Garbage and Recycling Pick Up Changes as of April 1, 2013
There are some changes coming to how we pick up garbage and recycling in Hamilton. As of April 1, 2013, the City will be doing things a little differently to make things easier, and more convenient, as you sort your waste each week and put it out a the curb for pick up.
Garbage / Trash Tags
What is happening to waste pick up?
Changes are being made to how the City picks up your recycling, garbage and food scraps (green bin). Enhancements include more frequent yard waste and bulk goods collection, allowance of bigger blue boxes, and a “trash tag” system for extra garbage.
When is it happening?
The changes will take effect as of April 1, 2013.
What is a “trash tag”?
A trash tag is a long, narrow sticker that is to be used on extra bags / cans of garbage (above the one container limit).
Why do we need to use trash tags?
The purpose of the tags is to replace Amnesty Weeks – allowing them to be used on extra garbage any week of the year. They DO NOT need to be used on the first bag / can of garbage each week.
Will there still be “amnesty weeks”?
No, there will no longer be “amnesty weeks”. They are being replaced with trash tags.
How and when will I get my trash tags?
Trash tags will be mailed through Canada Post during March along with the City’s 2013 Garbage and Recycling Guide.
Where do I put my trash tags? / How do I put my trash tags on my garbage bag / container?
- Trash tags come with an adhesive backing (they have glue on their backs).
- Remove a trash tag from the piece of paper it came on and stick it on your extra container(s) of garbage.
- Trash tags MUST BE VISIBLE to collectors.
They can be:
- Wrapped around the top of your garage bag (preferred)
- Stuck on a piece of garbage that is sitting on the top of your garbage can.
- Do not put a trash tag on your garbage can itself.
Do I need to put trash tags on every one of my garbage bags / containers?
No. You do not need to put a trash tag on your first bag / container of garbage. You need to put one trash tag on each bag or can of garbage above the one container limit.
How many trash tags do I get?
You will get 12 trash tags mailed to you with your 2013 Garbage and Recycling Guide. After you receive your first 12 trash tags with your 2013 Garbage and Recycling Guide, you can call (905) 546-CITY (2489), email or visit us online at hamilton.ca/waste to request an additional 14 tags.
Where can I go in person to get more trash tags?
You can go to any one of the City’s six Municipal Service Centres or City Hall to pick up your additional trash tags in person.
How much will trash tags cost?
Trash tags are paid for through annual property taxes. There is no additional cost for them.
How long can I use my trash tags for? / Will they expire? / When will they expire?
Trash tags will be good for one year beginning each April. Therefore, the tags you receive in March 2013 will be good for one year beginning April 1, 2013 and expire at the end of March 2014. New tags will be sent to you each year.
What is changing about yard waste pick up?
You can put out as much yard waste as you would like to all year round on your scheduled pick up day. This is a change from the current / previous schedule of every-other-week pick up during the Spring and Fall. Knowing whether you live in a purple zone or a yellow zone (as indicated on last year’s pick up calendar) is no longer necessary.
What is changing about bulk pick up?
You can now call in to book a bulk pick up every week.
How far in advance do I have to call in to schedule a bulk pick up?
Call in at least one week before you want your big garbage picked up.
What is changing about the Community Recycling Centres (CRCs)?
There are no changes being made to the CRCs.
The Kenora CRC is located at 460 Kenora Avenue (north of Barton) and is open all year, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Bulk Up
What is changing about bulk pick up?
You can now call in to book a bulk pick up every week.
How far in advance do I have to call in to schedule a bulk pick up?
Call in at least one week before you want your big garbage picked up.
How do I get my bulk stuff picked up?
Call (905) 546-CITY (2489) to book a bulk pick up.
How much bulk can I put out each time?
You can put out up to four (4) items each time you call to book a bulk pick up.
A great story came into the Ward 2 office the other day by way of Jack Brown.
Here’s what happened:
At the start of the “Lengths Swim” at Bennetto Pool on Friday, December 28th, one of the regular swimmers appeared to suffer a heart attack in the pool. Rec staff jumped into action, using the Public Access Defibrillator machine to stabilize the swimmer until EMS arrived.
