New Waste Program Welcome Booklet

YOUR CARTS ARE READY TO ROLL! Organics and curbside collection begins June 4, 2018.

This is your waste collection guide.

Inside you’ll learn about: • • • • • • •

hat to do before the collection program begins.

W Important dates.

How to use and store your new carts.

Your collection zone and pick-up schedule.

How to properly sort your waste.

Helpful tips, hints, and FAQs. Program benefits.

LET’S JUMP IN!

KNOWWHEREITGOES.CA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED What you need to know first:

1

GETTING STARTED

• T he new organics and curbside waste collection program starts on June 4 for all residents.

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DOWNLOAD THE APP

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THE BASICS

• P lease roll your carts up to your property for proper storage (se e storage instructions on page 7).

WHAT IS CHANGING? HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

• O rganics carts will not be collected until the week of June 4.

5

SETTING OUT YOUR CARTS

• Y ou can choose to use your black cart for garbage immediately; however, bags will continue to be collected until June 4.

7

STORING YOUR CARTS

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CART CARE

8

COLLECTION MAP

• You can dispose of your recyclables as your currently do.

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ZONE A COLLECTION SCHEDULE

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ZONE B COLLECTION SCHEDULE

• A fter June 4, only the provided carts will be collected with your blue bags.

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KNOW WHERE IT GOES ORGANICS RECYCLABLES GARBAGE

Want to know more and stay up-to-date?

Download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app today!

On the app you will find: • A personalized collection calendar • The ability to report missed collections • Weekly pick-up reminders • Detailed sorting information • Information about special collection events • And much more!

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FORT SASK

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WASTE TRANSFER STATION

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SPECIAL COLLECTION EVENTS

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TRANSFER STATION HOURS AND LOCATION

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OOPS STICKER

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MANAGING YOUR CARTS HELPFUL HINTS ODOUR AND PEST CONTROL

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THE COST OF CONTAMINATION

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PROCESS OF ORGANICS

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BENEFITS OF THE NEW PROGRAM

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

THE BASICS

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS YOUR ORGANICS CART AND KITCHEN CATCHER

Fort Saskatchewan Waste Services will now include organics and curbside cart collection. This program is an effort to reduce landfill waste and divert up to 80 per cent of our city’s waste materials.

Your green cart is for organic materials. Your vented kitchen catcher will conveniently collect organics in the kitchen.

In 2017, Fort Saskatchewan diverted less than 30 per cent of its waste. We can do better. With your help, we will create a greener, healthier, more sustainable community for generations to come.

SORT IT:

Here are some basics to help you master the system and become a waste wizard.

(Complete list of compostable materials on page 12)

WHAT IS CHANGING?

• Food waste, kitchen scraps • Meat, dairy, bones • Yard waste, grass clippings

In addition to organics and cart collection, three major changes are coming with the new program roll-out: Collection Volumes: Garbage and organics volume is limited to their cart container size. Do not overfill your carts —take excess materials to the Transfer Station.

Collection Frequency: Garbage will be collected every other week. Organics will be collected weekly in the summer and every other week in the winter. Recycling will continue to be collected weekly.

Collection Calendar: There will now be ‘Zone A’ and ‘Zone B’ collection schedules. Find your collection zone and schedule on pages 8-10.

• Soiled paper products • Greasy pizza boxes • Compostable bags

IMPORTANT ORGANICS CART INFORMATION: • • • • •

Organics placed in non-compostable plastic bags will not be collected.

Place your organic materials into the cart directly or buy compostable bags, which help reduce odour and mess.

All organics must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Materials left outside the cart will not be collected.

Cart contents must weigh less than 200 pounds.

Stones and rocks are NOT included in the organics collection program.

COLLECTION FREQUENCY AND VOLUMES GARBAGE ORGANICS

Collected every other week

YOUR GARBAGE CART

Collected weekly in the summer Every other week in the winter

Your black cart is for garbage and will hold most household items that aren’t organic or can’t be recycled.

RECYCLING VOLUME AMOUNTS

Collected weekly

SORT IT: (Complete list of garbage materials on page 14)

Limited to container size

Don’t worry — with the introduction of organics, households will naturally create less garbage.

• Meat trays/liners • Nails, screws, nuts, bolts • Metallic or shiny materials

• Styrofoam • Vacuum bags • Dryer sheets

IMPORTANT GARBAGE CART INFORMATION: • All garbage must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Materials left outside the cart will not be collected.

• Place garbage bags directly into the cart • Cart must weight less than 200 pounds.

