NDG’s green waste management program

By P.A.Sévigny, September 19th, 2012

Even if it’s one of the best Indian summers we’ve had in years, the nights are getting cool and the kids are already well into their second week at school. While there’s still some kale left to grow in the garden, the tomatoes are now long gone and there are only a few melons left to take advantage of what’s left of the summer. Unlike previous years, the borough is now serious about collecting what is now known as ‘green’ waste for its compost mills because once the city’s green waste management plan moves into top gear, authorities believe the new plan will eventually provide a drastic reduction in the total amount of city garbage that is presently being dumped into various toxic and expensive landfill sites.
As of this year, the borough is warning residents to no longer put their green waste into the usual green, white or black plastic garbage bags as the bags tend to get stuck within the compost mill’s gears after which they finally jam and break the machinery. Residents can, however, use ordinary garbage cans, plastic bins, cardboard boxes or paper bags to get rid of their garden’s green waste although once full, none of these containers should weigh more than 20 to 25 kilos. Aside from the usual plants and stalks that make up an average load of garden scraps, residents can include grass clippings and assorted fruit tree residue. Small branches can also be left by the curbside if they are less than a meter long and neatly tied in a bundle with string or fibre rope. Once again, borough residents are asked not to use metal wire as a binding because it will surely break the city’s machinery.
During the autumn season, green waste collection days will be on every Wednesday of the month starting on the 19th of September and ending on the 21st of November.
As for the borough’s hazardous waste collection, residents who wish to get rid of the following items are being asked to bring them to the borough’s Doug Harvey Arena between 9 and 5PM this Saturday (the 22nd of September) for proper disposal. While the hazardous waste collection is still reserved for city residents, workers will be on hand to receive fluorescent light bulbs, leftover paint (both latex and alkyds) used motor oil, alkaline batteries, used auto batteries, assorted cleaning products (including both acid and soda alkaline based products) assorted solvents, pesticides, swimming pool chlorine and other solvents along with adhesives, epoxy and other aerosol products.
Aside from bringing some proof of residence, borough residents should be aware that used automobile tires are not considered to be hazardous waste material and will not be accepted for disposal.n