Holiday Waste Collection Changes

The City of Edmonton has made the following changes to its waste collection schedule.

There is no waste collection on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, and Wednesday, January 1, 2020. If your waste collection falls on these dates, your waste will be collected on Monday, December 23, 2019, and Monday, December 30, 2019, respectively.

All other collection days remain the same and collectors will be working as usual, including Boxing Day.

The City encourages residents to help make collection easier by clearing ice and snow away from collections areas and spreading sand on icy areas. Heavy and bulky items cannot be collected through residential collection and should be taken to Eco Stations. Residents can also drop off holiday items such as decorations, artificial Christmas trees and interior lights at the Reuse Centre if they are in good condition.

Residents can try the free WasteWise app to help them sort their waste.

Visit edmonton.ca/wastecollection

Celebrate Waste Collector Appreciation Day

Our waste collectors help keep our streets clean all year round. Last year they collected 245,046 tonnes of residential waste from 396,876 households, twice as heavy as Toronto's CN Tower! Safe, clean communities depend on the hard work that our waste collectors do on a daily basis.

As part of North American Waste Collector week, the City will celebrate our waste collectors at a free family event this Sunday at Compost 'S cool.

Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Compost 'S cool (near Fort Edmonton Park)
Cost: Free

Come chat with a waste collector, check out a garbage truck, make thank you cards and learn how to help keep your collectors safe and one time.

Visit edmonton.ca/wastecollections

Holiday Waste Collection Changes

The City of Edmonton has made the following changes to its waste collection schedule.

There is no waste collection on Tuesday, December 25, 2018, and Tuesday, January 1, 2019. If your waste collection falls on these dates, your waste will be collected on Monday, December 24, 2018, and Monday, December 31, 2018, respectively.

All other collection days remain the same and collectors will be working as usual, including Boxing Day.

The City encourages residents to make collection easier by cleaning ice and snow away from collections areas and spreading sand on icy areas. Heavy and bulky items cannot be collected through residential collection and should be taken to Eco Stations. Residents can also drop off larger items at the Reuse Centre if they're still in good condition.

Residents can try the free WasteWise app to help them sort their waste.

Visit edmonton.ca/WasteCollection
Visit edmonton.ca/WastelessHolidays for more tips to make yours a #WastelessHolidays!

Christmas Tree Collection Starts January 9

The City will start collecting natural Christmas trees on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Trees will be picked up for recycling within three weeks of this date, but not necessarily on residents' scheduled waste collection days.

Residents are asked to:

• Set natural Christmas trees out for collection by 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

• Place their un-bagged tree on its side next to garbage bags.

• Cut extra-large trees into two-metre (approximately six-foot) lengths.

• Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garlands, nails, screws, and tree stands, so that the trees are acceptable for composting.

Apartment and condominium residents can take their natural Christmas trees, free of charge until January 31, 2018 to:

• One of the City's Community Recycling Depots (place the tree next to the entrance or exit of the depot and make sure it does not block access).

• One of the City's four Eco Stations (staff will guide you to where you can place your tree).

Christmas trees should not be placed in or near apartment garbage or recycling bins.

In 2017, the City collected 10,779 trees, weighing over 115 tonnes, for recycling. Trees are chipped and composted at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. The City uses the wood chips to make various types of compost for horticulture, agriculture, and land reclamation.

The Reuse Centre accepts articial tree donations, as long as the tree is in a box and includes all parts. The donated trees are made available for purchase by organizations and individuals for reuse.

Visit edmonton.ca/WastelessHolidays for more information.

     

The A,B,Cs of a Great Back Alley Display by MCR Patti D.

I live in an older area with neighbours who frequently walk their dogs through the back alleys.  My MCR personal project was to create a back alley display about waste reduction.  How hard can that be, I thought?

• Go to the dollar store. 
• Get a display board. 
• Create signage about waste reduction. 
• Put the signs in page protectors. 
• Change the signs each week. 
• Start conversations. 

Voila – my 35 volunteer MCR hours are filled in no time!

Challenge 1:  Rain.  The display board from the dollar store was not waterproof.  After the first heavy rain, it was destroyed. Although I must note that there were pieces remaining around the screws that I had used to attach the display board to the fence...

