Here is a list of common reasons why your waste may have been left at the curb and helpful tips to make sure that your collection is not missed:
| General |
| Late set out |
- Place your materials at the curb before 7:00 a.m. so you don't miss the collection truck.
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| Over weight |
- Your materials may be too heavy. Garbage bags, yard waste and green bins have weight limits of 20 kg (44 lbs.).
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| Not within reach |
- Placing materials within 30cm (1 foot) of the curb and at ground level will help our collection staff be more efficient and reduce worker injury. In the winter, be sure to place your materials in an area that is free of snow and ice.
- Parked cars or snow banks make it difficult for collection operators to see and collect your waste.
- To reduce worker injury, materials should be placed at ground level at the end of your driveway in an area that is free of snow and ice. Make sure your materials are visible and accessible.
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| Not acceptable |
- household hazardous waste (syringes, batteries, paint, oil etc.), construction/demolition waste (drywall, wood, bricks), and grass clippings are a few common materials that should not be set out at the curb for collection.
- Visit the Region of Durham's Waste Management Facility in Oshawa or hire a private contractor to collect unacceptable materials.
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| Not your collection day |
- Don't count on your neighbours - check your collection schedule to be sure.
- There is no waste collection service on statutory holidays. After a holiday, collection occurs one day later than your regular collection day.
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| Blue box (recycling) |
- Cardboard was not broken down - fold cardboard boxes flat and where necessary cut, tie and bundle cardboard. Cardboard should not be larger than the size of your blue box.
- Commingled material - recycling should be separated into paper fibres which can be placed in the smaller blue box and containers which go in the taller blue box. Mixed materials are harder to separate at the recycling facility.
- For information on your blue box collection, call the Durham Region Waste Management Centre at 905-579-5264 or visit the Region of Durham website.
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| Green bin (organics) |
- Incorrect liner bags in the green bin. Use only 100% compostable liner bags.
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| Garbage |
- Garbage bags are too big - be sure to use only standard sized garbage bags no larger than 66cm x 90 cm (26" x 36").
- Garbage was set out in a garbage can - to increase collection efficiency the City does not pick up garbage that has been set out in returnable containers. Use garbage bags only at the curb.
- Incorrect set out day - remember garbage collection occurs every other week so check your schedule or use the waste collection lookup tool to verify that you have the correct day.
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| Large items |
- A collection was not pre-scheduled for collection of large items (furniture or appliances) - please call Service Oshawa or book on-line at least 2 business days prior to your garbage collection to arrange for pick-up of large items.
- Exceeds the 12 item limit - residents may place up to 12 items at the curb. Small items should be placed in garbage bags and set out with your regular curbside garbage collection and affixed with a bag tag if necessary. Additional large item collections may be booked for a $25 fee. Alternatively items may be taken to the Region of Durham's Waste Management Facility.
- Items exceed the size restrictions - in order for materials to fit into the collection vehicle and to ensure worker safety, large items should not exceed 3 m (10 ft.) in length or weigh more than 70 kg (154 lbs.). Bundled items must not exceed 76 cm (30 inches) in length, 36 cm (14 inches) in width and 36 cm (14 inches) in height and weigh less than 20 kg (44 lbs.).
- If your waste was not collected please remove it from the curb by 8:00 p.m. Items left at the curb are subject to a fine or clean up fees. To ensure collection please correct the issue for your next collection.
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| Yard waste |
| Incorrect set out day |
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Yard waste is collected seasonally, every other week on the same day as your garbage day starting in the spring and ending late fall.
Check your collection calendar for start dates in the spring and end dates in the fall.
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| Grass clippings |
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Grass clippings are not allowed at the curb because they cause issues at the compost facility.
Leave your grass clippings on your lawn and let them decay naturally. This saves time and improves the health of your lawn.
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| Unacceptable container |
| Yard waste set out in plastic bags will not be collected. Use only kraft paper bags or clearly labelled returnable open-top containers. |
| Higher than normal volumes |
| The spring and fall often are periods with higher volumes of yard waste. During these periods residents may experience delays of up to two business days in yard waste collection services. Check our website for service updates. We appreciate your patience. |
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