Show your Appreciation to Waste Collectors

Residents are encouraged to continue to show their appreciation to front line workers, including tomorrow, June 16, on Waste Collector Appreciation Day. Throughout the pandemic, waste collectors have been lifting record breaking volumes of waste. On any given day, a waste collector lifts a few thousand bags of waste. In the midst of the pandemic, collectors were lifting even more waste set at the curb by residents due to regular spring clean up and additional clean up made by residents who were at home during the last few months.

For Waste Collector Appreciation day, and year round, the City is asking Edmontonians to further celebrate by encouraging residents to give the gift of safety to waste collectors:

• Go Bagless! Grass clippings are heavy. Take the bag off your lawn mower, raise the height of the blade, and leave your clippings on your lawn as you mow, plus compost or mulch yard waste. Your yard will thank you.
• Make sure all recycling and garbage is securely bagged, sharps are packaged properly in boxes and labelled, and branches are cut down to 4 feet long and are bundled. 
• Make sure your recycling and garbage is easily accessible. Move your vehicle off the street on collection day. If that’s not possible, keep your garbage, blue bags, and yard waste away from parked cars (two car lengths away) so collectors can easily see and access them.
• Maintain Alberta Health Services physical distancing protocols (two metres/6 feet). Wave hello from a distance.

 In the past few months, Collectors found thank you notes and pictures tied to garbage bags, chalk drawn signs on fences, and even little treats left by residents showing their appreciation. Every one of those notes and pictures are posted at the Kennedale collections facility where collectors are reminded daily of how much residents truly appreciate their work. 

Waste collectors are among the most visible employees from the Collections Services section in the Waste Services Branch, however the section also has many employees who all play a huge role in keeping our City clean. Multi-family collectors, bin maintenance staff, recycling depot attendants, litter collectors, Eco Station attendants and the office staff all play an essential role helping Waste Services get the job done, especially during these unprecedented times.

While June 16 is the day to show appreciation for waste collector front line employees, we would like to acknowledge all front line workers within the city who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to deliver services for all Edmontonians. 

For more information:

Waste Collection

Tell One Friend: Go Bagless to Reduce Yard Waste

In the summer months, up to half of all the waste collected from households is grass. Going Bagless is the number one way Edmontonians can reduce their waste. 

Benefits of Going Bagless:

• Reduces the need to water your lawn.
• Reduces need to fertilize your lawn. 
• Saves time-no bagging and dragging grass.
• Can cut water use in half.
• Reduces CO2 emissions.
• Yields a lush, healthy lawn.
• Helps prevent thatch build up and disease. 

It's Easy:

• Mow high so that no more than 1/3 of the grass blade is removed.
• Mow often; every 4-5 days during heavy growth and once a week when growth is slower.
• Mow when the grass is dry to prevent clumping.
• Make sure your mower blade is sharp. 
• Sweep grass clippings that end up on the sidewalk back onto your lawn. 

---

Share your Message Effectively

Try these strategies to help encourage your family, friends and co-workers to have healthy, environmentally conscious lawns.

Model the Behaviour

Go Bagless when cutting your own lawn. 

Make it Normal

Display a Go Bagless sign on your lawn if you have one and talk about it with friends, family and neighbours. 

Offer Timely Prompts

When talking to family, friends and neighbours about lawns or outdoor chores, mention how cutting grass can be more efficient. 

Give Positive Feedback

"Your lawn looks so healthy" or "Your go bagless efforts have reduced CO2 emissions".

Highlight the Benefits

When engaged in a conversation about going bagless, share the aforementioned benefits and be excited about your success when going bagless. 

Visit edmonton.ca/waste

Next Tell One Friend: Leave those Browns on the Ground