Solution:  I spent $5 more and purchased composite wood board from Home Depot.  The sales clerk assured me it should last at least 2 years.

Challenge 2:  Wind.  I placed the signs on the board one day and proudly went out the next morning to inspect them.  All the signs were missing. I later located all the signs down the alley.

Solution:  I stopped using thumb tacks and used heavy duty staples to tack the signs to the board.

Challenge 3:  Wind AND Rain:  I placed the signs in page protectors with the openings at the bottom – smart eh?  The rain will not move upwards!  Wind will actually move the rain upwards and the page protectors did not help against rain.  The beautifully coloured signs looked like runny rainbows displayed in plastic envelopes.

 I’m VERY pleased to report that once I decided to use quality products, my back alley display was in much better shape.  

Solution:  Ordered expensive self-laminating sheets from Staples.  All signs are laminated front and back before they are stapled to the composite wood board.

Challenge 4:  Procrastination.  I blame it on loss of momentum.  I spent three weeks working on solutions to the first three challenges. Once I got those sorted out, I found that my enthusiasm for this project diminished.  I found other stuff to do over the summer and my signs were NOT changed once a week.  

Solution:  There is no solution; I am a procrastinator.  Regardless, I’m very proud of the signs I have created to date AND -  now that I have worked out solutions - it’s a simple matter to create a new sign, laminate it and place it in my Back Alley Display.

Challenge 5:  Conversations.  This did not spark as many conversations as I’d hoped.  In my dreams, I had people coming up to me, eager to take in the knowledge that I had to give. I had one neighbour admit to me that she did not compost as if it was a dirty little secret. Another asked me to come by her place to discuss garbage versus composting. I had hoped for a lot more interaction.  

 A compost mentor lives here. Talk to me if you need compost help. 

Solution:  The feedback I’ve received from other neighbours tells me that they ARE reading my signs; one neighbor walked by and I heard him explain to his son what grasscycling is.  Through the signs, people in my neighbourhood have started to think about waste reduction.  Here’s to my next six months!

---

Patti loves Edmonton and wants to help make it an even better place to live. She is now worm composting and started her first outdoor compost, this year. She has enjoyed sharing her knowledge with her neighbours at their annual block party. She keeps a box in her basement to store old batteries and light bulbs. When it's full, they take a trip to the Eco Station.

WasteWise Spring Cleaning

It's time for indoor and outdoor spring cleaning, and the City of Edmonton is encouraging residents to be waste wise by following some handy tips.

Cleaning inside the house?

• Recycle empty plastic jugs and spray bottles. 
• Cardboard paper towel cores are recyclable, but the used paper towel goes in the garbage.
• Drop off electronics, paint, batteries, lightbulbs, and corrosive or hazardous cleaning products, such as oven cleaners at an Eco Station for FREE
• Large items such as sofas, mattresses, tables can be taken to an Eco Station. A small fee applies.
• Consider reuse!
  Donate items you no longer need to a charity, or pass them on to a family or friend. Check the Reuse Directory to see what can be donated where.
  

Cleaning your yard?

• Leaves and lawn thatch can be set out in a black garbage bag. Keep your bag light; help your collector by keeping your bags under 15 kilograms.
• Tie your branches and brunsh into small bundles no more than 1.2 metres in length, and weighing no more than you can easily lift.
• Put your broken garden hose in the garbage, not the recycling. It can jam machinery at the recycling sorting plant.
• If you waste is collected in the alley, be sure to trim overhanging tree branches to allow easy access for garbage trucks.

Not sure where an item should go? Download our free WasteWise app on your phone or visit edmonton.ca/waste.

Eco Stations are open Saturday and Monday, 9 am to 6:30 pm, closed Friday and Sunday, over the Easter  long weekend. For Eco Station locations and regular hours of operation, visit edmonton.ca/ecostations.

Make sure you set out your waste by 7 am on your collection day. Due to heavier waste volumes in the spring, your waste may be collected earlier than in the winter time.

Looking Ahead to 2017!