A big thanks goes out to Lifeguards Lorraine Green & Adam Freeman, Recreation Coordinator Carri Stonehouse, and Mark Fingland, who works with the fire department, but was off duty & at the swim that day, for responding so quickly. Lorraine was first on the scene and very quick to react, recognizing something was wrong. The four then did CPR until Adam could operate the defib machine on the stricken man.
Bennetto staffers James Allen, Heather Davidson & Cyndy Bramwell also helped by calling EMS immediately, as the man had lost consciousness and was not breathing. EMS arrived & promptly took the man to the General Hospital. When taken from Bennetto, the man was conscious and responsive to EMS staff.
Here we have another great example that the quicker a patient can be defibrillated, the better the outcome. Having one of our Public Access Defibrillators at the rec centre, combined with the quick actions of staff, made a difference for this patient and his family. Great work team! Congratulations and our sincere thanks!A great story came into the Ward 2 office the other day by way of Jack Brown.
City of Hamilton – West Nile Virus Update
HAMILTON, ON – October 10, 2012 - The City of Hamilton Public Health Services continues to monitor for the extent of West Nile virus (WNV) in the city. We remind the public to take precautions to protect from mosquito bites to avoid infection.
Adult Mosquito Surveillance Results
Week of October 1st:
No positive mosquito ‘pool’ (batch of mosquitoes from a trap)
Total for Season:
Thirty-three (33) positive mosquito pools (batches of mosquitoes from traps)
Human Case Surveillance Results
Hamilton: Twenty (20) as of October 1st. Note that as of September 19, 2012, all cases in Hamilton are now classified as confirmed.
The rationale is that health units in provincial zones of Eastern, Central East, Toronto, South West, and Central West* have confirmed cases so all previous and subsequent probable cases are to be considered confirmed if they meet the required testing and clinical requirements.
*Central West includes Hamilton, Brant County, Region of Waterloo, Niagara Region, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton Region, and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
Ontario Human Cases: Check Public Health Ontario at www.oahpp.ca/resources/vector-borne-disease-surveillance-reports.html#WNVfor current provincial totals. Human case activity is reported by the end of the day every Wednesday during the surveillance season.
Hamilton Positive Mosquito Pools in the 2012 Season
Ancaster 0
Dundas 2
Flamborough 0
Glanbrook 0
West Mountain 3
Central Mountain 4
East Mountain 0
Lower West Hamilton 1
Lower Central Hamilton 4
Lower East Hamilton 12
Lower Stoney Creek 7
Upper Stoney Creek 0
Totals 33
Number of Positive Pools (Batches) – Date Collected – Date Reported Positive – Area
1 – July 17, 2012 – July 20, 2012 – Central Mountain
3 – July 24, 2012 – July 27, 2012 – Central Mountain, Lower East Hamilton, Lower Stoney Creek
3 – July 31, 2012 – August 2, 2012 – Lower East Hamilton (2), Lower West Hamilton
7 – August 7, 2012 – August 10, 2012 – Lower Stoney Creek (2), Lower East Hamilton (2), Central Mountain, Dundas (2)
7 – August 14, 2012 – August 16, 2012 – Lower Stoney Creek, Lower East Hamilton (3), Lower Central Hamilton (2), Central Mountain
7 – August 21, 2012 – August 24, 2012 – West Mountain (2), Lower East (2), Lower Central (2), Lower Stoney Creek
1 – August 28, 2012 – August 31, 2012- Lower Stoney Creek
0 – September 5, 2012 – September 12, 2012 – None
3 – September 11, 2012 – September 13, 2012 – West Mountain, Lower East Hamilton, Lower Stoney Creek
1 – September 18, 2012 – September 20, 2012 – Lower East Hamilton
0 – September 25, 2012 – September 27, 2012 – None
0 – October 1, 2012 – October 4, 2012- None
33
For further information about West Nile virus, City of Hamilton mosquito control programs, or precautions to take to avoid mosquito bites, please contact Public Health Services on line at hamilton.ca/westnile or by calling 905-546-3575.
City of Hamilton Monitoring Blue-Green Algae in Water at western tip of Hamilton Harbour
HAMILTON, ON August, 2 2012 – The City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services is advising residents and visitors to avoid swimming or wading near the shoreline and in shallow calm areas of water in the western end of Hamilton Harbour, particularly when a noticeable green surface scum or green discolouration of the water is observed.