CART SIZES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Your new carts have a 240-litre capacity, and should be large enough to hold all of your waste until collection day. If you have less waste and wish to downsize either of your carts to a 120-litre cart, please call the Waste Hotline at 780-992-6218.

We ask that you test your carts first before deciding on a smaller cart. Smaller carts can be obtained after June 18, 2018.

BLUE RECYCLING BAGS Recycling will continue to be placed and collected in blue bags. If you had a blue cart in the pilot project, it will no longer be collected.

SORT IT: (Complete list of recyclable materials on page 13)

• Paper • Cardboard

• Tin/aluminum cans and containers • Rigid plastic packaging

IMPORTANT RECYCLE BAG INFORMATION: • S tyrofoam, disposable plastics (grocery bags, food wrap, sandwich bags), and glass are not considered recycling and should be placed in your garbage.

• Cardboard boxes must be broken down to a maximum size of 2 ft x 3 ft. They should be stacked and placed underneath blue bags for collection.

• Containers placed in recycling must be rinsed and dried.

• Blue bags must weigh less than 50 pounds.

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SETTING OUT YOUR CARTS Placing your carts at the curb is easy—your carts have been designed and tested with maneuverability and ergonomic performance in mind. The wheeled cart enables you to push or pull more weight than you would be able to carry.

USE THESE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS TO PLACE YOUR CARTS AND RECYCLING:

PLACING CARTS OUT DURING STREET MAINTENANCE. During winter snow clearing, and spring street sweeping, you will need to change where you place your cart on collection day. Place your carts at the end of your driveway during these events.

On all other collection days, please continue to place your carts out as before.

If You Have a Boulevard and Sidewalk: • Place the cart out at the end of your driveway in between the sidewalk and the road.

• Make sure your cart and recycling bag do not block the sidewalk.

Note: Do not place carts directly underneath low, overhanging tree limbs or utility lines, or else your carts cannot be emptied.

If You Have a Sidewalk Only: • Place the cart out at the end of your driveway directly behind the sidewalk.

• Do not have the cart too far up your driveway or the cart cannot be reached and emptied by the collection trucks.

• Make sure your cart and recycling bag do not block the sidewalk.

If You Have a Curb: • P lace the wheels of the cart in the gutter between the curb and the road.

• Front of cart must face the street.

• Place the recycling bag against the curb.

If You Do Not Have a Curb: • P lace the cart out at the edge of your driveway and the road. Ensure that the cart is on a flat area and the wheels are closest to the ditch of your driveway.

• Front of cart must face the street.

If You Live in a Cul-De-Sac: • D o not park in the cul-de-sac on collection day as collection trucks have a difficult time maneuvering around the vehicles and cannot access the roll-out carts.

• Follow the appropriate instructions for curb or no curb collection.

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REMINDER: • Cart lids must be completely closed or they will not be collected.

• Carts and recycling bags must be out by 7am.

• Carts and recycling must be 1 arm length (1 metre) apart from each other.

• Carts and recycling must be unobstructed by parked vehicles, fences, power lines, etc.

ALLEY COLLECTION RULES. If your carts and recycling is collected in an alley, please follow these guidelines to ensure your waste is collected: • C arts must be pulled away from the fence and other permanent structures to be collected. Carts that do not have enough clearance or are not at the edge of the road will not be collected.

• Carts and recycling bag must have 1 arm length (1 metre) clearance space between them and any obstructions, including: fences, trees, garage roofs, power lines, etc.

• Remove any and all other obstructions from the alley to allow space for the collection trucks, including parked vehicles.

• Carts must be stored against a fence or another permanent structure on non-collection days.

• Carts cannot block vehicles or traffic.

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STORING YOUR CARTS

COLLECTION MAP

On non-collection days, your carts must be brought up and stored on your property—not on the road or boulevard. Your cart footprint is slightly larger than an average-sized garbage container, and it rolls and maneuvers easily. Here are some great places to store your carts: • • • • •

Inside or against your garage Neatly against the side of your home In your backyard Against a fence Wherever you currently keep your garbage

TIP: Carts should be stored in a cool, shaded area to prevent odours and pests.

TIP: Download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app and enter in your address: the app will tell you your zone and send you reminders of your collection days.

CART CARE

FRI B FRI A

WED A

With a little care, your carts will last a long time. Here are some tips to help you keep your carts in top-notch shape:

TRANSFER STATION RECYCLE DEPOT

FIRE

• C lean the carts the same way you would clean a garbage can — wash them periodically and allow them to dry completely.

• Lids should open and close easily.

• The City of Fort Saskatchewan will replace any cart that breaks or cracks through normal use. If your cart is damaged or needs repairs, call the Waste Hotline at 780-992-6218.

