Local waste collection delayed —

Inclement weather, extra holiday garbage slowing collection

WATERLOO REGION — Cold weather and extra holiday trash is causing garbage collection delays across Waterloo Region.

“The trucks are having a little bit of trouble keeping up,” said Kathleen Barsoum, waste co-ordinator for the region. “It really is the higher volume and the extreme cold.”

Residents are thanked for their patience while crews work to catch up.

“We do apologize if some streets are a little bit delayed,” Barsoum said.

If garbage remains at the curb the following day, people are asked to call the region’s hotline at 519-575-4400.

Typical holiday volume is being compounded by the recent burst of wintry weather.

“Wind, cold, snow: we’ve got it all,” Barsoum said.

Residents can do their part to make it easier for crews to efficiently gather the garbage.

It’s best to put out garbage the morning of collection day by 7 a.m., rather than the night before.

That’s especially the case when flurries are in the forecast overnight and chances are good anything at the curb will be covered in a layer of the white stuff.

“It’s hard to see some of the containers, some of them are buried in snow,” Barsoum said.

Keeping the green bin in the garage or near the house until the morning is also wise because there have been reports of contents freezing to the container.

Using a liner when it’s cold and an egg carton underneath makes it easier to dump chilled compost from green bins into the trucks.

Don’t put items for pickup on high snow banks which makes it difficult for crews to reach. Instead dig out a ledge in the snow or place garbage at the end of the driveway.

If you have extra stuff to get rid of over the holidays, don’t despair.

Extra green bin waste can go in a paper or compostable bag on top of the container.

Wrapping and tissue paper can go in the recycling bin in a plastic bag to keep it safe

from gusty winds.

Double the usual number of garbage bags is allowed this week and next — eight untagged bags or cans for a single-family home.

Christmas tree collection starts next week and continues the following week.

Trees collected during those two weeks will be chipped and turned into compost, rather than go to the landfill. Remove lights and stand before putting it out at the curb.

Garbage pickup is a day later across the region over the holidays.

“Everybody’s day is pushed back again next week,” Barsoum said.

The region’s waste calendar will arrive in mailboxes in mid January. While you’re waiting, turn the page on the 2017 calendar for the first month of 2018.