Solid Waste

Upcoming Events:

Household Hazardous Waste Event September 10th, 2011- Pugwash and Oxford. For more information click here.

What's Happening?

Revised Clear Bag Program

As you may know, residents and businesses in the Municipality of the County of Cumberland are required to use clear non-coloured bags for residual garbage.  In the upcoming months, the Municipality will be introducing a Revised Clear Bag program that includes significant
changes to the current Clear Bag program.

As of January 1st, 2012 residents of Cumberland County will be permitted to place only ONE non-clear “privacy bag” per clear, non-coloured bag of residual garbage. Multiple non-clear bags such as kitchen catchers,grocery bags, etc. will no longer be accepted.

The program will be implemented in two phases:
Phase 1, the Voluntary Phase, will take place over a six month period commencing July 1st,2011.During this phase individuals are encouraged to participate in the Revised Clear Bag Program, this will allow residents to have any questions or concerns addressed before the Mandatory Phase.

Phase 2, the Mandatory Phase, will begin January 1st, 2012. As of this date garbage will not be collected/accepted if it is not in clear non-coloured bags, as per the new regulations.

For more information click here or call (902) 667-5141.


 

Common Solid Waste System Features:

Download the icon 2012 Collection Calendar (443.68 kB)

 

Click here for information about the Revised Clear Bag Program.

Click here to view the Cumberland County Solid Waste Newsletter which includes Summer 2011 schedules, waste seperation information and upcoming hazardous household waste event dates.

All Solid Waste MUST Be Separated as Follows:


COMPOSTABLE ORGANICS

Compostable Organics must not be placed in residual garbage. These materials may be placed in a backyard co mposter. This includes items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, baked goods, pasta, paper towels, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, dryer lint, leaves, weeds, grass clippings, small brush and wet or soiled newsprint, boxboard, or paper; but excludes meat, fish, bones, dairy products, fat, grease, oil and large branches or roots.

RECYCLABLES

Recyclable materials must be placed in clear, non-coloured bags,, or transparent blue bags. Recyclables include items such as beverage containers, steel, tin or aluminum food containers or cans, glass food containers, jars and bottles, most plastic bags and packaging, containers, containers for milk, milk products, concentrates, tetrapacks, corrugated cardboard, newsprint, bond paper, glossy flyers and magazines, egg cartons, box board, computer paper and other items.

RESIDUAL GARBAGE

Residual garbage means solid waste other than: recyclable material, backyard compostable material, leaf and yard waste, construction and demolition debris, scrap metal, hazardous materials or any materials banned by the Municipality, The Dept. of the Environment or CJSMA.

Beginning October 8, all residual garbage must be placed in clear, non-coloured bags. A grace period will be in effect until January 1, 2002 after which Black, green or any other non-transparent bags will not be accepted.

SCRAP METAL

These materials may be disposed of at no charge at Cumberland Central Landfill and at the scrap metal areas of Transfer Stations at Wallace, Wentworth, Greenville, Southampton, Crossroads, Advocate, River Hebert and Pugwash. Scrap metal includes such items as stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, bicycles and metal pipe; and excludes items containing any liquids, fluids or pressurized containers such as propane tanks (these should be returned to where you get them filled).

CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION DEBRIS (C&D)

These materials may be disposed of at Cumberland Central Landfill (at a cost of $70 per ton) and at no charge at the C&D disposal areas of Transfer Station sites at Pugwash, Wallace, Greenville, Advocate and River Hebert. C&D includes materials which are normally used in the construction of buildings, structures, roadways, walls and other landscaping material.

CURBSIDE COLLECTION

Beginning Oct. 8, 2006 each permanent residence, business and institution in Municipal Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 on public roads will receive curbside collection of residual garbage and recyclables. Permanent residences, businesses and institutions on private roads will be collected at the intersection of the private road with the public road. Collection of residual waste will occur every second week alternating with the collection of recyclables.

All residual garbage or recyclables must be placed for collection after 5:00 a.m., within three metres of the curb in such a manner as not to interfere with pedestrian traffic and snow removal. Uncollected materials and any waste scattered by animals or weather must be removed by the owner or occupant.

Garbage or recyclables must be in clear, non-coloured bags, not smaller than 60 cm. x 80 cm. (24"x32"), nor greater than 100 cm. x 150 cm. (39"x59"), and shall not exceed a weight of 15 kg. (33 lbs.) per bag. Corrugated cardboard may be flattened and tied in bundles up to 15 kg (33 lbs.), and up to 2 bundles may be placed for collection on any one collection date.

Residences, businesses, and institutions are limited to 4 bags of garbage on any one collection day. Businesses, and institutions are limited to 8 bags of recyclables on any one collection date.

Garbage and recyclables may be placed for collection in waste storage boxes (garbage bins) located within 3 metres of the curb provided, that: the box has a securely hinged lid, a support to hold the lid open while the contents are being emptied and is designed to avoid the entrapment of children. For this purpose "curb" means that portion of the roadway of a public street between the travelled portion of the roadway and the property line which parallels the street centre line.

Recycling and compostable organics diversion will be mandatory. Residual waste or recyclables not in compliance will not be collected. Instead, a sticker will be placed on the item explaining why it was rejected.

MUNICIPAL TRANSFER STATIONS

Beginning Oct. 8, 2006 there will be some changes to the transfer stations.

Garbage must be in clear, non-coloured bags. All corrugated cardboard must be flattened and placed neatly in the recycling sheds. Recyclables may be placed in clear or transparent blue bags.

Recycling and compostable organics diversion will be mandatory. Residual waste or recyclables not in compliance will not be accepted at transfer stations.

The Following Materials Will NOT Be Accepted at Any Municipal Transfer Station:

  • Backyard Compostable Material
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Propane Tanks OR Other Compressed Gas Cylinders
  • Tires, (Other than bicycle, wheelbarrow and tires larger than 24 ? ")
  • Waste Paint/unused Paint, or Other Chemicals.
  • Automotive Batteries
  • Sharps (Syringes, Needles Etc.)
  • Oil Contaminated Soil
  • Motor Oil (New or Used)
  • Leaf and Yard Waste
  • Loose, untarped loads

All loads will be inspected to ensure compliance with regulations. Attendants may refuse loads not in compliance. Residents may be asked to provide ID to confirm the source of solid waste. No waste may be left at transfer stations after regular hours.

Municipal transfer stations are for the exclusive use of residents of the Municipality of Cumberland (including businesses, institutions and cottagers). Waste generated outside the Municipality of Cumberland will NOT be accepted at any transfer station.

The Municipality reserves the right to refuse any load too large (more than a ? ton truck load) or difficult to handle. If you wish to dispose of any such material please contact the attendant on site or the Municipal Office (phone 667-2313) before taking the material to the site; otherwise the attendant may refuse permission to unload. Unsecured loads will be rejected.

Nova Scotia Department of the Environment and Labour regulations restrict C&D disposal at transfer stations sites to ONLY the following materials: Rock (excluding rock containing a sulphide bearing material), aggregate, soil, bricks, mortar, concrete, asphalt pavement, porcelain or ceramic materials, trees, brush, limbs, stumps, root balls, organic mat, and milled wood that is free of adhesives, coatings or preservatives. No other materials may be disposed in these areas including plaster, drywall, and asphalt roof shingles.