• IMPORTANT: Carts must not be altered or painted.

FRI A

WED B MON B TUES B

NOTICE: RECYCLING CHANGES IN EFFECT

RCMP

PLACE THESE ITEMS IN YOUR GARBAGE OR TAKE THEM TO THE TRANSFER STATION.

THUR B

THUR A

THUR B

TUES A MON A

Due to an industry change, the following materials are NO LONGER ACCEPTED as recycling: • D isposable Plastics Grocery bags, sandwich bags, food wrap, etc.

• Glass If it's a returnable, take it to the bottle depot.

• Styrofoam Packing peanuts, styrofoam egg cartons, meat trays.

MON A

WED A

How to Use the Collection Map and Schedules: 1.

F ind where you live on the collection map. Check what collection zone you are in.

2. I f you are in any of the ‘A’ collection zones, refer to page 9 for your 2018 collection schedule.

3. I f you are in any of the ‘B’ collection zones, refer to page 10 for your 2018 collection schedule.

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COLLECTION SCHEDULES

JUNE

JUNE

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SUN

SAT

JULY SUN

MON

AUGUST TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

OCTOBER SUN

9

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

ZONE B

ZONE A

SUN

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

*

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

SUN

SUN

MON

TUES

CHECK THE BOXES AS A REMINDER TO WHICH COLLECTION DAY APPLIES TO YOU

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

MON

TUES

WED

AUGUST

JULY

SEPTEMBER

SUN THUR

FRI

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN FRI

MON

TUES

SEPTEMBER WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

WED

TUES

THUR

FRI

SAT

SAT

OCTOBER THUR

SUN

MON

TUES

NOVEMBER WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SAT

BLACK GARBAGE CART COLLECTION

GREEN ORGANICS CART COLLECTION BLUE BAGS COLLECTION

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION — COLLECTION MOVED

SUN

MON

TUES

*

WED

DECEMBER THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

COLLECTED * ORGANICS EVERY OTHER WEEK

STARTING IN NOVEMBER

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KNOW WHERE IT GOES

ORGANICS

Think it’s just about grass clippings and leaves?

Think again—you can put all sorts of natural materials in your green cart: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Here’s the Simplest Way to Sort Your Waste: • Place your recyclables into a blue bag.

• Sort your organics from your home into the kitchen catcher, then into the green organics cart.

You can place organics directly into the cart, or you can use a fully compostable bag.

• Sort your remaining waste—which won’t be much—into the garbage cart.

• On collection day, set out the carts and recycling bag(s) according to your collection schedule and requirements for cart placement.

FORT SASK If you’re not sure where an item should go, download our ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app and look the item up on our Waste Wizard.

Its got everything you need to know to make curbside collection easy! See your collection schedule, get notified of updates on service, and learn handy tips and tricks!

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WASTE

Bones, meat, fish Bread, baked goods Coffee grounds, coffee filters Cooled, solidified grease Corn stalks Eggs, egg shells Facial tissue Flour, grains, dough Food scraps Fruits, vegetable peels Greasy pizza boxes Leaves, yard waste Microwave popcorn bags Paper cups Paper towel Pasta Pet waste, cat litter in compostable bags Plant material (limited soil) Pumpkins Rice Soiled paper Tea and tea bags Twigs

USEFUL TIPS: • I MPORTANT: Plastic, metal and batteries should NOT be placed into your organics cart. These items cause major contamination issues. This increases processing costs and the final compost may not be usable. Organics carts containing these, or any other non-organic materials, will not be collected.

• Do not place your organics in a non-compostable bag. Place them directly into the cart, or buy compostable bags, which help reduce odour and pests.

• If the item is made from something that was once living, then chances are it’s organic.

• Organics and other compostable materials are turned into valuable compost. In a landfill, organics may never break down.

• The City of Fort Saskatchewan conducts audits of organics carts to ensure compliancy.

For more information on organics, download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app.

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RECYCLABLES

There is no limit to the amount of blue bags you can leave out for collection.

