Spring is often when we begin to clean up our yards or start a do-it-yourself renovation, often leading to an increase in the amount of garbage and recycling per household. Despite our best efforts, many of us are unfamiliar with how to properly dispose of waste. Check out our quick refresher to improve your household disposal habits.
Re-use, reduce, recycle
Before you start preparing waste for collection, you’ll want to decide if any items can be re-used or donated. Doing so will ensure you are limiting the waste you produce on a weekly basis. Once you’ve looked through everything, you can then start to put your recyclables in their proper bins
The blue box is dedicated to containers and rigid plastic containers. Some common items that should go in these bins include: cardboard cans; cartons and drink boxes; empty paint and aerosol cans; glass jars and bottles; metal food and drink containers; plastic and foam containers; plastic bottles, jugs and pails; plastic containers and lids; and plastic flowerpots.
As for the grey box, this is where paper, cardboard and plastic wraps/bags should go. This includes but is not limited to books (with hard covers removed); paper; magazines; cardboard boxes; toilet paper/paper towel rolls; plastic bags/stretchy outer-wrap stuffed into one bag and tied; shredded paper in a tied clear plastic bag
The Green Bin and Yard Waste
The purpose of your green bin is to stop biodegradable waste and compostable goods from going to landfills. If you are using this method, you must make sure you are lining your bin with the proper material such as a certified compostable bag or newspaper.
Items that are typically placed in here include coffee grounds, filters and tea bags; tissue paper; food waste; paper drink trays and egg cartons; paper towels, plates and bags. This is also where you’d put any yard waste like leaves, small twigs and hedge trimmings.
It's important to remember that grass clippings do not go in here. As a matter of fact, they aren’t even collected at the curb. The Niagara Region suggests leaving these in your lawn as they only take a few days to break down and return nutrients to the soil. If you would like to dispose of your clippings, you can do so for free at any landfill in Niagara.
Garbage
Now that most of your items are separated, it’s time to get your garbage ready. Items that can go in the garbage include greeting cards; ceramics; candy wrappers; juice boxes; paper coffee and drink cups; coffee pods; cigarette ashes and butts; and diapers.
Other services
Now you might be thinking – what do I do with my computer, half-used paint and aerosol cans or old fridge? The Niagara Region has various services in place that will take those hard-to-sort items off your hands. These services include hazardous waste depots, seasonal curbside pickups for batteries, and scheduled pickups of large items or appliances. Click here to check for service availability.
CAA Members also save 10% on 1-800-GOT-JUNK full-service garbage removal, a great solution for major projects and renovations around the house.
As we clean up our homes and neighborhoods this season, it's important that we do so responsibly. Visit the Niagara Region's website for a full list of waste disposal instructions.
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