Actual carts may vary slightly.
Waste changes are rolling into Norfolk County
What you need to know about the changes to Norfolk County’s waste collection program.
norfolkcounty.ca/WasteChanges
What you’re receiving today:
Check inside your green cart to find your kitchen container.
1. Your green cart: Put your food scraps and other organic waste in this wheeled cart. Review what goes into your green cart on page 6. 2. Your kitchen container: Place this container under your sink for daily collection of food scraps and other organic waste. Check inside your green cart to find your kitchen container. 3. Your gray garbage cart: Put garbage that doesn’t go in your green cart or recycling boxes in this wheeled cart.
Questions? Contact ServiceNorfolk Call: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0 Visit: service.norfolkcounty.ca
The carts are registered to your property’s address, so if you’re moving, please don’t take them with you.
In this booklet
What’s changing, and why it’s happening now
4
Organic waste sorting guide
6
Recycling sorting guide
7
Yard waste and hazardous waste sorting guides
8
Waste collection schedule
10
How to use your carts
12
Cart care
14
Questions and contact
16
3
What’s changing, and why it’s happening now
We can all do a lot by changing a little
Norfolk County surveyed residents and audited household waste before launching our green cart program. These audits found that 43-45% of waste could be composted through green carts, instead of going to a landfill.
All across the province, municipalities are facing the same problem: Ontario is quickly running out of landfill space. Norfolk County relies on a private landfill that is set to close in 2031. Without changing our habits, we will face quickly-rising costs to deal with our garbage.
45%
We’re taking steps now to lengthen the lifespan of our landfill, diverting waste by introducing a green cart for organic waste collection.
By using your new green cart for organics, we can divert organic waste from landfill.
4
Your new collection schedule Organics collected weekly Recycling collected weekly
Garbage collected bi-weekly
These carts are specially designed to work with the automated waste collection trucks that will be used across Norfolk County starting this fall. Some extra care will need to be taken when putting your carts out to the curb on collection days to ensure they can be picked up. For information on how to use your carts, turn to page 12.
Small changes that make a big difference 1. Get used to what goes into your green cart Get to know what kinds
2. Sort as you go Scrape organic waste into your kitchen container while cooking meals (leave out the packaging), and leftovers when cleaning up.
3. When in doubt, refer to the guides Sorting guides for what does and doesn’t go in your green cart are in this booklet and online.
of organic waste can go in your green cart before the program starts on September 28.
5
Please, don’t feed the landfill. DO put your organic waste, including… Fruits and vegetables
DON’T put these in your green cart:
Diapers Pet waste
Plastic bags Yard waste Hygiene products
Bread, pasta, rice Meat, bones, fish Dairy, eggshells Coffee grounds, coffee filters, tea bags Sauces, oils (small amounts) Napkins, paper towels Paper muffin liners, paper plates, popcorn bags Plate scrapings, leftovers, spoiled food …in your green cart, instead.
Do line your kitchen container with: Newspaper Certified compostable bags
Look for the certified compostable logo on your liner bags.
For an expanded sorting list, please scan the QR code or visit norfolkcounty.ca/WasteChanges.
6
Please, keep recycling your papers and containers. There are no changes to the recycling program. Please, continue to sort and use your current recycling boxes weekly. Small box (papers) Cardboard, boxboard Cartons Paper Laminated packaging (e.g. pet food bags) Tall box (containers) Hard plastic containers Toothpaste and deodorant tubes Plastic packaging and containers Plastic overwrap (e.g. bread bags, plastic wrap)
Foam packaging Metal containers Aluminum foil and trays Glass containers Aerosol containers without a toxic, corrosive or flammable symbol
Remember to rinse all food waste off your recycling before putting it in your recycling boxes.
Visit circularmaterials.ca/Norfolk-County or scan the QR code, to find an expanded and updated list of recyclable materials.
7
Please, keep sorting your yard waste.
