Vernon’s new residential waste collection service launched yesterday. Residents who receive curbside pickup will now have their household organics (kitchen and yard waste) collected every week, and household garbage collected every second week.
As part of the new service, collection zones have been updated, which means some residents have a new waste collection day. You can find your collection day and garbage schedule on the City’s interactive map at vernon.ca/collectionschedule.
North Vernon and Blue Jay subdivision
Yesterday, North Vernon and the Blue Jay subdivision were scheduled to receive organics and garbage collection. Unfortunately, crews were unable to complete the full route, which means some residences were missed. Collection crews are back on the road this morning and are returning to the area north of 43rd Avenue and in the Blue Jay subdivision.
Additionally, crews will be collecting material, as scheduled, in the Harwood, East Hill, and Middleton Mountain areas of Vernon today.
The City greatly appreciates everyone’s patience and understanding as crews learn new routes and equipment.
Cardboard and paper: recycling or organics?
A number of residents have asked about the paper products that are listed as ‘acceptable materials’ in the new organics carts. Some of these items include cardboard and paper materials such as newspaper, flyers, or magazines.
Cardboard, paper, and newspaper should only be used to line your organics cart or wrap organic material (such as kitchen waste) before it’s placed in your cart. This helps keep your cart clean and makes it easier for materials to fall out of the cart when it’s emptied by the collection truck.
However, if you have larger amounts of these materials, they should be placed in your blue recycling bin, to be collected and turned into reusable products through the Recycle BC program. The organics collection program is not a replacement for the recycling program. More information on what can be recycled in BC is available at recyclebc.ca.
Community organics bin program
Residents who live in apartments or multi-family units that do not receive curbside waste collection still have an opportunity to participate in the organics diversion program.
A community organics bin remains available for residential kitchen waste at the Vernon Recreation Complex (in the parking lot near the Auditorium on 39th Avenue). Given the number of residents this bin may serve, the City requests that only kitchen organics be deposited (no yard waste).
Acceptable materials for the community bin include items such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Bones, meat (raw or cooked)
- Fats
- Eggs and eggshells
- Nuts
- Cheese
- Pasta or rice
- Sauces and syrup
- Tea bags or loose leaf tea
- Coffee grounds and soiled coffee filters
- Soiled paper products, such as paper towel
The City thanks everyone again for their participation in this new program, as we work together to divert waste from the landfill and take steps to foster a more sustainable future in Vernon.
For more information on the City’s new waste collection service and the organics program, please visit the City’s website at vernon.ca/organics.
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