Editor's note: The following program does not apply to the City of Barrie, which handles its own waste collection, but it does affect the neighbouring towns and townships.
*************************
NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
*************************
On Nov. 1, waste collection services in Simcoe County change to a new, easy and safe automated cart collection system. To support residents, the County is moving to a new four-day collection schedule allowing crews to return to any missed areas due to inclement weather on Fridays. Under the new four-day schedule, many households will have a new collection day and time.
Approximately 450,000 carts have been distributed in the run-up to Nov. 1. All eligible residences and businesses should have received three new waste carts by Oct. 23. If your household or business has not received your carts by then, please contact our Service Simcoe Contact Centre at 1-800-263-3199 or [email protected].
Each cart has a serial number and is assigned to the location where it was dropped off. Please remember to write your address in the white space on your carts.
Starting Nov. 1, residents will also see a new waste collection contractor picking up carts in our communities. We welcome Miller Waste Services and their new fleet of over 90 automated collection vehicles and vehicle operators, with many employees joining from our current collection contractor.
Automated cart collection is commonly used across North America and brings many benefits to residents, including:
- Added vertical storage
- Consolidate a variety of smaller bins, bags and containers into three carts
- Good for the environment, with more room for organics
- Lids on all carts protect against windblown litter and impacts from critters
- Cut down on lifting and trips to the curb! With wheels and ergonomic handles, just roll out two carts each week
- Safer for everyone, with touchless automated collection
- Carts will also ensure continuity of collection service and help to reduce potential for widespread collection impacts previously experienced
For further information on our new cart program, visit carts.simcoe.ca.
New Collection Days
The change to automated cart collection will mean that many households will have a new collection day and time when they roll their two carts to the curb starting Nov. 1.
The frequency of collection does not change, with weekly organic collection and alternating weeks for garbage and recycling continuing (the week of Nov. 1 will be organics and recycling collection). Residents can confirm their new collection day through the following resources:
- Visit carts.simcoe.ca and click on the New Collection Schedule tab
- Download our free Simcoe County Collects app on your mobile device to receive reminders and alerts
- A printable map that shows the collection days for residents as of Nov. 1
- Collection day change details and the map are included in your new Solid Waste Management Calendar and the fall edition of our Managing Your Waste mailer
- Our interactive map allows you to zoom in and search by your address to find your new collection day
- Our interactive waste collection widget is available on our website and allows you to search by your address to generate a personalized collection calendar
Cart Set-out Instructions:
The County has a number of resources available to support residents with the change, including FAQs and helpful videos posted on carts.simcoe.ca. Please see the set-out requirements below:
- Have your materials at the road/curb by 7 a.m. of your new collection day. Collection times may continue to change for some time while new routes are optimized
- Place carts on a level surface within eight feet of the traveled portion of the road, avoiding low hanging branches
- Remember the Rule of 2: Set out carts 2 feet apart, with 2 feet between your cart and any other objects
- Point the arrows on the carts toward the street and handles toward your house
- Do not over-stuff carts, fill loosely, ensure lid is fully closed
- Do not use bungee cords or other items to keep the cart lids closed
More information on setting out your carts is available at carts.simcoe.ca
“After a significant effort from staff and our contractors, we’re ready to roll out our new, easy and safe cart collection program on November 1. We recognize that this is a big change for residents, and we have a number of resources available to support with the switch to carts including tips with storage, set-out instructions and tools to identify new collection days. As seen in other municipalities, we’re confident that residents will quickly appreciate the many benefits of cart collection. We are listening to residents regarding your storage concerns, and at the end of October, County Council will consider offering cart size options to residents following the launch of the program,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell.
*************************