Include: Leaves
Do not include: Plastic bags Burnt leaves Pet waste Dirt, soil, sod Rocks
Grass clippings Hedge and tree trimmings (less than 1” in diameter)
House and garden plants (without soil) Branches and brush, tied or bundled in lengths of less than 3’ (91 cm)
For urban and hamlet zones receiving collection, put your yard waste in brown yard waste bags with the tops rolled shut. There is no limit to the number of yard waste bags that will be collected.
For more information about yard waste in urban and hamlet zones, visit norfolkcounty.ca/YardWaste.
8
Please, keep separating your hazardous materials.
Household hazardous waste is not collected at the curb and should not be put out with other waste. Household hazardous waste includes: Thermostats containing mercury tubes Light bulbs and mercury tubes Paints and stains Motor oil and oil filters Fire extinguishers Propane tanks Single-use and rechargeable batteries Medications and sharps Cleaning products Pool chemicals
Hazardous waste should be taken to retailer take-back locations year-round or to Norfolk County Household Hazardous Waste Events. To find a list of retailer take-back locations and what they accept, visit norfolkcounty.ca/TakeBack, and for details about Norfolk County Hazardous Waste Events, visit norfolkcounty.ca/HHW.
9
Please, put your gray garbage cart out on the right collection week for your area. Your gray garbage cart will be collected every other week. Use the map to determine what day of the week your gray garbage cart will be collected starting Monday, September 28, 2026. Organic waste (green cart) and recycling will be collected every week. Please, make sure all your waste is by the road before 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Week 1: Starts Monday, September 28, 2026
10
Important collection day changes for Waterford and some areas in Port Dover • The town of Waterford will be moving to Monday collection days (previously Friday). • The Silver Lake area in Port Dover will be moving to Wednesday collection days (previously Tuesday). • Forspecificboundingstreets,pleasescanthe QRcodebelowtofindyourcollectionday.
Week 2: Starts Monday, October 5, 2026
Pickup day Monday Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday Friday
Need a closer look?
Scan the QR Code to look up your collection day, or visit norfolkcounty.ca/CollectionDay.
11
Please, set out your carts properly.
Carts must be set out properly to ensure they can be collected by the new automated waste collection trucks.
House
Street
2 ft
2. Give them space
3. Be on time
1. Face the street
Wheels should face your house, and the lid should open towards the street. Ensure the arrow on the cart lid faces the street.
Carts should have 2’ (60 cm) between them and other objects (trees, fire hydrants, recycling boxes, parked cars, snow banks, etc.), including other carts.
All carts (and recycling containers) must be set out before 7 a.m. on collection day, and brought in by 7 p.m. that evening.
Failing to set out your carts properly may result in your waste not being collected that week.
12
New automated trucks need clear access
Your green cart has a gravity lock, which, when used properly, will keep pests out.
Our new trucks use automated arms to lift and empty your carts. Proper cart placement helps keep service on schedule and your waste collected. Thank you for helping make the transition a success.
4. Close your cart lids
All cart contents must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Waste set outside of your carts will not be collected.
13
Please, take care of your carts.
Use compostable bags or liners Line your kitchen container with newspaper, or use certified compostable bags (look for the BPI logo). This keeps material from sticking to the sides, and minimizes odours. Put your green cart out every week This ensures your organic waste starts breaking down through the composting process and not in your green cart.
Request cart changes Property owners may request a different cart size based on their property type (residential home, residential farm, or commercial) after the program begins in fall 2026. Requests made after April 1, 2027, will be subject to user fees. To learn more or request a change, contact ServiceNorfolk or visit norfolkcounty.ca/WasteChanges.
14
Please, report stolen or damaged carts.
Broken carts Broken carts may not work with the automated waste collection trucks. If your carts become damaged, please contact ServiceNorfolk to arrange for repairs or replacement carts.
Lost or missing carts If your carts are stolen or go missing, please contact
ServiceNorfolk. Each cart has a serial number that assigns it to your address, so stolen carts can be checked and returned to their proper place.
Find ServiceNorfolk's contact information on the back cover.
15
Questions? We’re here to help.
Visit our website For the latest updates and FAQs, visit norfolkcounty.ca/WasteChanges.
Contact us Contact ServiceNorfolk by phone or by email with your question. Call: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0 Visit: service.norfolkcounty.ca
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