Yard waste collection delays in Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Pickering, Scugog and Uxbridge

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham is advising residents of yard waste collection delays in the Town of Ajax, Township of Brock, Municipality of Clarington, City of Pickering, Township of Scugog and Township of Uxbridge. Collection delays are expected to continue on a weekly basis until June.

Why: There is an industry-wide labour shortage of truck drivers across Canada, which has impacted the Region’s contractors who provide waste collection services. This in addition to other factors causing delays, such as worker shortages related to COVID-19.

Durham’s priority is to provide daily collection of our core services, including blue box recycling, green bin organics and garbage. Please note that collection of these services is extending into the evening hours, often until 8 p.m.

We are making every effort possible to collect yard waste, however, collection may occur the day(s) following the scheduled collection date. For example, if your yard waste, green bin, recycling, and garbage are scheduled for Tuesday, the collection of yard waste may or may not be delayed and take place on Wednesday or the day following. Residents are asked to keep their yard waste materials out until they are collected.

We recognize the inconvenience and appreciate the understanding and patience of our residents during these challenging times.

We are encouraging 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 by visiting durham.ca/waste. You can also use the app to report a missed collection if your recycling, green bin or garbage is not collected by 8 p.m. on collection day.

Collection reminders:

• Set your waste out by 7 a.m. the morning of your collection day. Collection may occur until 8 p.m. and yard waste may even be collected the next day.
• Containers and bags should not weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each. Items that are too heavy will not be collected.
• Ensure all green bin organic waste is bagged in 100 per cent compostable or paper liners.
• 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.
• Wrap broken glass and sharp objects in a cardboard box, clearly labelled as “Sharp Objects,” before setting it out beside your garbage for collection.

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 requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.