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Town Response to COVID-19

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Garbage and Recycling

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Holiday Waste Collection 

Christmas Tree Collection 

Christmas tree pick up occurs January 12 to 15 on your regular collection day. Please place your tree at the curb by 7 a.m. and remove all decorations, nails, tree stands or plastic bags.

2021 Collection Calendar 

The 2021 Collection Calendar has arrived! Check your mailboxes for your 2021 Collection Calendar or use the Recycle Coach App above. 

COVID-19 Waste Collection Updates and Reminders 

Garbage Collection Limit 

At this time, residents may place up to five bags of untagged garbage out for collection. This includes bulky items. For example, if you have two bulky items, you may place out those and three bags of waste. 

If you have concerns regarding collection, please contact Customer Service for assistance and other arrangements at customerservice@eastgwillimbury.calinks to external site

Reminders 

  • Please hold off on disposing large bulky items until regular garbage collection resumes

  • Please use brown yard waste bags and/or label any bins clearly as Yard Waste for the collection operators. Be sure to follow Yard Waste collection tips. 

Help protect our GFL collection crews by following these tips:

  • If you or a family member are in self-isolation, it is advised to dispose of all used tissues, paper towel, used gloves and masks in a wastebasket lined with a plastic bag for disposal as garbage.
  • When emptying wastebaskets, take care to not touch any waste with your hands.
  • All used disposable contaminated items should be placed in a lined container before disposing of them with other household waste as garbage.
  • Clean your hands with soap and water after emptying the wastebasket.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Disinfectant wipes and baby wipes belong in the garbage and paper towels belong in the green bin. Don’t flush these items in the toilet as this will cause sewer blockages which may lead to a sewer back-up of your house. To search how to properly dispose items, please use York Region’s Bindicator Tool.links to external site

Diabetes Canada Textile Collection

Due to COVID-19, ALL textile donations from homes and bins across Canada has been temporarily suspended. Please store the items you want to donate at home until further notice.

Garbage Collection

 

Garbage is collected every other week on your scheduled collection day. To find your collection day, please check our online Recycle Coach app or view the Collection Map on page two of the Collection Calendar. 

Place garbage, green bins, blue boxes and yard waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled day, but not earlier than 8 p.m. the night before.

Please be advised that collection times may vary and are subject to change without notification. To check the status of today’s collection, please visit Green for Life (GFL)’s alert page.links to external site 

Collection Tags 

Collection tags allow you to set out additional garbage that is over the two item limit as well as bulky items on your scheduled collection day. Check out the image below for tips on properly displaying collection tags: 

Bag
  Garbage Can  Bulky Item

On a bag 

On a garbage can

Bulky item 
  • Wrap the collection tag around the neck of the garbage bag, folding it so both ends of the tag stick together.
  • Do not use a collection tag to seal your garbage bag. Be sure to tie your garbage bag closed first.

  • Place the collection tag around the neck of the top bag in your garbage can, not on the garbage can or the lid.
  • Place the collection tag in a clearly visible spot on any bulky item (such as the front of furniture or mattresses).

Collection tags are sold in quantities of five for $10, do not expire, and are non-refundable. To purchase collection tags, please visit Customer Service at the Civic Centre (19000 Leslie St.)

Collection Limits

Residents can place a maximum of two bags/containers of garbage at the curb every other week for collection. Use one collection tag for each standard sized garbage bag, garbage can or oversized item over the two item limit. 

Acceptable Containers for Garbage 

Metal or plastic cans 

Plastic garbage bags
  • Must have 2 handles and a secure lid
  • Do not use ties/bungee cords
  • Maximum weight 22 kg (50 lbs)
  • Maximum size 25 gallons/94 litres and 32 gallons/121 litres
  • Must be securely tied
  • No loose grocery/kitchen catcher bags
  • Do not place sharp objects inside bags
  • Maximum weight 22 kg (50 lbs)
  • Maximum size 76cm (30 inches) by 122cm (48 inches)

Who to Call 

Green for Life (GFL) 

If you have questions about missed collection, broken or damaged bin replacement, or would like to schedule a metal item pick-up please contact GFL: 

To learn the status of your collection, please visit GFL’s alert pagelinks to external site. 

Town of East Gwillimbury Customer Service 

If you have general waste collection inquires, questions about purchasing collection tags and green or blue bins, please connect with our Customer Service Team: 

  • Phone - 905-478-4282 
  • Email - Customerservice@eastgwillimbury.ca 
  • In-person – 19000 Leslie Street, Sharon ON

What goes where?

For more information on what goes where, please use our Recycle Coach App.

Did you know?

Although it may appear that your weekly recycling (blue box) and organics (green bin) are collected and thrown into a single compartment within our waste collection trucks, in fact, these side load or rear load trucks are divided into two compartments, i.e. one compartment for blue box materials and one compartment for organics.  The operator deposits the material in the proper compartment and when fully loaded, the truck goes to the York Region Material Recovery Facility for sorting.  Remember, your blue box items do not need to be sorted in the blue box.