Landlords and Property Managers

Who is eligible for our waste collection programs?

Responsibilities of landlords and property managers

1. Contact Circular Materials to learn more about the blue box program.
2. Teach residents how to properly sort, prepare, and set out waste items to make sure collection is safe and efficient and prevent litter. Go to our Publications and Resources page for flyers and other resources, that you can share with your tenants.
3. If residents do not follow the rules of our Bans and By-law, landlords and property owners may be fined and/or ordered to appear in court. For serious or repeat offences, you may receive a summons, and if convicted, may receive a fine of up to $5,000. In addition to a ticket or a summons, your annual tax bill may also include a cleanup cost. Please note: The most common by-law infractions relate to early or late setout, and non-collectable materials that are not removed from the curb.
4. If your building has curbside collection, ensure residents are using the proper waste containers (garbage cans and bags, green bins), and have extras available for holidays. 
5. Monitor setout and ensure residents follow the rules. Waste limits apply at all times including tenant move-in and move-out periods. Learn about limits for garbage, and bulky items. And see our Bans and By-law page for more details.
6. Clear snow and ice in a timely manner to ensure collection crews can safely access waste materials.
7. Ensure there are no parked cars blocking access to waste containers.
8. Check for low-hanging branches and wires. Many recycling trucks are top-loading and need plenty of overhead space.
9. Remove contamination (unacceptable material).

Collection rules and reporting collection issues

If your buildings are eligible for our collection services,

• Set out items no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day.
• All empty containers and uncollected items must be removed from the curb no later than 9 a.m. the day after your collection day.
• Collection crews will sticker items that are not accepted in our program.
• For more collection rules including weight and item limits, collection schedules, go to our Waste Collection Requirements page.

If waste was not collected:

1. Ensure that it was set out on time and properly
2. Check for Oops or other stickers that the collector may have left to identify an issue.

3. For any recycling collection inquiries please reach out to your recycling contractor.  They can be contacted about replacement boxes, missed collection and any other recycling questions.

   If you live in Cambridge, Kitchener or Waterloo contact:

   Miller Waste Systems - Email: area22@millerwaste.ca, Phone: 1-888-852-3450

   If you live in North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot or Woolwich contact:

   Emterra Environmental - Email: customercareont@emterra.ca, Phone: 1-888-597-1541

4. For any other curbside collection issues, please report your collection concern by completing the online form or contact the Call Centre at 519-575-4400. 

Set up your building for successful waste diversion

Here are some ideas to help your building reduce, reuse, and recycle waste successfully:

1. Set environmental goals for your building. Send progress reports to your residents on a regular basis.
2. Add a clause in lease agreements which requires waste sorting and recycling.
3. Have a "green" champion or committee to help educate and promote the programs.
4. Create "eco-depots" in common areas to help residents sort waste. Each area would have containers for garbage and recyclables (including organics!): 
• Consider chute rooms, laundry rooms, fitness room, mail room, community/party rooms, main floor "garbage" rooms, lobby, parking garage,
• Ensure areas are convenient to access, well-lit, clean, and monitored and emptied on a regular basis, and
• Label containers and post instructions.
5. Many buildings have recycling carts outside next to garbage dumpsters. Here are tips to make sure it's easy to access and use:
   • Store carts on a concrete or asphalt surface so that the area is easier to maintain and carts are easy to move.
   • Build a shelter to protect residents and carts from the weather and prevent snow buildup.
   • Monitor and clean the carts and area on a regular basis. 
   • Keep it open to residents at all times.
   • Use solar and motion-activated lights to lower energy costs.
6. Educate new residents about the collection programs. Welcome them with an information package which could include waste reduction tips, and show them where the garbage and recycling containers are located. Explain other diversion programs that may be available at your building, and in the community. (Check out our waste reduction tips, and information about the Region of Waterloo's drop-off programs, and stewardship/vendor take-back programs.)
7. Ensure all residents are using approved containers and that there are enough containers to handle the amounts of waste generated (even during holidays). TIP! Write the building address on containers in permanent marker. 
8. Monitor the amount and type of garbage, organics, and recyclables set out to discover how to best focus messaging to residents.
9. Post flyers, reminders and other information in common areas such as entrance ways and laundry rooms.
10. Consider providing information about, or setting up special events to swap reusable household goods, or collect household hazardous waste, electronics or other items. Through stewardship programs, many local businesses have free take-back programs for various residential products. 

How to help tenants sort waste

Each waste stream accepts only certain materials due to regulations, bans and by-laws, health and safety concerns, environmental impacts, and other issues.

leave behind containers that contain unacceptable material. Here are ways to help tenants sort waste: 

1. Promote and educate on a regular basis. This could include having "staging" areas. Some buildings have sorting stations in common areas (such as chute rooms) and then building staff or volunteers sort the materials into the containers that get picked up. This helps to monitor participation, better target education, and assure well-sorted materials for collection.

   • creating boards with actual examples of what is and/or is not accepted,
   • posting instructions,
   • hosting meetings, workshops or presentations, and 
   • distributing flyers, newsletters and updates. Go to our Publications and Resources page for printable flyers, brochures and information sheets for all of our programs.

2. Monitor waste containers on a regular basis. Remove unacceptable material as quickly as possible to avoid others thinking it's acceptable, and to prevent an uncollectable container.

3. Encourage residents to use our free Waste Whiz App. For residents who participate in our curbside waste collection programs and have smart phones, our app is helpful to find collection schedules, set up reminders, and search for "what goes where". Note:  Waste Whiz does not have information about our Cart programs, but the same materials are collected.

How to deal with corrugated cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is bulky and banned from landfill. As well, we limit the number of recycling carts for corrugated cardboard. If your building produces a lot of cardboard, please consider:

1. Contracting services. Shop around, and hire a bin and collection service from a waste hauler. 

2. Bringing cardboard to one of the Region's waste management sites. Fees will apply.

Tips for setting up food waste reduction and recycling programs (seven or more units)

• Contact Circular Materials to learn about the recycling program.
• Determine the amount of organics being produced. Generally, organics can make up 30 to 50 per cent of garbage, or each apartment/townhouse unit could generate one to three kilograms per week.

• Provide food waste reduction ideas such as shopping tips, planning meals, storing food correctly, etc. Check for information online, such as our waste reduction, food waste reduction, and options for dealing with green bin organics sections.

• Determine the level of interest there is in starting an organics recycling program at your building. Consider conducting a survey, and organizing a "green team".

• Is composting onsite an option? Check our Compost page which also includes information about vermicomposting (composting with worms).

• For large buildings with private garbage collection, investigate your current garbage contract to ensure there is flexibility. Then, shop around to find a waste hauler that meets your needs. Find out the types of organics accepted, costs, collection frequency and flexibility (since more organics may be generated during holidays), and supply of promotional materials and containers (including in-unit kitchen containers).

• When starting a new program, promotion is key. Inform residents about the program and their responsibilities ahead of time. Consider holding meetings with residents, put up lobby displays, and distribute newsletters or door hangers.

• Once the program begins, monitor participation, report results, and address any issues in a timely manner.