Potential waste collection delays

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham is advising residents of potential collection delays.

Why: COVID-19 cases are contributing to labour shortages.

Blue box recycling, green bin organics and garbage that is not completed on a regularly scheduled collection day will be collected the following day. Residents are asked to keep their materials out until they are collected.

Please be aware that due to staffing shortages collection services are extending into the evening hours.

We recognize the inconvenience and appreciate the understanding of residents as we work through these challenging times.

We encourage residents to sign up for service alerts by downloading the Durham Region Waste App through Google Play or the App Store; or by searching for their address using our online calendar tool at durham.ca/waste. Service alerts provide you with real time service updates when delays are occurring.

Winter set-out tips:

• Place blue boxes, green bin and garbage on cleared parts of your driveway. Do not put them on top of snowbanks or icy patches.
• During heavy snowfalls, waste materials must be set back from the curb approximately three metres. This helps prevent waste materials from being knocked over or buried during snow clearing operations.
• Ensure all garbage is bagged and securely tied, even if it is in garbage cans.
• Ensure all green bin organic waste is bagged in 100 per cent compostable bags.
• Any loose garbage or loose organics will not be collected.
• Please put used single-use face masks and gloves in the garbage.
• Place COVID-19 rapid at-home test kit materials (including plastic tray) in the garbage bag. Place paper (e.g. instructions, box) in the papers Blue Box.

• All waste materials must be at the curb before 7 a.m. on your collection day.
• Blue boxes, green bin and garbage cannot weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each.

For more information, please visit durham.ca/waste, email waste@durham.ca, call 1-800-667-5671 or download the Durham Region Waste App.

– 30 –

For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.