With the start of the bi-weekly program, collection schedules have changed. Grey lid garbage totes will be collected every other week and blue lid recycling totes the alternate week. Implementing bi-weekly curbside garbage/recycling encourages more recycling, diverts waste from the landfill and helps decrease Municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

“We are very pleased to commence our long awaited curbside recycling program. This program will allow us to increase the diversion of waste away from the Squamish Landfill in a manner that is both convenient and cost effective for our residents,” said Mayor Greg Gardner.

During the months of November and December, Squamish residents received a new blue lid recycle tote to use for all recyclable materials except for glass. All homeowners should have received a bin and an information package. The package contains a collection schedule showing pickup times, an information sheet on the curbside program, how to use your new recycling tote and answers to frequently asked questions.

The new recycling program began January 5 with the goal to make recycling easier for District residents to reduce Landfill waste and encourage recycling/reuse-it alternatives. All recyclable material can go into the bin except for glass. The new recycling program cannot handle glass, as it contaminates the recycling and creates a hazard for sorting. Return glass for a refund where applicable or drop off glass containers at Carney’s Waste Systems at 38950 Queens Way, Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The new program replaces the three Squamish recycle depots in Valleycliffe; Government Road; and Downtown. These depot sites will be closing January 31, 2009. Residents with large volumes of recycling can drop excess recycling off at Carneys’ Recycle Centre.

Squamish is bear country and part of the mandate for the new bi-weekly pick up is to have all grey lid garbage totes bear-proofed by April 2009. Carney’s will be bear-proofing the totes between now and April 2009 at the curbside on garbage day. Once your bin has been bear-proofed, residents are required to undo the latches on the bear-proof tote on collection day.

Implementing bi-weekly curbside garbage/ recycling pick up is part of Squamish’s 12-step pledge to take action on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and do its part to reduce global warming pollution.

For more information on when you should take out the garbage or recycling, consult the District’s Garbage and Recycling Collection schedule online at www.squamish.ca or call Carney’s Waste Systems at 604.892.5675.