City Advisory: Trash Collection & Wheelie Bins
The City of Hamilton said they “would like to remind the public that there are policies and procedures in place to control how refuse is collected by the City.”
“Due to the lack of effective enforcement the City encounters violations including waste being deposited outside of designated collection times, inappropriate items deposited on sidewalks, wheelie-bins being incorrectly used, liquid and semi-liquid items improperly deposited, and items being improperly separated,” a spokesperson said.
“The result is a sanitary and orderly City being compromised with unhealthy, unsightly and obstructive situations on City sidewalks that can adversely affect the public as well as increase health risks to the City refuse collection crews.
“In recent years the Corporation has attempted to remedy these violations by means of a City Ordinance but, after consultation with the Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers, it has been determined that the production of regulations under the Waste and Litter Control Act 1987 can meet the objectives of the Corporation, which is working alongside the Government, to this end.”
City Engineer, Patrick Cooper, said, “Part of this legislation deals with the handling of garbage with fully enclosed wheeled dumpsters – wheelie bins – which, once the new legislation is in effect, will be required by all businesses and will greatly limit access to garbage by rats and other vermin.
“There will also be teeth in the Act enabling fines to be imposed upon those putting out their garbage early or in inappropriate containers- especially cooking oils and grease.
“The Wheelie Bin project has been in place for several years now where businesses, retailers and also residents can apply to the City for a lidded bin[s] as a way to keep garbage contained, not only keeping it free from rodents and other vermin but they also serve to make the collection of the garbage easier as they can be lifted by the refuse trucks and their contents deposited into the truck hopper thus minimizing any injury to the refuse collectors.”
The City added, “Many of the City retailers and restaurants have already taken advantage of the wheelie bins but the City extends another call out for those that have not yet applied for a bin to do so. Wheelie bins will be made mandatory in the near future so businesses are urged to plan ahead and apply. As an incentive, the City is offering the first wheelie bin for any business free of charge.”
“Those businesses currently using wheelie bins are reminded that all of their refuse should go into the bins, trash bags should not be left on the sidewalks. The City currently has four different sizes of wheelie bins available and also offers blue recycling bins.
“For the Wheelie Bin application please contact the City at dbean@cityhall.bm or call 292-1234 ext.203. A Garbage Collection schedule can be downloaded from the City’s website – www.cityofhamilton.bm.”
The Garbage Collection Schedule follows below [PDF here]:
The Wheelie Bin and Dumpster Application follows below [PDF here]:
