Solid Waste Collection Services
What is included in the service?
The City of Armstrong has partnered with the contractor SCV Waste Solutions to provide municipal solid waste collection services. SCV Waste Solutions provides a tiered service for waste collection including:
– Weekly manual food waste collection from one City-supplied food waste bin containing a maximum of 22 kg (40 lbs.)
– Bi-weekly automated garbage collection from one 240 L City supplied garbage cart
– Bi-weekly manual green waste collection in resident-provided containers or compostable bags.
When can I expect collection of my materials?
In order to make sure your curbside containers are collected each week:
– Place the containers at the curb prior to 7 a.m. but not before 4 a.m. on your collection day
– All containers must be placed with wheels positioned away from the traveled portion of the lane so they are visible and accessible for the collectors. They must not obstruct roadways, driveways or sidewalks.
– The automated collection trucks will require one metre of space around your cart.
Curbside Collection Guidelines
The City of Armstrong provides a Curbside Collection Program within City limits. FOOD WASTE is collected every week, while GARBAGE and GREEN WASTE are collected bi-weekly on alternating weeks. Collection may take place at any time of day starting at 7 a.m. Containers must be positioned with wheels facing away from the traveled portion of the lane between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on your collection day. If collection is missed or you receive notice of rejection, please contact SCV Waste Solutions directly 250-540-9300.
Food Waste
– Each household is permitted one City provided bin for food waste that is collected every week.
– Food waste carts may contain a maximum of 22 kg (40 lbs.) of food waste for collection.
– Any bags or liners used in the food waste bins must be certified compostable. It is not mandatory that you bag your food waste, however it assists in preventing material from sticking/ freezing to the cart and odors from emanating from the cart. Regular plastic bags, such as grocery bags, are NOT permitted for food waste.
Garbage
– Each household issued one City provided 240 L cart for garbage collected bi-weekly.
– Because garbage collection is automated only the 240 L City-provided cart can be accepted for garbage collection.
Green Waste
– Each household is permitted 2 certified compostable bags or 1 container for green waste for bi-weekly collection. Bags or containers can be up to 22 kg (40 lbs.); 1-99L container or 2-120L bags. Regular plastic bags, such as grocery bags, are NOT permitted for green waste or food waste.
– Green waste includes organic matter from regular yard maintenance and can include leaves, flowers, grass clippings, stems and roots. Small branches must be no more than 12 mm (1/2”) in diameter and 75 cm (30”) long.
Recycling services are part of a provincial program. Emterra Environmental is Recycle BC‘s curbside collection contractor for packaging and paper products in our region.
Contact Emterra Environmental with any inquiries at 250-545-4245 or via email at askmebc2@emterra.ca.
10 Food Waste Tips:
1. Freeze particularly smell and messy food waste in your freezer until your collection day. (Dairy, meat, bones, shellfish)
2. Drain as much liquid as possible from your organic material before putting it in your food waste bin.
3. Wrap your food waste in a newspaper, paper towel or tissue paper to absorb excess moisture.
4. Sprinkle some baking soda, white vinegar or lemon juice in your container to help fight odors.
5. Keep your containers cool by storing them away from heat and direct sunlight. Heat speeds up decomposition and produces odor faster.
6. Fats, oils and greases must not be dumped down the drain. Let these solidify or freeze, then scrape into your food waste.
7. Soiled paper products like paper towel, napkins & tissues should go in your food waste. These are not recyclable, even if clean. Don’t put these items in your recycling.
8. Small wooden products like popsicle sticks, toothpicks and chopsticks are also accepted in your food waste. Break longer items into smaller pieces.
9. Take your food waste cart to the curb for collection every week, even if it is not full.
10. Look for certified compostable logos when purchasing liners or compostable bags for your food waste bin.