2016 was a great year for our team at the City. The dedication and enthusiasm of MCRs played an important role in this success. We're excited for things to come in 2017!

• Public consultation for the Waste Strategic Plan will take place in the spring.
• This will include possible automated collection and/or separate collection of compostables.
• Construction continues on the Anaerobic Digestion Facility (completion by end of year).
• The Waste-to-Biofuels Facility continues commissioning.
• Edmonton has teamed up with the National Zero Waste Council. We will research and begin developing programming about reducing residential food waste.

For the MCR Program in 2017

• Introducing a Waste Video of the Week, every Wednesday
• New volunteer roles at Compost ‘S cool
• Sharing the online version of MCR Training with all existing MCRs
• Hosting “Refresher Training sessions” every three months.
• Receiving new toys at Compost ‘S cool

Edmonton’s waste services has many impressive employees. From engineers at the EWMC, operators at the plants, collectors on trucks, attendants at Eco Stations, presenters in schools, to canvassers at doorsteps. The men and women who keep the system running are smart, passionate, and innovative folks.

But Sarah and Rodney are lucky because we get to see the amazing things that volunteers do for Edmonton’s waste system. MCRs are universally smart, passionate, and innovative.

From Rodney

I am still learning to be a dad, but I deeply appreciate that “it takes a village to raise a child.” One of the many gifts that my son and daughter have already received in life is the gift of community and volunteerism here in Edmonton.

I am ever grateful to MCRs (people like you) for what you do to reduce waste and help Edmonton’s waste system. You give your skills, your time, your passion, and your creativity by speaking up and by telling friends and family that waste matters.

At a personal level, I am sincerely grateful to MCRs (and you) for making Edmonton a better place for my children, and for future generations. Thank you.
“A some point, everything will be discarded, and yet none of it is garbage.”

From Sarah

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again -- I really do consider myself lucky to work with such an amazing, passionate group of volunteers. Master Composter Recyclers are giving, thoughtful Edmontonians who truly want a better, greener future for our city and our planet.

Part of my job is to teach MCRs about Edmonton’s waste system, but I have learned so much from my fellow MCRs. This community has been invaluable in helping me to shift my behaviours, thoughts, and actions to sustainable alternatives. We challenge and inspire each other to be better every day.

Thank you for a great year, and here’s to less waste in 2017!

Showcasing the Newest Collection Trucks

With so many cities moving toward automated collection, it's become hard to purchase collection trucks that are easy and safe to operate for hand collectors. So, collectors are excited to show off the newest trucks in Edmonton's collection fleet.

Two collectors watching a demonstration of a new collection vehicle.

Collectors place garbage in the yellow bucket, and then use an automated arm to lift and dump the garbage into the truck's compactor compartment. The low height of the bucket is better for the repetitive lifting and throwing that our collectors do, and is expected to reduce the strain on collectors.

The driver operates the arm from within the cab of the truck.

The new trucks are shorter than our current vehicles, making them easier to maneuver in alleys, parking lots, and other tight spaces, but they still carry the same volume of waste. Multiple cameras will help the driver see more and stay safe. The driver also sits higher, which improves visibility. 

In addition to being better for collectors, these trucks would provide a smooth transition to automated collection if that occurs in the future. The bucket can be easily switched out for the proper attachment to pick up bins. 

Collectors are currently training on one of these trucks, with 13 more on order.

Old vs. New

• These automated trucks are about one metre shorter than the manual collection trucks, so they can be used in narrower spaces.
• The new trucks have five cameras for safety, rather than the single rear-view camera on the current trucks.
• The new trucks cost a little more than the current manual collection trucks. But, the new trucks offer more versatility, enhanced safety features, and speedier waste collection.

Photographs provided by the City of Edmonton

 

Are You Satisfied with the City's Waste Services?

Results of Fall 2016 Survey

If so, you’re in good company! Every year the City conducts a survey to determine how satisfied residents are with their waste services and how much they participate in waste programs. We do this to measure key performance indicators, such as recycling participation and the level of satisfaction with specific services. We use this information to identity areas for improvement, to figure out where our advertising dollars need to go to raise awareness for our services and facilities, and to continue to help residents properly sort their waste.

