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Oakville Residents' Garbage Reduction Has Positive Effects

On April 1, 2013, Halton Region implemented enhancements to its waste collection program, including: the introduction of new acceptable materials in the Blue Box; a new, larger Blue Box (22-gallon); a three garbage bag/can limit; and the introduction of garbage tags for garbage above the new limit.

Resident participation in these changes is already having a positive impact on Halton’s waste diversion.  In the first few months of the new programs, Halton has:

•           distributed over 50,000 new larger Blue Boxes to residents

•           seen an eight per cent increase in the amount of Blue Box and GreenCart materials being collected

•           observed a four per cent decrease in the amount of garbage collected.

"Prior to the commencement of the three bag limit, 85% of households were placing three bags of garbage or less, for curbside collection.  During Phase One of the new program, we are observing 95% of households now placing three bags or less at the curbside for collection." - David Miles - Manager, Waste Planning & Collection

“Halton residents are very committed to waste diversion”, commented Regional Chair Gary Carr. “As a result of these efforts, the life of Halton’s landfill site will be extended by an additional four years, resulting in a long-term savings of $15 million to taxpayers.”

Residents’ efforts support the Region’s Solid Waste Management Strategy, unanimously approved by Halton Regional Council in October 2012, and the goal to reach a 65 per cent residential waste diversion rate by 2016.

The Region is currently diverting approximately 57.5% of waste material handled through various waste management programs and services (e.g. curbside residential collection, multi-residential collection, HWMS Container Station).  Single family households are diverting more than 60% of their waste by way of the curbside collection programs, backyard composting and the disposal of household hazardous waste and electrical/electronic waste at the Region’s HHW Depot, during Special Waste Drop-Off Day events or at approved retail outlets.

With the new garbage bag/can limit, Halton residents may place out three bags/cans or less at the curb every other week. More than three bags/cans require a garbage tag, up to a total of six garbage bags/cans maximum (three untagged/three tagged). The maximum weight per garbage bag/can is 23 kg (50 lbs).

"Households with young families or addressing a medical matter, may receive upon request 30 diaper bag tags that they may use throughout the year to dispose of diaper waste at no additional cost.  The diaper bag tag can be used to place garbage above the three bag limit." says David Miles.

"Households with young families or addressing a medical matter, may receive upon request 30 diaper bag tags that they may use throughout the year to dispose of diaper waste at no additional cost.  The diaper bag tag can be used to place garbage above the three bag limit." says David Miles.

For residents who require garbage tags, they will be available for purchase at select retail locations, municipal buildings and online at http://www.halton.ca/garbagetags starting today, Monday, August 19, 2013. Garbage tags cost $2 per tag and can be purchased in sheets of five tags ($10 per sheet). Residents who require garbage tags, for garbage above the three garbage bag/can limit, can begin using the $2 garbage tags starting Monday, September 9, 2013.

To help residents transition to the new garbage bag/can limit, complimentary garbage tags have been available to residents to use from April 1 to September 7, 2013. All complimentary tags expire September 7, 2013. The $2 garbage tags do not expire.

For more information on the new waste collection enhancements, access Halton by dialing 311 or visit www.halton.ca/waste.



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