City to help new student residents navigate garbage and recycling programs in Kingston
From city to city across the province and country, recycling and waste management programs differ greatly.
For someone coming into a new city, that means doing some research to figure out when to put out your garbage, recycling, and compost, as well as what can be recycled and when.
But here in Kingston, we don’t have one new resident entering the city, we have well over 20,000 new neighbours. And one needs only stroll down a side street in downtown Kingston to see just how often recycling boxes are full of all the wrong items (mixed plastic and paper, un-recyclable items like straws and food wrappers, etc.), which mean the boxes just get left there.
That’s why the City of Kingston has decided to deploy City waste and bylaw staff in the University District over the next few weeks. Staff members from solid waste services and bylaw enforcement will be attending select streets in the area during the evening this month, helping residents learn about proper waste sorting, as well as property standards, according to a press release from the City of Kingston.
“The purpose is to be available to see residents at the time they are setting waste at the curb. If we can talk directly with the resident, we can solve future issues with their waste,” said Heather Roberts, director of solid waste services. “We can help them get it right with a real-life example of their waste in front of us. We’ve teamed up with bylaw enforcement so residents can learn how to keep their property clean and safe as well.”
Teams from the City will be in the area to help residents set out their garbage, green bins, and recycling at the curb from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the following dates:
- Monday, Sept. 17, 2018
- Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018
- Monday, Sept. 24, 2018
- Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018
Staff will be available to answer questions from residents regarding garbage, green bins, and recycling, as well as the bylaws aimed at keeping the area litter free. There will also be recycling trucks in the area with blue and grey boxes available for staff to pick up. The City urges those in the area to take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and figure out the programs that are new to them.
“We’re especially urging new students in these areas to come outside and talk to us! Ask us questions and let us know your barriers to using the program,” Roberts said.
New residents (or any residents) can also find out what is recyclable and which waste products go where at www.CityofKingston.ca/WasteLookup, sign-up for collection reminders at www.CityofKingston.ca/Collection, or download the ‘Kingston Waste’ app here: www.cityofkingston.ca/resident/garbage-recycling/waste-tools/calendar.