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Garbage Collection

Show All Answers

1. Will my solid waste and recycling be picked up when my collection day lands on a statutory holiday? What is the garbage collection schedule?

No. The City’s garbage contractor does not work on statutory holidays. Your solid waste and recyclables will be collected the following day. For more information on the collection schedule and routes please review the garbage collection guide

2. Why must I have my solid waste carts on the curb before 7:00am on the morning of my collection day? Why can’t I put them on the curb the night before?

There are a several reasons to have your solid waste on the curb at 7:00am on your collection day.

1. The City’s contractor may have to make schedule adjustments for time to time, so the time in which your carts are collected may change. Not having your carts at the curb first thing in the morning may cause you to miss your collection.


2. During the winter months, the Municipal Services crews are busy with snow clearing and having solid waste carts are on the street the night before makes the job that much more difficult.


3. Having the carts on the street the night before also increases the risk that your carts may fall victim to vandalism. The carts are your responsibility and if they are damaged, lost or stolen through no fault of the City, it is the home owner who is responsible for the cost to have them replaced

3. What is the cost if my carts are lost, broken, or stolen?

The cost for carts is $65 each. This cost is the responsibility of the home owner if the cart is lost, stolen or damaged through no fault of the City or its contractors. The new carts can be purchased at City Hall during business hours.

4. How do I know which cart is mine if I get them mixed up with the neighbor’s carts?

Each cart has a unique serial number on the side of the cart and if you have it written down, you can easily identify your cart.

5. During the winter months, where do I put my cart?

During the winter months every resident can put their carts where they normally put them provided they are:

• Sitting on the ground or asphalt, not on a snow bank


• They are at least 2 meters away from other obstructions, such as a snow bank or a vehicle


• They are not blocked by any other obstruction that impedes the tipping arm of the truck

6. What can I put in my recycle cart?

The items that all City of Williams Lake residents can put in their recycle cart are:

1. All tins cans, cleaned
2. All newspapers
3. All cardboard
4. All other paper products
5. Most rigid plastic packaging
6. No Styrofoam, plastic bags, or glass
7. Paper cups

7. Why can’t I put glass in my recycling cart? It is recyclable.

Yes, glass is recyclable however when a resident puts glass into a recycling cart it can be broken and the broken glass then contaminates the entire contents of the cart. Glass is also very hazardous to the people who receive the recyclables and have to sort the material.

8. Can I get another solid waste or recycling cart if I need more?

Yes. If a residence needs another solid waste or recycling cart, the registered property owner can apply for a second set of carts at City Hall during business hours. The applicant will have to pay for the second set of carts initially and the additional fees for tipping those carts will be included on their utility bill.

9. What if I have a secondary suite in my residence and I want another set of carts?

The registered property owner can apply and pay for another set of carts and the tipping fees for those carts will be included on the next utility bill.

10. What if I generate more garbage per week than I can put in my garbage or recycling cart?

It is the responsibility of the home owner to take care of any excess solid waste that does not fit in to the solid waste carts.

11. Will the City’s garbage contractor pick up my garbage if the lid is open a little bit?

No. the lids for both the solid waste and recycling container have to be completely closed to be able to be tipped into the truck. Having the lid open, even slightly encourages garbage to escape either by wind or birds and animals to get in and throw garbage out.

12. Is my garbage can bear proof?

No. If you live in an area that is frequented by bears, you need to take the required precautions to ensure the bears do not get into your garbage or even encourage the bears to visit your garbage cart. Bears are creatures of opportunity and if they know where they can get an easy meal they will return to the same place. Do not place anything in your garbage that a bear might be able to eat or smell from a great distance.

13. The larger carts are just too big for my needs; are there any smaller sizes of carts that I can get?

Yes. The City has two sizes of carts 240 liters and 120 liters. A resident can apply for a smaller set of carts for medical reasons at any time. But once they have the smaller carts there is a $130 fee to have the carts changed back to the 240 liter size again.

14. I am moving to another home in Williams Lake or out of the City completely. What do I do with my solid waste carts?

The carts belong with the property, if you are moving you must leave your carts with the residence for the new home owners. Likewise, the new home into which you are moving into should have a set of carts for you upon your arrival.

15. I am moving into a new home in Williams Lake; how do I get a new set of carts?

If you are moving into a new home in Williams Lake, you must apply and pay for a new set of carts at City Hall during business hours. Once the fees have been paid, a new set of carts will be delivered with a set of instructions for the new resident.

16. What if I put non-recyclable items into my recycling cart?

If the City’s contractor sees the contamination in the cart and can stop the tipping process, they will do so and the resident will have to deal with the cart on their own. If this happens too often, the City will visit the residence and educate the home owners on the use of the recycling cart. If the problem persists the City has the right to suspend solid waste collection services to that address until the home owner complies with the proper procedure.

17. Can I put anything I want into the garbage cart?

No. Certain items are prohibited in the garbage carts. These items are, but not limited to:

1. Explosives
   
2. Raw sewage or septic tank sludge
   
3. Highly flammable materials
   
4. Noxious, offensive, or unwholesome matter
   
5. Oversized items of any kind that do not allow for proper closure of both garbage and recycling containers
   
6. Dead animals
   
7. Demolition or construction waste
   
8. Trade waste
   
9. Any liquids