Halifax

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Waste Management

Garbage, recycling, and composting services for households and businesses.

Sections

1. Waste Categories in Halifax

Halifax uses a four-stream waste separation system to manage waste effectively. These categories are:

a. Garbage (Black Bag)

  • What goes in: Non-recyclable and non-compostable items such as:
    • Broken glass (wrapped securely)
    • Non-recyclable plastics (e.g., chip bags, candy wrappers)
    • Styrofoam
    • Diapers and sanitary products
    • Vacuum bags
  • What does NOT go in: Recyclables, compostable materials, hazardous waste, or electronics.

b. Recycling (Blue Bag)

  • What goes in:
    • Paper products (newspapers, magazines, cardboard, office paper)
    • Plastic containers (with recycling symbols #1-7)
    • Metal cans (aluminum, tin)
    • Glass bottles and jars
  • How to prepare: Place recyclables in blue transparent bags. Flatten cardboard boxes and bundle them.

c. Compost (Green Bin)

  • What goes in:
    • Food waste (vegetable peels, meat, bones, dairy, eggshells)
    • Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, small branches)
    • Soiled paper products (napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes)
  • How to prepare: Use the green bin provided by HRM for compostable materials. Line the bin with paper or certified compostable bags if needed.

d. Household Special Waste (HSW)

  • What goes in:
    • Hazardous materials (paint, batteries, propane tanks, cleaning products)
    • Electronics (TVs, computers, phones)
    • Lightbulbs
  • How to dispose: These items are NOT collected curbside. They must be taken to a designated Household Special Waste Depot (details below).

2. Collection Schedules

Halifax operates on a bi-weekly collection schedule for garbage and recycling, while compost is collected weekly.

How to Check Your Schedule:

  • Visit the Halifax Solid Waste Collection Schedule page: https://www.halifax.ca.
  • Use the "What Goes Where" tool or download the Halifax Recycles App (available for iOS and Android) to find your collection days and get reminders.

Key Points:

  • Place your waste at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day.
  • Ensure waste is in proper bags or bins and does not exceed weight limits (garbage bags: 25 kg/55 lbs; green bins: 100 kg/220 lbs).

3. Costs and Fees

  • Curbside Collection: Included in property taxes for residents. There are no additional fees for regular waste collection.
  • Green Bin Replacement: If your green bin is damaged or lost, you may need to pay a replacement fee (approximately $25-$50).
  • Special Waste Disposal: Free at designated depots for most items, but some electronics may have a recycling fee (e.g., TVs, computers).

4. Disposal Procedures

Curbside Collection:

  1. Separate your waste into the appropriate categories (garbage, recycling, compost).
  2. Use the correct bags or bins:
    • Black bags for garbage.
    • Blue transparent bags for recyclables.
    • Green bin for compost.
  3. Place items at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before collection day and no later than 7:00 AM on collection day.

Household Special Waste (HSW):

  • Take hazardous waste to the Household Special Waste Depot at:
    • 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake Business Park
    • Open most Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (check the HRM website for specific dates).
  • Electronics can also be dropped off at EPRA (Electronic Products Recycling Association) depots. Visit https://recyclemyelectronics.ca/ns/ for locations.

Yard Waste:

  • Small amounts of yard waste can go in the green bin.
  • Larger amounts (e.g., branches, leaves) can be taken to a Community Recycling Centre or bundled for curbside pickup (check size limits).

5. Local Considerations

  • Bag Limits: There is a limit of 6 bags of garbage per household per collection day, with a maximum of 3 black bags. The remaining bags must be clear.
  • Clear Bag Policy: Halifax enforces a clear bag policy for garbage to encourage proper sorting. You can use one small opaque bag inside each clear bag for privacy.
  • Illegal Dumping: Dumping waste in unauthorized areas is illegal and subject to fines.
  • Winter Considerations: During snowstorms, ensure waste is placed in a visible and accessible location, not buried under snow or obstructing sidewalks.

6. Recycling Depots and Drop-Off Locations

Halifax has several depots for recycling and special waste. Here are some key locations:

Household Special Waste Depot

  • Address: 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake Business Park
  • Hours: Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (check schedule online)

Community Recycling Centres

  • Address: 61 Evergreen Place, Dartmouth
  • Services: Accepts yard waste, construction debris, and other large items.

EPRA Drop-Off Locations


7. Resources and Tools

  • Halifax Recycles App: Download for collection reminders, sorting tips, and schedules.
  • What Goes Where Tool: Use this online tool to search for how to dispose of specific items: https://www.halifax.ca/whatgoeswhere.
  • Customer Service: Call 311 for any waste management inquiries or to report missed collections.

By following these guidelines, you can easily manage your waste in Halifax while contributing to the cityโ€™s sustainability efforts. Let me know if you need further clarification!