Help us keep the environment green by placing these materials in blue bags:

GARBAGE

After sorting our your recyclables and organics, most of what is left is considered your garbage, including: • • • • • • • •

Paper • Christmas cards, non-foil gift wrap • Junk mail, paper bags, envelopes, paper egg cartons, paperback and hard cover books (remove hard cover), phone books • Newspapers, inserts, magazines, catalogues • White writing and computer paper Cardboard • F lattened cereal and food boxes (remove and discard liner) • Flattened corrugated cardboard boxes • Flattened shoe boxes and brown paper bags Metals (no loose lids: trap inside can or discard)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• Aluminum cans • Aluminum containers, pie plates • Clean tin cans Plastics • • • • • • • • •

Rigid plastic containers Detergent, fabric softener bottles Empty windshield washer containers Household cleaner bottles Ice cream pails (remove metal handle) Margarine, yogurt containers Shampoo and conditioner bottles Vinegar bottles Vitamin bottles

• • • • • •

USEFUL TIPS: • D o not put glass, styrofoam, or disposable plastics (e.g. grocery bags, sandwich bags, food wrap, etc.) in your blue bag. Place these items in your garbage.

• Do not put shredded paper in your blue bag. Place shredded paper in your organics or bring it to the Recycling Station.

• Cardboard boxes must be broken down to a maximum size of 2 ft x 3 ft. They should be stacked and placed underneath blue bags for collection. Cardboard that cannot be cut or flattened should be brought to the Recycling Station.

• Empty and rinse containers. Remove caps and lids and place in recycling separately.

• Take all refundable items (e.g. juice boxes, pop cans, milk jugs, wine bottles, etc.) to the Bottle Depot.

Air fresheners (non-aerosol) Dirty aluminum foil Bakeware, pots, pans Blinds (must fit inside cart) Broken toys Candles Carpet (must fit inside cart) CDs, DVDs (or bring to an Enviroservice event) Ceramics, dishes Cigarettes Cleaning wipes (cosmetic and cleaning) Clothing (not reusable) Contact lenses Cotton balls (soiled) Crayons Dental floss Disposable diaper wipes Disposable diapers Dryer sheets Elastic bands Feminine hygiene items Flour bags (or any bag that has a lining) Foil wrappers Frozen juice cans Furnace filters, air filters Glass (or bring to Recycling Station) Incandescent light bulbs Latex products

• Leather • Magnets • Make-up remover pads, Q-tips • Meat trays/liners • Metal rods, coat hangers • Nails, screws, nuts, bolts • Needles (in a sealed, hard container) • Non-recyclable packaging materials (those without a recycle symbol) • Paper clips, pens, pencils • Pet food bags • Pet waste in plastic bags • Pharmaceuticals • Potato chip bags or containers • Disposable plastic, grocery and sandwich, bags, cling wrap • SOS pads • Toothbrush, toothpaste tubes • Treated wood • Utensils (not reusable) • Vacuum bags

USEFUL TIPS: • All garbage must fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed or it will not be collected.

• Place garbage bags directly into the cart.

• Garbage outside the cart will not be collected.

For more information on garbage, download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app.

For more information on recyclables, download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app.

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WASTE TRANSFER STATION

OOPS STICKER

• Batteries, fluorescent bulbs and fixtures, smoke detectors

An “Oops!” sticker will be placed on your materials explaining why the materials were not collected, and you will need to re-sort these materials. Materials left behind due to improper sorting will be collected on your next scheduled collection day. If materials need to be removed before then, you will be required to deposit them at the Transfer Station for a fee.

Oversized, hazardous and electronic waste is not collected at the curb. Please drop it off at Fort Saskatchewan’s Recycle & Transfer Station, or bring it to a Hazardous and Electronic Waste Event.

• Paint, used oil, household cleaners, pesticides • Heavy/bulky waste including furniture, construction debris and branches

Sorting your materials incorrectly may result in your waste not being collected. This is to avoid contaminating the collection truck and spoiling all the other materials it is transporting.

• Propane tanks

For a comprehensive list of items and waste not collected at the curb, download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app.

REMEMBER—the waste system depends on sorting your materials correctly.

SPECIAL COLLECTION EVENTS Household Large Item Pickup • Up to two large items (fridge, mattress, couch, etc.) will be collected during this week.

• Takes place in Spring each year.

Toxic Round-Up • Drop off hazardous waste and electronics for proper disposal.

• Takes place in Spring each year.

Christmas Tree Collection • Set out your natural Christmas tree for curbside collection.

• Occurs in January each year. *NEW* Extra Yard Waste Pickup • Put out unlimited yard waste in brown paper bags for curbside collection.

• Occurs Spring and Fall each year.

TRANSFER STATION HOURS AND LOCATION 8609 - 111 Street Phone: 780.992.6152 Email: Waste@fortsask.ca

Transfer Station Hours: 7 days a week, 9am - 5pm Closed on all stat holidays Recycle Station Hours: (Located at the Transfer Station) 7 days a week, open 24 hours a day 15

MANAGING YOUR CARTS

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR CARTS: • If organics become stuck, use a broom or shovel handle to loosen them.