This year’s fall survey showed strong results in both the customer experience and participation in sustainable waste activities. Edmontonians really do care about their environment and the impacts their waste can have, and we love hearing from you!

Overall, residents are pleased with the services we provide! Of the residents surveyed, 93 percent of single family homeowners said they were satisfied with their garbage and recycling collection. This statistic is marginally higher than last year’s results. Families living in apartments and condominiums remained steady at 86 per cent satisfaction. Edmontonians continue to show their dedication to diverting waste from landfill with participation in the City’s voluntary blue bag recycling remaining high at 91 per cent.

Eco Stations play an important role in the proper handling of household hazardous waste. The number of residents who took items to an Eco Station (in the last year) also remains consistent at 63 per cent; however, the number of visits per resident is up this year by 0.6 per cent. Of the residents who have visited an Eco Station in the last 12 months, 93 per cent reported being satisfied with their experience.

What’s better than reusing waste or recycling? Reducing! That’s why we’re excited about the increase to 66 per cent for awareness of the Reuse Centre, up from 49 per cent in 2012. In addition to being a drop-off facility, the Reuse Centre provides unique items for organizations and individuals to pick up. For just $5, people can take up to 5 kg of product! The Reuse Centre also offers ongoing programs such as crafting workshops, and offers space rental at affordable prices for meetings and children’s birthday parties, so be sure to check it out!

Another proud achievement for Edmonton is the increase in the City’s grasscycling program – Go Bagless. Of Edmontonians who have a lawn to mow, 63 per cent reported leaving their grass clippings on the lawn all or most of the time in 2016, which increased from 58 per cent in 2015. This program, which has been running for several years, is an excellent example of social marketing and the positive impacts it can have for our city and its environment.

We’d like to thank everyone who participated! Survey engagement was high this year with 801 Edmontonians participating in online interviews. The survey targeted Edmonton residents 18 years or older, who are the primary decision makers of their household, between October 6 and 20, 2016.

“These survey results show that there’s a lot of community support for waste programs and that residents continue to be active participants in waste reduction, reuse and recycling, fully supporting our goal to divert waste from landfill,” says Connie Boyce, Director of Community Relations with Utility Services. “These results help us measure the impact of our programs and prioritize our efforts to continue improving customer service.”

For more information on programs and services, visit edmonton.ca/waste. Lastly, a big thank you to all Edmontonians who reduce, reuse, recycle and/or simply take the time to set out their waste correctly — your efforts make this city safer and cleaner!

MORE Solar-Powered Waste Bins in Edmonton

The City introduced four new solar-powered waste bins, in September 2015.

Credit: Shaughn Butts,
Edmonton Journal (October, 2012)

About the size of a mailbox, these Bigbelly waste bins are an exciting addition to Edmonton streets. They:

• automatically compact waste inside
• send a message to Collections staff when full
• are self-powered by solar panel on top
• eliminate wind-blown litter
• have side panels for promotion

Five of these bins were unveiled in October, 2012, and have performed well.

The bins compact the waste inside. They can hold up to five times the waste of a standard litter basket. Then the bin send a message to staff when it is full. This means fewer vehicle trips to empty the bins AND avoids overflowing bins.

That works out to excellent savings over the bin's lifespan. These are a good solution for locations with lots of pedestrian traffic.

Bigbelly waste bins on Whyte Avenue. (September, 2015)

Check out this demo.
Note: Versions in Edmonton do not have cigarette containers.

Icy Conditions - Make It Safe

Recent freeze/thaw weather and freezing rain over the past two weeks have resulted in extremely hazardous conditions on Edmonton's walkways and sidewalks. These treacherous conditions are a safety concern for everyone - particularly for those with limited mobility, waste collectors, and other service providers. Over the past two weeks, bylaw officers have investigated more than 2,600 complaints for snow and ice on sidewalks.

The City of Edmonton is reminding owners to keep sidewalks, walkways, and waste collection areas free of ice ans snow. The City encourages citizens to use sand or ice-melting products. Courtesy sand boxes can be found at many local community centres. Although these courtesy sand boxes are topped up regularly, demand often exceeds supply. When this occurs, citizens are encouraged to buy sand or ice-melting products at their local department or hardware store.

