GARBAGE FAQs
Q: What can I put in my garage bag at the curb?
A: Acceptable Garbage Bags at the Curb
Q: Can I use black bags?
A: Yes, black bags are accepted, however transparent bags are encouraged
Q: Do I need a bag tag for my garbage?
A: Yes, each bag of garbage placed at the curb requires a valid Town bag tag attached to it (not attached to the can if you set out a can)
Q: Where can I buy my tags?
A: Town Hall (Cheque or Debit ONLY); Home Hardware; Metro; Shoppers Convenience Store; White’s Convenience Store. Tags are sold in booklets of 10.
Q: Can I stick the bag tag to my garbage can?
A: No, a valid (whole) tag must be affixed to each bag of garbage.
Q: Where should I place my bag tag onto my garbage bag?
A: Peel and stick the entire tag on the top of your bag, so it is visible to the driver. Do not wrap your tag around the ties of your bag. The whole tag must be visible.
Q: Does my garbage bag have to be placed inside a can before I take it to the curb?
A: No, bags can be placed at the curb with or without a can
Q: Is there a bag limit for garbage each week?
A: Yes, 4 bag limit per household per week
Q: Is there a weight limit for my garbage bag?
A: Yes, weight limit is 40 lbs.
Q: What day is my garbage collected?
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: What time does my garbage need to be out at the curb?
A: No later than 7:00am on your day of collection
Q: Can I put my garbage out the night before my collection day?
A: It is not encouraged due to critters, as garbage attracts wildlife
Q: Does the Town collect garbage and recycling from by business?
A: No, curbside collection is for households only
Q: If I missed the collection truck because I placed my bags out too late, will the truck come back?
A: No, not until your next regular collection day
Q: Why did my garbage not get picked up?
A: Possible reasons for no collection: bags were placed at the curb too late and you missed the truck; bags were not visible - hidden behind a parked car or tree/bush and not in plain sight for the driver; bags contained materials that are not accepted; bags were scattered before the truck arrived; truck was unable to access the street due to a parked vehicle blocking the street/alley or construction taking place; truck had mechanical difficulties
Q: Does the Town provide large item collection?
A: No
Q: How do I get rid of my old couch, mattress, chair, etc?
A: The Town holds special event days Residential Cleanup "Dump Days, or disposal at a waste contractor’s station in Kingston or Brockville
Q: Does the Town collect brush and yard waste?
A: Yes, but only during scheduled times Yard Waste Collection Service
Q: When can I take my brush to the Public Works (PW) yard?
A: Hours of Operation and access is via James A. Brennan Rd only.
Q: When I went to the PW yard, the gates were closed and I couldn’t get rid of my leaves, why?
A: The Site was closed. If the gates are closed the Site is not open – check the calendar for hours of operation, https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling. Access to the Yard is via James A. Brennan Rd only.
Q: How and where do I get rid of my hazardous waste?
A: At special event days held by the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville Household Hazardous Waste Days.
Q: Who do I call if I still have questions?
A: Public Works Office at 613-382-2149 Ext 1613 or email pwinfo@gananoque.ca
RECYCLING FAQs
Q: What day is my recycling collected?
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: Can I put all my blue box recycling out each week?
A: No, the Town provides alternate week recycling
Q: What can I put in my blue box?
A: Acceptable Blue Box Recyclable Items
Q: How do I know what material to put out each week?
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: Does the Town provide me with a free blue box?
A: No
Q: Can I buy a blue box at Town Hall?
A: No, blue boxes can be purchased at local retailers
Q: If my blue box breaks how do I get a new one?
A: You can purchase a new blue box at a local retailer
Q: Do I have to use a blue box for my recycling?
A: No, you can use a tote, transparent bag or a cardboard box
Q: Can I put my recyclables in a dark bag?
A: No, transparent bag only - bag must be transparent to identify the material as recycling
Q: Where do I buy transparent or clear blue bags for my recycling?
A: At a local retailer
Q: Do I need a bag tag for my recycling?
A: No, recycling is collected free of charge
Q: What time does my recycling need to be placed at the curb?
A: No later than 7:00am on your collection day
Q: Can I put my recycling out the night before my collection day?
A: It is not encouraged due to critters, as this could attract wildlife
Q: Can I mix my plastic bottles, glass bottles, jars and metal cans all together in one bag or box?
