City moving to every other week garbage collection on Sept. 21

The City of Orillia is moving to every other week garbage collection on Sept. 21, 2015. Recycling, green bin and yard waste will still be collected weekly.

“Moving to every other week garbage is an exciting change for the City of Orillia, but we also understand it may be a big change for your family,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “By using the resources available to divert waste from landfill, we are building a cleaner, greener city together.”

On Aug. 27, Orillia households will be mailed an enhanced waste collection guide and mini collection calendar detailing the changes in garbage collection. Waste collection days remain the same; the only change is that garbage is picked up every other week. Collection times may vary, so it is important that residents have garbage, recycling, green bin and yard waste out by 7 a.m. on their collection day to ensure pickup. 

The City is introducing every other week garbage to reduce the amount of divertible waste ending up in the City’s landfill. Fifty per cent of what goes in the garbage should go into the recycling box and green bin. By collecting garbage every other week, the City is encouraging residents to use their recycling box and green bin to their full potential. The City is also anticipating a cost saving of more than $44,000 per year with the introduction of every other week garbage.

“Thirty years ago, people could set out as many garbage bags as they wanted and they would be trucked off to a landfill,” said Greg Preston, the City’s Manager of Waste Management. “As landfills across Ontario fill and new ones become harder to set up, municipalities are having to look at ways we can prolong the life of our existing landfills.”

Use the following tips to reduce odours in your garbage and make the transition to every other week garbage collection easier:

• Use your green bin for food scraps. You can now include dairy products, cooked meat and bones in the green bin.
• Use a rigid garbage container to store your garbage. The maximum weight for a garbage bag or container is 20 kg (44 lbs).
• Bring bagged diapers or tagged garbage directly to the Waste Diversion Site at 100 Kitchener St. for free drop-off.
• Compost your pet waste in a separate backyard composter.

For more information visit orillia.ca/recyclingtips, refer to the attached Frequently Asked Questions sheet, or call the Waste Diversion Site at 705-325-3522.

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Greg Preston
Manager of Waste Management
705-325-2444
gpreston@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca

Attachments

• Every Other Week garbage collection frequently asked questions