Uncollected Waste
Uncollected Waste
Did your multi-residential building receive a Non-Collection Notice or was your waste not collected? Below, please find common issues that can lead to uncollected recycling carts at Apartment and Condominiums.
Please note that collectors are instructed to leave waste/recycling behind to:
- keep collectors safe (they have a very physical job and visit dozens of locations each day),
- ensure efficient collection and/or
- prevent contamination of waste streams. Kingston is known for the high quality of its recyclables. Proper curbside sorting helps the City sell items on the recycling market. If we can’t sell an item, it cannot be accepted for recycling.
Need a cart?
If you need replacement or additional Recycling Carts, signage or other educational materials, please contact apartmentrecycling@cityofkingston.ca or 613-546-4291 ext. 2704.
Damaged Carts
Carts that are too damaged for collection staff to safely collect will be identified. Damaged cart lips or large splits in containers are a safety risk to collectors. If you receive a Non-Collection Notice for a damaged cart please contact apartmentrecycling@cityofkingston.ca or 613-546-4291 ext. 2704 to request a repair or delivery of a new cart.
Non-Acceptable Contents
Collectors are not permitted to collect non-acceptable contents from recycling carts because they contaminate the recycling stream.
Your uncollected cart may have included Mixed Materials. These means that Containers, Fibres and Glass may have been mixed in the carts. The City can only collect separated materials at apartments and condominiums, as there is no ability to do this at the recycling plant.
Non Acceptable Materials – Containers
Please remove the following non-recyclable items from the carts:
- Coloured Styrofoam
- Glass Jars and Lids
- Ceramics
- Plastic Film (stretchy film goes in the Fibres Cart)
Non Acceptable Materials – Fibres
Please remove the following non-recyclable items from the carts:
- Wrapping paper
- Bubble wrap
- Pet food bags
- Non-stretchable plastic bags like cookie bags and chip bags
- Plastic food wrap
Non Acceptable Materials – Glass
Please remove the following non-recyclable items from the carts:
- Drinking Glasses
- Flatware
- Mirrors
- Ceramics
Improper Cart Placement
Proper placement of carts ensures that wastes are seen by collectors and safe to collect.
- Ensure there are no obstacles (e.g. bags of garbage, parked cars, etc.) in front of the carts.
- In the winter, make sure that snow and ice are cleared from the area around the carts. Never place carts on a snowbank. If necessary, shovel a shelf into the side of a snowbank to allow you to place carts at ground level.
- Have an area to place the carts that allows collection trucks to easily access them, such as the edge of the parking lot or driveway and away from building overhangs or balconies.
Overfilled Carts
Overfilled carts are difficult and risky for staff to collect and can cause litter problems as material may blow or fall out of the cart when it is being emptied.
Overfilled carts, especially paper and glass carts, can be extremely heavy and may break during collection.
If you consistently have overfilled carts, please contact apartmentrecycling@cityofkingston.ca to request additional carts.
Tied Plastic Bags
Recyclable items must be placed loosely in your carts, with the exception of plastic bags. Bagged recycling products jam equipment and prevent line workers from efficiently sorting items at the recycling plant.
Oversized Cardboard
When oversized cardboard is placed in the Fibres cart it can jam the cart and prevent it from being emptied. Large cardboard boxes and pieces must be flattened and/or cut down to be less than 90cm x 60cm and placed between recycling carts for collection. Cardboard may be bundled (no more than 20cm wide) with twine or placed out loosely for collection. Small pieces of cardboard, such as pizza boxes, or small shipping boxes, may be placed in the cart for collection.