A: Yes, you can co-mingle your Containers
Q: Do I need to remove the lids from my glass bottles and jars before I recycle them?
A: Yes, and place them in the same bag as your Containers
Q: Why does my recycling need to be clean before I can set it out?
A: We recycle the Containers, not the product
Q: Why did my recycling not get picked up today?
A: Possible reasons for no collection: it’s not your collection day; it was a Stat holiday and the schedule changed; recycling was placed at the curb too late and you missed the truck; recycling material was placed out the wrong week; your recycling was not clean (we recycle the container not the product); recycling was not sorted properly; it contained materials that are not accepted; recycling was not visible - hidden behind a parked car or tree/bush; recycling was scattered/wind blown before the truck arrived; truck was unable to access the street/alley due to a parked vehicle blocking the alley or due to construction
Q: Why do I do with my plastic wrap and plastic bags?
A: See the list for acceptable plastics in your recycling container, Acceptable Blue Box Recyclable Items
Q: Can I recycle old drinking glasses, coffee mugs, broken window panes; glass dishes?
A: No, glass bottles and jars only (with the lid off) can be recycled in your blue box/bag. (lid goes in the same bag)
Q: Does my cardboard have to be broken down before I set it out?
A: Yes, cardboard must be broken down.
Q: Can I place my broken-down cardboard boxes inside a cardboard box and place at the curb?
A: Yes
Q: Can I put my Styrofoam meat trays in my recycling bag?
A: No, meat trays are not recyclable and must go in your garbage bag
Q: What do I do with my larger white bulk Styrofoam - packaging material?
A: This material can be recycled at the Public Works yard in the appropriate bin, during Hours of Operation
Q: Is there a charge to recycle my white bulk Styrofoam at the Public Works Yard?
A: No
Q: Does the Town collect recycling from my business?
A: No, curbside collection is for households only
Q: What do I do with my recycling from my business?
A: You can rent a bin from a contractor; have a contractor collect it; or transport it to a local waste disposal company
Q: Where do I take my old BBQ/scrap metal?
A: To the scrap metal bin at the Public Works Yard, Scrap Metal Recycling Program
Q: Is there a charge to take my scrap metal to the Public Works Yard?
A: No
Q: Can I take my blue box recycling to the Public Works yard?
A: No, curbside collection is offered weekly
Q: What do I do with my old electronics?
A: Dispose of them free of charge at the Public Works Yard, Electronic Waste Recycling Program
Q: Where is the Public Works yard for my scrap metal and white bulk styrofoam?
A: 665 Charles Street – ACCESS ONLY via James A Brennan Road
Q: Does the Town provide leaf and yard waste collection?
A: Yes, in the spring and fall each year, Yard Waste Collection Service
Q: Can I place my leaves and yard waste at the curb in plastic bags?
A: No, paper bags only and only during the specified times for special collection
Q: What do I do with my brush and yard waste when collection is not offered?
A: Take it to the Public Works Yard at 665 Charles Street – ACCESS ONLY via James A. Brennan Rd when the Site is open, free of charge
Q: What do I do with my old real Christmas tree when I’m ready to part with it?
A: Take it to the Lou Jefferies arena, east side of the building, off Wilson Dr and place it in the tree pile or alternatively place it at the curb prior to mid January and Town staff will collect it.
Q: What do I do with my string of old Christmas lights that no longer work?
A: Take them to the PW Yard and recycle them in the scrap metal bin.
Q: What do I do with my old extension cords that no longer work?
A: Bring them to the PW yard and recycle them in the scrap metal bin.
Q: What do I do with my old paint cans that are empty, dried out and wiped?
A: Metal paint cans, wiped out, dried, with the lid off can be recycled in the scrap
metal bin at the PW yard. DO NOT BRING PAINT as we cannot accept it.
Q: When is the Public Works Yard open?
A: Hours can be found here, Hours of Operation. Please note hours change for the winter.
Q: What can I bring to the PW Yard?
A: Electronics, scrap metal, white bulky Styrofoam, brush, leaves, yard waste.
Q: If I still have questions, who can I call about my garbage and recycling?
A: Call the Public Works Office at 613-382-2149 Ext 1613 or email pwinfo@gananoque.ca
