ONE Container Limit Answers

Q: How long will it take for people to start dumping their extra garbage in alleys and ditches? What am I supposed to do if someone dumps their garbage on my front lawn? And who will be policing this by-law?
A: Illegal dumping is an issue that most municipalities deal with, whether they have garbage limits or not. This is an area of interest for the City and one that we continue to address through the enforcement of existing by-laws. In order to fully investigate these occurrences, residents should report them to our by-law enforcement group by calling 905-546-CITY (2489) so that we can follow up and take appropriate action.

Municipalities who implement container limits do not experience a sustained increase in illegal dumping. For example, Kingston experienced a small increase in illegal dumping at first, but it was nothing like what they were told would happen. As quoted in The Hamilton Spectator on November 22, 2007, Kingston’s solid waste manager John Giles notes “It is a perceived problem, but in reality it is not.”

Our priority is to educate and help residents get down to ONE container of garbage or less each week.

Q: What if someone dumps a bag of garbage in front of my house and I end up with more than the current limit? What am I suppose to do with it?
A: Call 905-546-CITY (2489) to report an incident to the City’s By-Law Enforcement office.

Q: What am I supposed to do with kitty litter and / or pet waste?
A: Kitty litter and / or pet waste should be double-bagged and placed in the garbage.

Q: How is a multi-family house expected to keep to a ONE container limit for garbage?
A: All ‘eligible properties’ as defined in the Solid Waste Management By-Law 09-067 are subject to the one container limit for garbage, thus eligible properties with up to the maximum of 5 legal dwelling units would be allowed one container per unit each week. Non-legal or non-registered dwelling units are not allowed to put garbage at the curb.

Q: Can garbage containers or garbage bags be collected with the call-in bulk waste program?
A: The bulk waste collection program is meant to collect big things like furniture and mattresses. Materials contained in garbage cans or garbage bags will not be collected through the bulk waste collection program.

Q: What about businesses (such as restaurants) and apartment buildings? Are they mandated to recycle?
A: Apartment buildings and businesses are currently required “to provide a source-separation program” to facilitate for reuse or recycling as mandated by Ontario Regulation 103/94.

Businesses that are considered ‘eligible properties’ are subject to mandatory recycling through the Solid Waste Management By-Law 09-067.

Q: What about townhouse complexes that have a central area for garbage?
A: Collectors will know how many units each complex contains and will count the number of garbage containers accordingly.

Q: Is the City introducing “bag tags” to allow residents to put more garbage at the curb.
A: No, the City is not introducing a “bag tag” program at this time.

Q: I’ve heard that a committee of residents proposed the one container limit based on an agreed premise that 65% of all waste be diverted. How was this figure arrived at? Is it realistic? Who were the members of the committee?
A: In December 2001 City Council approved the Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) that was developed by a 32 member Public Advisory Committee which represented all community sectors.

The Committee set a target of 65% waste diversion from landfill by 2008 and devised a list of 19 recommendations for action.

The goal of 65% waste diversion is based on waste composition studies that indicate 85% of the average garbage container can be diverted from landfill.

Details about the public consultation process can be found at http://www.hamilton.ca/waste.

Q: What is garbage?
A: Items such as:

• Band Aids
• Blister packs (gum packaging)
• Broken dishes, mugs, etc.
• Broken glass (in a cardboard box clearly marked ‘BROKEN GLASS’)
• Bubble wrap
• Candy wrappers
• CD jewel cases (broken)
• Cellophane
• Cereal bags (the liner inside the box)
• Chip bags
• Chocolate bar wrappers
• Cling wrap
• Cracker bags (the liner inside the box)
• Crinkly plastic (such as CD wrappers)
• Dental floss
• Diapers
• Drinking straws
• Dryer sheets
• Elastics
• Foam packaging sheets
• Foil yogurt lids
• Feminine hygiene products
• Gum
• Molded plastic (the stuff from electronics, toys, etc.)
• Old toothbrushes
• Pens
• Pet waste
• Plastic bags that don’t stretch
• Plastic bottle lids
• Plastic plant pots and trays
• Plastic wrap from CDs
• Sanitary products
• Textiles (clothing, rags, etc.)
• Zippered sandwich bags

Q: If I use a clear plastic bag for recycling – to put light items like Styrofoam™ in on windy days – how will the collectors know it is part of my recycling and not my garbage?
A: Keep some space between your blue boxes and your garbage containers so that collectors can tell by looking that you are using the clear plastic bag for recyclables on purpose, and not for garbage. If you use blue boxes, place any clear plastic bag of recyclables in or beside your blue box. For example, place your green cart at the curb between your garbage can and your recyclables to help keep them separate.