• Put your carts out for collection even if they are not full.

• Clean out your refrigerator/freezer the night before organics collection.

ODOUR AND PEST CONTROL: • Store your carts in shaded or covered areas to avoid the heat.

• Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda, powdered lime, or bleach-free laundry detergent at the bottom of your carts.

• Wash your carts out if they become soiled.

• Wrap wet or smelly materials in paper bags or soiled boxes.

TIP: Layer your organics cart with newspaper and other dry organics to help prevent sticking, odours, and pests.

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THE COST OF CONTAMINATION

BENEFITS OF THE NEW PROGRAM

LITTLE MISTAKES LEAD TO BIG COSTS.

By working together and sorting our waste properly, we can reduce our impact on the environment and lower the cost of waste removal. If we each do our part today, we can enjoy a greener, more sustainable Fort Saskatchewan tomorrow.

Every little sorting mistake matters—from the meat liner in your blue bag to the plastic grocery bag in your organics cart. The cost for the City to mechanically or manually remove garbage from recycling and organics is not cheap. Plus, a small sorting mistake can contaminate an entire load, leading to a lower diversion rate, and higher greenhouse gas emissions.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:

ECONOMIC BENEFITS:

• Divert up to 80 per cent of our waste.

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reduce landfill waste.

• I t costs the City less to compost organic materials than it does to send them to the landfill.

• Organics collection provides a valuable resource for Alberta

Keep contamination costs down by educating yourself on how to sort waste. Before long, sorting will become natural, and we can all enjoy a greener, more sustainable city at a much lower cost.

THE ORGANICS PROCESS WHY ORGANIC COLLECTION?

Organic material that ends up in the landfill decomposes without oxygen and releases methane—a greenhouse gas that’s 23x more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting organics to a composting facility, we save money and the environment.

Currently, Fort Saskatchewan is sending over 70% of its nongarbage materials to the landfill!

WHAT HAPPENS TO ORGANIC MATERIAL ONCE IT’S COLLECTED? • The material collected in green carts is taken to a composting facility where it is used to make compost.

• Compost is a valuable material for helping grow plants, maintaining soil structure, and retaining soil nutrients.

• Materials made from composting provides a product that is beneficial for Alberta.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is NOT changing with the new collection schedule?

• Y our collection day. For example, if you currently receive collection on Monday, your waste materials will still be collected on Monday under the new schedule.

• Your recycling will still be collected every week in blue bags. NOTE: For residents currently on the pilot project, this means that you will no longer be able to use your blue cart for your recyclable materials.

CONSUMERS GARDEN AND FOOD ORGANICS

RECYCLED ORGANICS

Why are we adding organics to our waste program?

• W e love our City and we want to keep it clean, safe and healthy.

• A recent study revealed that approximately 60% of the waste Fort Sask residents are sending to the landfill is organic and could be composted.

• With your help, we are joining many other municipalities across Canada to ensure those valuable organic materials are used to make compost rather than being wasted in a landfill.

I don’t have a lot of yard waste, why do I need an organics cart?

COLLECTION COMPOSTING

• O rganic material that will be accepted in this program is everything from meat, bones and food scraps to soiled paper and cardboard. This material is being sent to a commercial composting facility, which means you can put organic materials in the cart that you wouldn’t be able to in your backyard composter, such as raw meat and dairy products.

• Was the material produced from something that was once living? If the answer is yes, chances are this item can be placed in your organics cart! If you’re not sure where an item should go, download our ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app and look the item up on our Waste Wizard.

Why is there no blue cart?

ORGANIC RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY

SHREDDING AND STACKING

The decision to stick with manual recycling collection in blue bags was a tough one. The three main reasons why we ultimately decided on manual collection include:

ADVANCED RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY

• Blue bags allow for unlimited recycling.

• Fewer carts for you to store and place on the road.

• Contamination rates are proven to be higher in municipalities with blue carts. Blue bags are transparent and therefore allow us to avoid collecting bags containing a lot of non-recyclable materials. When too many non-recyclables enter the processing facility, our costs for sorting the material increases and it compromises the marketability of the materials that are actually recyclable. Higher costs for recycling lead to higher rates for collection.

DECONTAMINATION

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To learn more, please visit KnowWhereItGoes.ca or download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app.

For further questions, please call 780.992.6218 or email waste@fortsask.ca

Want to know more and stay up-to-date?

Download the ‘Fort Sask Waste’ app today!

On the app you will find: • A personalized collection calendar • The ability to report missed collections • Weekly pick-up reminders • Detailed sorting information • Information about special collection events • And much more!

FORT SASK

WASTE