Overfilled carts an issue for Vernon’s organics program

The city suggests layering kitchen organics with yard waste (such as leaves) and soiled paper or newspaper in the bin to overcome this issue.

Another problem is some carts are too heavy to be collected by the contractor, and residents are asked to follow the weight restrictions of 50 kilograms (110 pounds) for the 120 litre carts and 75 kg (165 pounds) for the 240 litre bins.

The city says pumpkins can be composted after Halloween, but they could cause the cart weight to be too high, so residents in that situation should store them until the next collection day or take them to the Greater Vernon landfill where they can be disposed of free of charge in the yard and garden waste area.

“The city would like to thank residents for their participation in the program and the steps they’ve taken to help extend the lifespan of our landfill, create a reusable product, and reduce our impact on the environment,” the news released added..

Other tips for complete collection:

Layer kitchen organics with yard waste (such as leaves) and soiled paper or newspaper.
Keep materials loose in the cart.
Avoid overfilling the cart (the lid must close).
Avoid pushing down or compacting materials in the cart.
Avoid placing large amounts of wet leaves and yard waste in the cart. This can become heavy and compacted very quickly.
Place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day. Please do not place carts the night before, as this can attract wildlife.
Ensure carts placed at the curb are 1m (an arm’s length) away from all other objects.
Ensure all materials in your organics cart are compostable.
- Rocks, soil, plastic bags, animal waste, and branches that are more than 0.5” in diameter cannot be collected.

Tips to keep your cart clean:

Wrap kitchen waste in newspaper or a BPI-certified compostable bag before placing it in the cart. Alternatively, you can freeze kitchen waste until collection day.
Place a piece of cardboard at the bottom of your cart to keep waste from sticking.
Rinse your cart periodically with water and vinegar and then sprinkle it with baking soda.
Store your cart indoors. If it must be outdoors, choose a ventilated area.
Place your organics cart for collection every week, even if it’s only partially filled.
Keep the lid closed at all times.

For more information on Vernon’s curbside organics collection program and a list of accepted compostable materials, visit www.vernon.ca/organics.

by Pete McIntyre

Overfilled carts an issue for Vernon’s organics program

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