Answers to ‘Garbage Container’ Questions

Q: What is the definition of ‘one container’?
A: One plastic bag that does not contain more than 23 kilograms (50 pounds) of garbage.

One rigid, reusable container (garbage can) having a volume of less than 135 litres (30 gallons) and does not contain more than 23 kilograms (50 pounds) of garbage.

Either of these is considered ‘one container’.

Q: Can I use any size garbage bag?
A: There currently are no restrictions on the size of bag. The contents must not weigh more than 23 kg.

Q: I only put out two or three grocery bags of garbage every few weeks. Will these be considered more than ONE container?
A: Yes. If you have more than one small grocery bag it is best to place them into one garbage can / bag to ensure they will be collected.

Q: If I can fit more than one bag of garbage in my garbage can, will it be considered more than one container?
A: You may place more than one bag of garbage in a garbage can as long as it weighs less 23 kg and the volume of the container is less than 135L. Bags of garbage MUST fit inside the garbage can as if the lid was on the container. Garbage cans that are overflowing with a heap of garbage bags will be stickered and left behind.

Q: If I cram as many bags as possible into my garbage can and it’s not overflowing, will it be collected?
A If garbage is stuffed too tightly into a garbage can and it doesn’t come out when a collector tries to empty it, the garbage can will be stickered and left behind.

Q: What am I supposed to do with my existing garbage cans if I have more than one?
A: If you have garbage cans, you can use them for various purposes, e.g. they can be used during ‘grace periods’ or they could be used for leaf and yard waste during the spring and fall collection seasons.

Answers to ‘Special Consideration Policy’ Questions

Q: What special considerations will be made?
A: A special consideration process has been developed for medical circumstances, families with three children or more under the age of five, registered home day cares and agricultural businesses demonstrating a need for additional waste containers. Special considerations are reviewed on an annual basis to account for changing circumstances.

Q: How will I know if I am eligible for a special consideration? How do I apply for a special consideration exemption?
A You can call 905-546-CITY (2489), visit our website at www.hamilton.ca/waste or email us at wastemanagement@hamilton.ca

An application form has been developed that you need to fill out, sign and return to us.

Q: When should I apply for a special consideration?
A: You should apply as soon as you think you may need it. You will need to apply each year for special consideration as your situation may change, for example, when your children grow out of diapers, special consideration will no longer be necessary.

Q: If I receive special consideration, how many containers of garbage can I put out each week?
A: Households receiving special consideration will be allowed to place three (3) containers of garbage at the curb each week. The containers must be accordance with our definition of a container. Households receiving special consideration will not be able to place more than three containers of garbage out for collection during ‘grace periods’.

Q: Once I’m approved for a special consideration, how will the collectors know to pick up my materials?
A: Your address will be identified on our collection route maps.

Q: If I have already been approved for a special consideration, do I have to reapply? If so, when?
A: Yes. You need to reapply every year for a special consideration. You should reapply 6-8 weeks prior to the expiry date of your previous approval.

Q: What happens if I have an approval for special consideration and I move during the year?
A: Please contact the City at 905-546-CITY (2489) or email wastemanagement@hamilton.ca at least three weeks prior to your move date. You will need to provide us with your new address.

Q: Does the ONE container limit apply to businesses and farms that receive curbside garbage collection?
A. The ONE container limit applies to agricultural properties. However, they may apply for special consideration (using the same method as family and medical exemptions). If the property is approved, agricultural properties will be approved to set out four (4) containers of garbage per week.

Other types of properties such as businesses which are eligible to receive waste collection services by the City are required to comply with waste container limits for their type of property.

Under Solid Waste Management By-Law 09-067 eligible businesses can place up to six containers of garbage at the curb for collection each week unless otherwise defined as being in a Special Policy Area.