October 19th is the date garbage collection will see a makeover in the region with new waste collection companies coming in and the service becoming biweekly for trash pick up.
Miller and GFL Environmental are the new companies that will take over with GFL handling Thorold, Grimsby, West Lincoln, Lincoln, Pelham and Wainfleet and Miller handling St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Port Colborne.
Recyclables and compost will still be picked up once a week and two bags of garbage will be allowed every other week.
The reasons for the changes as outlined on the Niagara Region’s website state:
To reduce the amount of recyclables and organic waste going into our landfills, we’re making changes.
The new waste collection contract includes changes that will:
- Help increase diversion
- Preserve landfill space for waste that can’t be recycled or composted
- Save natural resources
- Reduce our impact on climate change
- Residents who use their Blue Box, Grey Box and Green Bin should be able to stay within the two garbage bag / can limit every-other-week. Waste audit results show that 64 per cent of what Niagara residents place in the garbage can be recycled or composted.
Garbage Limits
You can still put out the same amount of garbage. For example, if you currently have a limit of one garbage bag / can per week, you will be able to put out two garbage bags / cans every-other-week.
Only the frequency of garbage collection changes for residents and those businesses located outside designated business areas, not the limit.
More information on changes to Niagara’s waste collection program is online at NiagaraRegion.ca/waste.
