Town provides update on status of waste management services

The Town of St. Marys has some good news for residents who have been busy de-cluttering and doing yard work during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Curbside leaf and yard waste collection starting May 18, 2020

Following the Province of Ontario’s lead in reducing COVID-19 restrictions, the Town has reversed its decision to delay the curbside leaf and yard waste collection program. The program will now begin on its original date of Monday, May 18, 2020 for properties in the southeast and southwest areas of St. Marys. Collection will start on the following Monday, May 25, for properties in the north and west areas of town. It will continue to be collected on the Monday of residents’ recycling week until November 23, 2020.

To protect those collecting leaf and yard waste, re-usable containers will not be permitted this year. Residents are asked to use paper bags for loose leaf and yard waste and to tie twigs and branches into small bundles. Additional information, including a calendar of collection dates and a map of collection zones is available at townofstmarys.com/yardwaste. A flyer and map will also be included in next week’s edition of the St. Marys Independent newspaper.

The Leaf and Yard Waste Depot at the Municipal Operations Centre (408 James Street South) remains open daily from dawn till dusk. Those using the depot are reminded to practice physical distancing and to be mindful of heavy equipment and fire trucks operating on the site.

Landfill to re-open on weekdays to general public

The Town is also re-opening its landfill to the public as part of its COVID-19 recovery process. As of Tuesday, May 19, 2020 the site will be open to residents for regular, non-hazardous waste disposal on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will remain closed on Saturdays.

Some restrictions will be in place at the landfill to protect the health and safety of residents and staff. The Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste Depot and the Electronic Waste Depot will be closed; these materials will not be accepted at this time. Only contactless payments (debit or credit with tap or charge account) will be accepted; the use of cash will not be permitted.

Physical distancing practices will be in place, including limits on the number of customers permitted to enter the landfill at one time. Residents may experience longer wait times for disposal as a result.

As public health recommendations to limit non-essential travel remain in place, residents are encouraged to consider whether disposing of their waste is an essential need or if it can be safely stored until service levels return to normal.

The delivery of municipal waste management services, including landfill hours and operations, will continue to be evaluated as conditions change. Questions about waste management can be directed to the Public Works Department at 519-284-2340, ext. 209 or dblake@town.stmarys.on.ca.

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Contact

Brett O’Reilly | Corporate Communications & Events Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | boreilly@town.stmarys.on.ca