“Residents are advised not to eat fish caught in these areas and not to let children or pets touch or drink the water,” says Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Hamilton’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. “Blue-green algae can be present in the water even in the absence of a visible scum and not all surface scums are toxic since they can be also caused by other, non toxic algae.”
Blue-green algae (known as cyanobacteria) has been found along the shoreline of western Hamilton Harbour with observations and positive tests at Bayfront Park boat launch, Bayfront beach, and Pier 4 boat launch. It is also likely present or could arrive shortly at other locations.
Some blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins or skin irritants. Adverse health effects are mainly caused by drinking water that is contaminated with blue-green algae toxins. Skin contact with blue-green algae contaminated water can cause skin irritation and itching. Exposure to blue-green algae toxins, if present in sufficient amounts, can cause headaches, fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, skin rashes and mucous membrane irritation.
Anyone who has recently been in direct contact with the waters of western Hamilton Harbour, and is experiencing headaches, fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, is advised to contact a physician. It must be emphasized that the safety of Hamilton’s drinking water supply is not affected by this situation.
As a precaution, warning signs have been posted at the Bayfront Park boat launch, Bayfront beach and Pier 4.
Hamilton Public Health Services is working closely with Halton Region Public Health Services and Environment Canada to monitor the situation. For more information, please call the City of Hamilton Public Health Services Safe Water Hotline at 905-546-2189 or visit hamilton.ca/safewater. More information about blue-green algae can be found at:
hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/cyanobacter-eng.php
and
who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/cyanobacteria/en
West Nile Virus Confirmed Early in Hamilton
HAMILTON , ON – July 20, 2012 – Hamilton has confirmed the earliest ever West Nile Virus (WNV) mosquitoes in Hamilton. Positive traps were located in the Central Mountain area, however, positive mosquitoes have also been confirmed in Niagara, Guelph, Halton and several GTA jurisdictions so mosquitoes carrying WNV are likely across Hamilton.
Mosquitoes collected on July 17 were positive in one trap of 29 set weekly since mid June. The previous earliest positive result was July 18, 2006. For the past five years the first positives have occurred on August 15 (2007), August 13 (2008), (None in 2009), September 1 (2010), and August 3 (2011).
“The risk for human cases of West Nile Virus infection increases when positive mosquitoes are found, “ says Dr. Meghani, Associate Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton. “These early results are not typical so it is especially important to protect yourself and family members against mosquito bites.”
While most people infected with West Nile Virus will have no symptoms, others including the older adults or those with weakened immune systems may experience West Nile fever or they may develop more severe illness including inflammation of the brain or the lining of the brain, sometimes leading to a long recovery period or death. Symptoms appear two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The most effective defense is to use a mosquito repellent containing DEET. When using mosquito repellent, carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions. Other ways to prevent being bitten include covering up when in known mosquito areas such as wooded areas, on the golf course, or in the garden, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Remember to also continue to remove or control standing water at least weekly from your properties.
The City of Hamilton continually assesses the risk for human illness and has a comprehensive surveillance and prevention program. The current risk for human infection from West Nile virus in Hamilton has moved from low to moderate based on the early 2012 positive result.
As part of its prevention efforts, the City is conducting larviciding treatments on city street catch basins. Round one began June 18th, and rounds two and three will take place in July and August. Treatment of surface waters on public land is also ongoing since late May.
Attempted Break In
Here’s a message I recently received from a member of the Durand Neighbourhood Association. Let it serve two purposes: One, that you always look out for suspicious activity in your neighbourhoods and call it in if you see it. Two, and more specifically, keep an eye out for the two suspicious characters described below.
“FYI… this just came to me from Durand members.
2 men, both white, mid twenties and a little sketchy looking were attempting to break into a car, which was parked in their driveway at 7pm last night (daylight). One man was watching the house the other was up the driveway….this happened on Markland at Bay. Please be alert and pass onto your friends in the neighbourhood. I have alerted our Crime Manager and have asked him to have his beat officers be looking out for suspicious types and or activity.
And More Importantly, Please Report. This Activity Is Especially Common Across The City.”
Council Meeting
James St. N Art Crawl
