With every new year, there's a renewal of energy. It can be a time to reflect, set goals and plan to better ourselves and our world. While the challenges of living during a pandemic are carrying over from 2020, with recent vaccine breakthroughs, and our now routine day-to-day coping skills and preparedness, there is a sense of hope and new normalcy.
In waste management, our collection and other services are operating well and don't expect any major changes this year. We will be continuing to encourage our community to reduce, reuse and recycle more through new resources, such as our online learning tools. And we are heartened by the initiatives of other levels of government, such as the federal commitment to the blue economy and building back better with a green economy, and the Province's progress in moving the Blue Box program to producer responsibility.
Let's work together to make it a year of health and positive change in every way we can.
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) |
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Program reminders for the next 3 months |
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JANUARY
For residents in Kitchener and the Townships: January 4 to 8, 18 to 22. For residents in Cambridge and Waterloo: January 11 to 15.
Medical Exemption program: If you generate garbage above the limit due to a medical condition, consider applying for or renewing your medical exemption.
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FEBRUARY
Monday, February 15: No changes to collection on Family Day, but our drop-off sites will be closed to the public.
Beat the February blahs by going on Twitter and searching #BeKindWR to find inspiration and nice ways people are helping each other. Remember to post your kind actions, too!
MARCH
Yard waste collection begins - a welcome sign of spring! Starting the week of March 29, residents in Cambridge and Waterloo can set out yard waste. And the following week, residents in Kitchener and the Townships can begin participating.
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3 ways to customize collection calendars
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Download our Waste Whiz app for free. Set up notifications, receive periodic updates about our programs, and play the sorting game, too!
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Note: If you did not receive a paper version in the mail last month and need one, order a copy by contacting our Call Centre at 519-575-4400.
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Do you have a 2020 collection calendar magnet? Reuse it! Print out and paste on the 2021 update.
Note: In an effort to reduce waste, we are not producing 2021 magnets.
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How to set-out waste in wintery weather |
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Shovel a spot for your items at the end of your driveway, or in the snowbank on the street-side at ground level, and
- Set out items on your collection day by 7 a.m.
- Use dark-coloured garbage bags Do not set out white garbage bags.
- Loosen liner bags from the sides of your green bin.
- Brush off snow that may accumulate to help keep items visible.
- Bring in your empty containers as soon as possible to prevent any being plowed in.
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Reminders on how to deal with obvious environmental impacts of the pandemic |
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It should not come as a surprise that the Region is finding an increase in the amount of both green bin organics and garbage set out at the curb for collection. Afterall, more people are staying home, cooking more, and working from home. (Did you know that a Travelwise survey conducted last fall found that 80 per cent more people in our community are working from home!)
Likewise, there is more garbage set out for collection since there is more use of disposable masks, sanitizing wipes and gloves, as well as recyclables thrown in the garbage when people are sick.
While we will be dealing with pandemic for several more months, each of us still has some control and can help reduce waste, and recycle more by:
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Learning about the costs of food waste in Canada, the federal initiative on food waste reduction, and how to prevent food waste. (If you are an innovator, consider submitting your solution to the Food Waste Reduction Challenge by January 18.)
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Cleaning out your pantry and fridge? Make compost by putting expired food into your green bin (remove/recycle packaging). If the food is still usable, consider donating, as appropriate to local food banks, or the new community fridge.
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Making your climate action pledge! Check out the resources, including waste-related ones, to find ways to make a difference every day.
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Following the do's and don'ts of dealing with facial coverings, including use, cleaning, and disposal.
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Preventing garbage, such as buying items that have packaging which is 100 per cent recyclable through our Blue Box program.
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Using these tips so you don't run out of space in your blue box.
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Contributing to a circular economy. For instance, if you are replacing or getting new electronic devices, look for computer products that contain recycled plastic, and don't forget to gather up and drop off you old devices.
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Our newsletter is changing! |
We'll be sending you waste collection information every three months, instead of monthly.
Why? ENVIRONEWS, our award-winning newsletter with the Region's Water Efficiency Division, has gone online so we want to keep you updated, not overwhelmed!
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Region of Waterloo
Waste Management Division
925 Erb Street West
Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4
Phone: 519-575-4400
TTY: 519-575-4608
Follow us!
Twitter: @WasteWR
Facebook: @ROWWasteManagement
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