Waste Collection in Snowy/Icy Conditions

Winter weather may provide some challenges for Central Okanagan residents and collection crews for curbside pickups.   By working together, we can keep everything moving smoothly.

During snowy/icy road conditions, your garbage and recycling collection may be delayed. If your pickup is missed on your collection day, leave your carts out until collection occurs, and please be patient, safety comes first.                

The Regional Waste Reduction Office reminds you slippery roads, especially on sloped or more challenging streets may not be safe for large collection vehicles, workers, or residents. The first priority is to clear roads to make them safe, and make collection possible. Residents whose garbage or recycling has not been picked up should continue to leave it out for collection, and the waste haulers will pick it up as soon as possible. (Do not bring your carts back in until they have been emptied to ensure your collection is not missed.)

In winter months, it may be necessary to alter the regular placement of your carts to ensure the collection vehicle can reach them.  Find or clear an unobstructed site to put your carts out for collection.

• Put carts as close as possible to the street, without obstructing the street, sidewalk or bike lane. (Often placing your carts on either side of your driveway allows for greater ease for the collection trucks and for you.)
• Keep carts off the travelled portion of the roadway so as not to interfere with snow plows- do not place carts in a location where the snow plow will hit them.
•  Please have your carts out for collection by 7 a.m. (Avoid placing your carts out  the night before collection and bring them away from the road as soon as possible, to avoid interfering with snow plows often working late) Clear your cart of snow and ice to ensure the lid opens when cart is tipped.
• The cart should be no closer than three feet from any obstacle, parked car, or other cart – an arm’s length spacing is required between each cart.
• Do not place carts behind or on top of snow banks.
• General Safety: As the waste collection carts are equipped with wheels, please use extra caution when wheeling them in snowy and icy conditions.

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