January 20, 2000

 

City Begins Full-Scale Yard Trimmings Collection Program

The City of Vancouver is making the yard trimmings collection program part of its regular garbage and recycling collection schedule.

Starting February 1, 2000, yard trimmings will be collected once every two weeks from single-family, and smaller multi-family residences that currently receive standard City garbage and recycling collection. (The program does not apply to apartment residents.)

The City began collecting yard trimmings as a pilot project last June. This initiative, along with the fall leaf collection program, prevented more than 4,000 tonnes of yard waste from going into the landfill. The waste was turned into compost for City landscaping and public sale.

For each collection day, residents may set out up to three cans, bags or bundles of compostable yard waste such as: leaves, grass or hedge clippings, plants, small brush or branches, and dry seed pods (e.g. pine cones). Non-organic material, dirt, sod, stones, stumps, or food waste will not be accepted.

This year, residents will receive in the mail with their collection schedules, "yard can" labels that may be used to specially designate a garbage can for yard trimmings only. Yard cans are easier to fill, save on buying bags, and stop plastic bags from going into the landfill. Yard trimmings in biodegradable kraft paper bags, clear plastic bags, or tied with string in bundles will still be accepted.

Collection schedules are also available at the Web site www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/

For more information on this and other recycling programs, call the Recycling Hotline at 323-7710.

 

Media enquiries:    

Kevin Van Vliet
Solid Waste Management
873-7992

 

(c) 2000 City of Vancouver