet nests. In the winter, clear away snow and ice; sand if necessary.

Your waste collector thanks you for enabling them to do their job safely!