| MAC Waste Website |
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Every city handles waste a little differently. For most students in Kingston, waste is sorted into four main categories: garbage, Grey Box recycling, Blue Box recycling, and Green Bin organic waste. This section of the MAC website provides information about the waste program in Kingston and directs students to the appropriate resources for further concerns. Index
First of all, the City of Kingston website is an extraordinary resource; it will be able to answer most of your questions about waste. Two of the services that are particularly helpful are the garbage/ recycling calendar lookup and the waste sorting lookup. The City Of Kingston Garbage / Recycling CalendarThe waste calendar allows you to enter your street name and number, and it pulls up an illustrated calendar demonstrating your weekly garbage, recycling, and organic waste pick-up day and your Grey Box/ Blue Box schedule. In the case of a holiday, your garbage will often be picked up one day later than usual, and those changes are all marked on the calendar. If it makes it easier to remember, you can always print off the printer-friendly version and stick it on your fridge.
Garbage, green bin (organics) and grey box day The City of Kingston Waste Sorting LookupThe City website also has a waste sorting lookup tool to help you figure out whether the waste goes into your garbage can, Grey Box, Blue Box, or Green Bin. Just type in the item in question and the site will pull up some options for you. For example, if you search “Apple,” the site asks you to choose between “Apple,” “Apple core,” and “Pineapple.” Click on “Apple,” and you’ll get this information:
Not every item is on the website, but there are close to 1,000 at last count. If your item is missing, you can always call the City; someone will clarify the answer for you and then add it to the website. GarbageGarbage is just about any waste that cannot be recycled or organically disposed. Garbage, like recycling and organic waste, must be put out on the curb by 6 am to be picked up. RecyclingIn Kingston, Grey Box recycling and Blue Box recycling are picked up on alternating weeks. Your recycling bin must be at the curb by 6 am, and your recycling schedule is listed online at the aforementioned link. You must use the Grey and Blue Boxes given to you by the city; any other container used to hold your recyclables will not be collected. Grey BoxUse your Grey Box for paper (including cardboard, boxboard, polyboard (like milk containers), and newspapers) and plastic bags. For more information or clarification, see the City’s Grey Box website, which includes a list of items that are and are not recyclable. Blue BoxUse your Blue Box for glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, and styrofoam and plastic containers. For more information or clarification, see the City’s Blue Box website, which includes a list of items that are and are not recyclable. Green BinKingston has recently launched its Green Bin program. Although most of Kingston residents received their bins last spring, AMS representatives requested that the bins for the student housing area around Queen’s be held off until September 2009 so that students weren’t bombarded with a new waste system during exams, and would instead get them as they were moving into their new houses. Essentially, if you’re living south of Johnson, north of Clergy, west of Barrie, and east of Alfred, your bin will be delivered in September. The Green Bins will be delivered during the week of September 28th. What is Green Bin-worthy?Use your Green Bin for food scraps, soiled paper (like pizza boxes), and yard waste. You can also use it for other miscellaneous items like flowers and popsicle sticks. For a list of what can and cannot go in your Green Bin, check out the City Green Bin website. Who doesn’t get bins?Anyone living in an apartment building or residence with six or more units (including Queen’s residence) will not get a Green Bin; they may be evaluated for Green Bins in 2010. In the meantime, the residences join schools, businesses, and restaurants as exceptions to the program. Also, if you move in the spring, please leave your Green Bin at your house. The bin belongs to the address, not to the resident. Need a Green Bin?If your house doesn’t have a Green Bin, you have a couple of options:
Lining the Green BinWhen lining your kitchen container and Green Bin, please do not use plastic bags, even if they are biodegradable or compostable; the latter two are not compatible with the organic waste system in Kingston and are hard to distinguish from regular plastic bags. I’d suggest taking a look at the City of Kingston website for more information about your Green Bin. The website is very thorough and includes everything from tips to get rid of odor and bugs to details of what is and is not allowed. ResourcesFor any questions, visit the City of Kingston website, or call the City at (613) 546-0000. If you want more information about the student housing area rollout or other student information, visit the Student section of the website. The City of Kingston also has a Student mailing list you can join if you want to keep up with news of interest to the student community. Also, for further information, please come by the AMS Municipal Affairs Commission office in the lower JDUC. You can email the Municipal Affairs Commissioner, Hilary Windrem, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
