‘ONE CONTAINER’ PHASED-IN LIMIT ON GARBAGE
Top 11 Questions Answered by City of Hamilton

1. When does the one container limit come into effect?
   The one container limit comes into effect March 31, 2008.
2. What does a ‘phased-in’ approach mean?
   Residents will be given time to adjust to the one container limit.
   March 31, 2008 through March 28, 2009
   We will continue to collect up to 3 containers of garbage per household per week. Collection crews will take note of addresses with more than 1 garbage container at the curb so that we can follow-up with additional education in the form of a letter or a visit by customer service staff. Any additional container(s) above 3 will be tagged with Oops! stickers and left behind.
   March 30, 2009 – April 3, 2010
   We will collect 1 container of garbage and 1 clear garbage bag (provided that the clear bag does not contain acceptable blue box and / or green cart material(s)) per household per week. Collection crews will take note of addresses with more than 1 garbage container at the curb so that we can follow-up with additional education in the form of a letter or a visit by customer service staff. Any additional garbage container(s) above 1 (in an opaque bag or in a clear bag containing acceptable blue box and / or green cart material(s)) will be tagged with Oops! stickers and left behind.
   April 5, 2010 – onward
   We will collect 1 container of garbage per household per week. Collection crews will take note of addresses with more than 1 garbage container at the curb so that we can follow-up with additional education in the form of a letter or a visit by customer service staff. Addresses that are continually unable to and / or unwilling to comply (unless they have approval through the special consideration process) will be referred to By-Law and Enforcement for follow-up.
3. What has changed from the original recommendation presented to the Public Works Committee on Monday, November 19, 2007?
   The phase-in process has been extended to accommodate an additional year of education and outreach. Instead of the proposed 2-year phase-in, a 3-year phase-in will take place between now and 2010. The additional year was placed in between collection of 3 garbage containers per household per week (March 31, 2008 – March 28, 2009) and 1 garbage container per household per week (April 5, 2010 – onward). Between March 30, 2009 – April 3, 2010 crews will collect 1 container of garbage and 1 clear garbage bag (provided that it does not contain acceptable blue box and / or green cart material(s)) per household per week.
4. What is the definition of ‘one container’?
   One plastic bag that does not contain more than 23 kilograms (50 lbs) of garbage.
   One rigid, reusable container having a volume of less than 135 litres (30 gal) and does not contain more than 23 kilograms (50 lbs) of garbage.
   Either of these is considered ‘one container’.
5. What special considerations will be made?
   A special consideration process is being developed for medical circumstances and families with three or more children under the age of five demonstrating a need for additional waste containers. Special considerations will be reviewed on an annual basis to account for changing circumstances. The limit would be 3 containers of garbage per household per week.
   Approval of special considerations will need to be granted by March 30, 2009 in order to accommodate the garbage container limit coming into effect at that time.
6. How is a multi-family house expected to keep to a one container limit?
   All ‘eligible properties’ as defined in the Solid Waste Management By-Law 05-190 would be subject to the one container limit, thus eligible properties with up to the maximum of 5 legal dwelling units would be allowed one container per unit each week.
7. What about families with children in diapers and / or adults using incontinence products?
   A special consideration process is being recommended for medical circumstances and families with three or more children under the age of five demonstrating a need for additional waste containers. Special considerations would be reviewed on an annual basis to account for changing circumstances. The limit would be three containers of garbage per household per week.
   Approval of special considerations will need to be granted by March 30, 2009 in order to accommodate the garbage container limit coming into effect at that time.
8. What about businesses (such as restaurants) and apartment buildings? Are they mandated to recycle?
   Apartment buildings and businesses are currently required “to provide a source-separation program” to facilitate for reuse or recycling as mandated by Ontario Regulation 103/94.
   Businesses that are considered ‘eligible properties’ are subject to mandatory recycling through the Solid Waste Management By-Law 05-190.
9. How does the one container garbage limit affect eligible businesses receiving curbside collection service?
   Businesses that are eligible for curbside waste collection service by the City of Hamilton will be required to apply through the special consideration process described in Question 5. Focus will be placed on education to maximize the waste diversion of businesses.
10. What does a household do if they happen to, on occasion, have more than the allowable limit of garbage containers and are not eligible for special consideration?
    Grace periods for the week following Victoria Day, Thanksgiving and New Years will permit residents to set out up to 3 containers of garbage per household for one week.
    Residents can also take additional containers to one of the City’s three Community Recycling Centres for disposal. Fees apply.
11. How long will it take for apartments to get green carts?
    Implementation is currently in progress. Full implementation is scheduled for completion in 2009.