City recognizing Waste & Recycling Workers Week with new education campaign

HAMILTON, ON – June 13 to June 17 is Waste & Recycling Workers Week, a week that recognizes and celebrates waste management industry professionals including collection and waste facility workers, customer service representatives, waste policy planners, enforcement officers and more. All week long, the City will be educating residents about waste collection processes, policies and how they work together to ensure we’re reducing, reusing and recycling as much as possible to limit the amount that goes to a landfill every year.

Waste collection workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in North America and sharp waste hidden in garbage and blue boxes pose serious health and safety risks for them. As part of Waste & Recycling Workers Week, the City is launching a new campaign aimed at educating residents about the safe and proper disposal of all waste, especially sharp objects to avoid injury for everyone.

Tips for keeping Waste Collectors Safe

• Separate sharp waste. Sharp household items like broken glass, dishes, knives, mirrors, razor blades and scissors must be sealed in a cardboard box clearly labeled “broken glass” or “sharp waste” and placed on top of or beside your garbage bag.  
• Wrap breakable large items. Large mirrors and glass tables collected as bulk must be wrapped in cardboard and clearly labeled “sharp waste”. Items not wrapped will not be collected. 
• No needles. Never put needles in your blue box or garbage. Place needles in a puncture proof, sealable plastic or metal container and drop off at a participating pharmacy, a designated needle drop off location or at a Community Recycling Centre.
• Keep it light. Each garbage bag/can, yard waste bag/container or green bin must not weigh more than 23 kg (50 lb) and must not be larger than 135 litres (30 gallons). Each blue box must not weigh more than 13 kg (30 lb).
• Park off the street. If possible, park off the street on your waste collection day. If you are unable to move your car off the street, ensure it is at least 1 m (3 ft) away from any waste containers set out for collection. 

For more tips on how to dispose of sharps safely, visit: www.hamilton.ca/wastecollectionsafety

For educational resources about the City of Hamilton’s waste facilities and processes visit: Waste Facilities Education Videos

Quick Facts

• Waste & Recycling Workers week recognizes all those who work in the waste and recycling industry and celebrates their efforts to keep the city clean and green.
• Waste Collection Workers in Hamilton make more than 27 million stops per year.
• In 2021, the Waste Customer Service Coordinators responded to 1,100 inspection service requests.
• Between 2019 and 2021, the Material Recycling Facility diverted 121,000 tonnes of recycling material from landfill.
• Between 2019 and 2021, the Community Recycling Centres diverted 16,000 tonnes of recycling material from landfill. 
• Between 2019 and 2021, the Central Composting Facility diverted 57,000 tonnes of organic material from landfill.