Here’s what to do with storm-related garbage

CTV Your Morning Ottawa Host Rosey Edeh has your Tuesday morning headlines.

The City of Ottawa says residents who need to dispose of garbage related to the Canada Day storms have several options, as additional collection crews head out to affected areas.

Since the July 1 storm dumped 118 millimetres of rain on Ottawa officially, with some areas reporting even larger amounts, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says the city has taken steps to ease the recovery, such as relaxing garbage collection rules in affected areas, adding extra collection days, and cutting fees at the Trail Road landfill for flood-related waste.

Sutcliffe said additional trucks are already on the roads picking up flood-related garbage and will continue through the recovery process.

Here’s what you need to know:

No three-item limit

The city says storm-affected residents may leave out more items than the standard garbage limit, without requiring yellow bags.

Carpets, under pads, and area rugs may also be placed at the curb with no restrictions but must be securely tied into compact bundles of no more than 1.2 metres (4 feet) in length, 0.6 metres (2 feet) in width and height and not exceeding 15 kilograms (33 pounds) in weight.

“Depending on resources, storm-related materials will either be collected during regular weekly garbage pickup or as a separate storm-dedicated collectionm” the city says. “As a result, residents are asked to leave all waste at the curb and to not make additional service requests if waste is left behind, as it will be collected at a later date.”

Construction materials

The city says residents affected by the storms may set out up to two containers of construction and demolition materials on their next regular garbage day.

Containers must be set out according to regular garbage collection guidelines, meaning a bin or container with a removable lid of no more than 140 litres and weighing less than 15 kg (33 lbs).

Household hazardous waste

These items will not be collected through regular pickup and must be brought to a household hazardous waste disposal event.

The next scheduled event is on July 25 at the Kanata Research Park, 373 Leggett Dr., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Electronic waste

These items will not be collected through regular pickup and must be disposed of through e-waste events or at the Trail Road landfill.

The next scheduled e-waste event will take place Saturday at the Tony Graham Recreation Complex, 100 Charlie Rogers Pl., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two more events are scheduled this month.

Leaf and yard waste

You can continue to set out unlimited leaf and yard waste for collection in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers labelled “Leaf and Yard Waste.”

Spoiled food

The city is asking residents to use green bins to dispose of spoiled food and other organic waste. There is no limit to green bin waste.

If you have extra food waste from the storm, the city says you can place additional garbage bags beside your green bin. Clearly label each bag “Green Bin.” These materials will be collected with your regularly scheduled green bin pick up.

Trail Road

Residents who have submitted a service request for a flooded basement or storm-related waste can dispose of eligible materials free of charge at the Trail Road landfill.

You will need to bring your service request number, valid photo identification and proof of address.

The city says details are coming shortly for reimbursement if storm-affected residents brought items to Trail Road before free service was announced. The city is advising residents keep their tipping fee receipt, service request number, and ID, as these documents will likely be required when requesting a refund.

To help accommodate increased demand following the storm, the Trail Waste Facility Landfill will be open on additional Saturdays over the coming weeks. Residents are encouraged to check Ottawa.ca for hours of operation before visiting.

Clean-up tips

Ottawa Public Health has tips for cleaning up after a flood:

• Remove waterlogged items as soon as possible
• Open windows, doors, closets and cabinets to help the area dry
• Use fans and dehumidifiers to reduce moisture and prevent mould growth
• Wear proper protective equipment like rubber gloves and eye protection when cleaning
• Wash your hands often

OPH says a musty smell may be a sign of mould. Do not paint over or cover mould as it will continue to grow underneath. Large areas of mould may require professional cleanup.

A list of flood safety resources is available at Ottawa Public Health’s website.