For a listing of courtesy sand box locations, please visit community sandboxes.

Natural Christmas Tree Collection Starts January 9

The City of Edmonton will start collecting natural Christmas trees on January 9, 2015. Trees will be picked up for recycling within three weeks of this date, but not necessarily on residents’ scheduled waste collection days.


Residents are asked to:

• Set natural Christmas trees out for collection by 7 a.m. on Friday, January 9
• Place their un-bagged tree on its side next to their garbage bags
• Cut extra-large trees into two-metre (six-foot) lengths
• Remove ornaments, tinsel, garlands, nails, screws and tree stands, so that they are acceptable for composting 

Apartment and condo residents should take their natural Christmas trees to a Recycling Depot or to one of the City’s three Eco Stations free of charge by January 30. Christmas trees should NOT be placed in, or near, apartment garbage or recycling bins.

Click here for more information

MCR Winter Social 2014

It was a chilly evening but Kennedale Waste Operations was warm, toasty, and full of lively conversation. Over 40 current and future MCRs, their friends, and family came out to the annual MCR Winter Social, last Monday evening.

We had a mountain of delicious food, and plenty of time to mingle and chat. Rodney gave us a short speech about our 2013 accomplishments, our goals for 2014, and what we can expect to see from Waste Management Services in the future.

The impending move and expansion of the Reuse Centre was a hot topic. Everyone was excited to hear about the much-needed facelift of this Edmonton treasure.

MCRs were also pleased to hear about the starting of the Waste-to-Biofuels facility.

Another topic of discussion was the new focus on "large volume producers." These are residents who put out lots & lots of garbage, often. Many folks who could not participate in home interviews were curious to know about the project, and excited to hear about the results.

MCR John B. drew on his experience as both a Waste Collector and a Collections Inspector with the City to give us a talk about collector safety. He touched on some common problems, like snow and ice, and gave us some simple tips to help our neighbourhood collectors through the year. John also explained the reason behind some of the quirky restrictions on bag size, container type, and garbage enclosures.

John also explained the purpose of the new facility at Kennedale Waste operations, answered questions, and took MCRs on a quick tour around the building.

Thanks, John!

Rodney and Sarah would also like to extend their thanks to everyone who joined us. We had a fabulous time, and we hope you did too. To those who were unable to attend, we hope to see you next time!

To make our next event as fun and engaging as possible, please share your opinions on our MCR Potluck Survey.

Record MCR Volunteering

Is The Path To Your Trash Safe?

Slips and falls during the winter are a common cause of waste collector and pedestrian injuries, and they can be prevented with the help of residents.

Waste collectors work 10-hour shifts, getting in and out trucks to lift 20-kilogram garbage bags all day. Maneuvering on slippery ice makes their job more challenging and even dangerous.

The City of Edmonton thanks residents for playing their part in keeping collectors safe and reminds them of simple things they can do to help:

• Clear snow from collection area/garbage stands and spread sand on icy surfaces.
• Put bags/cans on level ground and as close to the street or alley as possible, not on top of windrows and snow piles.
• Avoid placing waste on slippery areas near downspouts and sump pump discharge pipes.

Residents with front street pick-up are asked to park vehicles off the street on their collection day. Vehicles parked on the street force collectors to carry heavy cans and bags greater distances.

Under Edmonton’s Community Standards bylaw, homeowners have to clear ice and snow from sidewalks right down to the pavement within 48 hours of a snowfall.

For more information about waste collection please visit edmonton.ca/wastecollection.

Holiday Waste Collection

Due to the holidays the City of Edmonton has made the following changes to its waste collection schedule. If your collection falls on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, your waste will be collected on Monday, December 23, 2013.

If your collection falls on Wednesday, January 1, 2014, your waste will be collected on Monday, December 30, 2013 instead.

If your collection day is Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, there will be no change over the holidays. (Collectors will be working on Boxing Day, December 26, 2013.)

Please remember that for your collector’s safety and your own, it is important to clear snow from your collection area and spread sand on icy surfaces. Place garbage and recycling bags on level ground as close to the street or alley as possible, not on top of windrows or snow piles. 

