Residents urged to follow safe waste disposal guidelines during pandemic

As those across the country and around the world do their part to help stop the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, the City of Kingston has developed some safe waste disposal guidelines for residents.

These guidelines are being put in place to help protect collectors and the wider public from the risk of spreading the virus, the City said in a press release on Monday, Mar. 16, 2020.

“Please protect your collector. Do NOT place used tissues and napkins in the Green Bin – these items often become wind-blown when the collector opens the lid or when emptying the bin into the truck,” said Heather Roberts, Director of Solid Waste Services for the City of Kingston.

The City emphasized that the guidelines are being put in place as a precautionary measure to “protect the health of collectors who each handle thousands of receptacles a week.”

“Proper disposal of potentially contaminated items is also a good safeguard to have in place to protect the general public before the pandemic reaches Kingston,” the City said.

The guidelines for safe waste disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic are:

• Place used tissues and napkins in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Use liners for food waste placed in the Green Bin.
• Bag all waste. Do not place waste loosely in garbage containers

The City is also asking that anyone who is sick (with any illness) place any items that have come into contact with their mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage, including items that are normally recycled, such as water/beverage bottles, pop cans, milk/juice containers, etc.