The City thanks residents for helping make our collectors’ job safer, especially during the holiday and winter season.

For more information about waste collection visit edmonton.ca/wastecollection or call 311.

Kennedale's new look

In 2012, as part of the City of Edmonton's Percent to Art policy, the Edmonton Arts Council turned 5 of our waste collection vehicles into mobile art. Under this directive, one percent of the budget for qualifying projects is allocated for art to be installed in public view, for all citizens and visitors to enjoy.

These trucks are fully functional, in service, and bringing smiles to Edmontonians on garbage day around the city.

Recently, as part of that same initiative, the decorated trucks were immortalized on the outer walls of the expanded Kennedale Waste Management Facility. Each truck has been re-imagined into a different landscape. Some of the resulting portraits are peaceful, some are outlandish, and some will just make you grin.

I'm having a hard time picking between the truck on the moon, and the truck in the icy mountain range.

Which is your favourite? Take our poll!

Public Art Rollin' into Back Alleys Near You

Waste Management Services is constructing a new building called Kennendale Waste Operations East to house single-family collection vehicles and staff. This means that thanks to The City's Percent for Art Policy there will be some colourful collection trucks in our fleet of vehicles. The policy states that 1% of the capital budget for new buildings will be dedicated to public art work.

Waste Management Services' new operations building at the Northeast Kennendale public art project includes 2 components:

• 6 newly wrapped trucks will be introduced to the streets of Edmonton over the next few months.
• 6 permanent panels will be installed on the new building. 

The first of 6 trucks which are wrapped with art selected by the Edmonton Art Council.  

The Edmonton Arts Council has selected three Alberta artists for the initiative:

Karen Campos was born in El Salvador and currently resides in Edmonton, where she attended MacEwan University as an Illustration Major in Design Studies. She has exhibited works at the ARTery, Exposure Festival, and was one of three artists who participated in the downtown Colour Alley Project.

Jeff Chan currently lives in Lethbridge, and is completing an Education Program at the University of Lethbridge. He received his bachelor of fine arts in Drawing from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 2011. He has participated in art shows in both Calgary and Lethbridge; recently he completed a performance piece entitled “Free Wishes” in San Francisco.

David Goulden received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and then went on to complete his Masters of Architecture from the University of Calgary. David’s artistic career has spanned the last 12 years. He is an artist, creative director, art director, and a designer. His work has been published and shown internationally including Canadian Architect, AZURE, and Applied Arts magazines. He is the founder of id8 design group. David currently lives in Calgary.

Garbage and art often find themselves hand in hand. Here are some other Edmonton based projects you may find interesting:

City Hall, Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health, Catholic Social Services, Homeward Trust and Arts on the Ave came together as The 82 Street Team to create The Eyes on the Alley Project. Photos were placed on dumpsters on alley east of 82 Street between 121 and 122 Ave. 

Edmonton on the Edge has wrapped seven dumpsters in the Alley of Light. To check them out, stroll in the alley just north of Jasper between Enterprise Square (103 St) and Beaver HIlls Park (105 St). Photographs were all created by painting with light. 

Brandon Blommaert's work was selected for the Ambleside Ecostation in 2009. The artwork consists of five images of typical Alberta landscapes: the Rocky Mountains, Boreal Forest, Parkland, the Badlands and urban sprawl.

Everyone loves getting rid of BIG stuff for free!

This year City of Edmonton will hold 12 Big Bin Events. A weekend event where you can drop off all your large items for free disposal. But remember, if you have anything in good condition check out the Reuse Directory for a listing of vendors who will accept that item for reuse. 

2012 Big Bin Events Schedule

All 2012 events will run from 9am to 5pm.

*New updated location

Date	Location	Address
August 18 & 19	Jasper Place	9200 163 Street
August 25 & 26	Rexall Place *	Lot E, 7424 118 Avenue
September 8 & 9	Blue Quill	11304 25 Avenue
September 15 & 16	Commonwealth Stadium	112 Avenue & 90 Street
September 22 & 23	Ellerslie Facility *	2415 101 Street SW