Here are tips for the new automated curbside collection program rolling out Monday

Here’s what Barrie residents need to know for the new automated cart program starting next week.

It’s time for a change as the City of Barrie’s new automated cart collection program ramps up next week.

Here’s what you need to know for the start of the program and what to do with bins no longer in use.

On your regular waste collection day, roll your new carts to the curb by 7 am. If it’s your garbage week, you’ll need to set out both carts, but if it’s not, you only need to set out the organics cart.

For non-downtown properties, organics will be collected weekly, while garbage will be collected every other week, as usual. If you have extra garbage that won’t fit into the cart, you can set out bags with a garbage bag tag attached.

The City says the transition to automated cart collection supports worker health and safety. It removes the heavy lifting, and is more efficient compared to the old way, resulting in fewer resources on the road.

Residential recycling and yard waste collection won’t be affected by this change, with recycling still being collected in blue and grey boxes and yard waste collection continuing as usual.

Placing Carts Curbside

When setting out your carts, make sure to roll them as close to the road as possible and place them on a level surface, either on the boulevard or your driveway. Be sure not to block bike lanes or sidewalks.

It’s also important to give your carts some space - leave two feet between each cart and any obstacles, like other waste material, parked cars, fences, or trees. This will give the arms on the truck the room needed to pick up the carts.

Finally, ensure the arrows on the lid of your cart point towards the street and the lids are fully closed. Don’t overfill your cart. While there is no exact weight limit for the carts, the City says excessive weight could result in damage.

The new carts are equipped with an Radio Frequency Identification tag and unique serial number, so it’s important to keep them with the assigned property.

Carts can be exchanged at no charge until the end of the year. “We are waving the $50 fee,” said Stephanie Mack, Barrie’s associate director of waste management and environmental sustainability.

What to Do With Old Bins

Your green organics bins belong to you. According to the City residents can do what they wish with the green bins that will no longer be in use for curbside collection.

City staff suggest residents repurpose their old green bins for storage or yard work. Old green bins can be reused for things like storing potting soil, mulch, salt, sand, garden tools, or dog food.

Garbage bins can be repurposed for leaf and yard waste. The City recommends drilling holes in the bottom so rain, snow and other elements can drain out and help avoid exceeding the weight limit. The landfill office provides Yard Waste label stickers for the bins if needed, but they are not required. Lids should not be placed on yard waste piled into bins.

The green bins could also be dropped off at the Barrie Landfill site at 272 Ferndale Drive North for free.

Recycling Remains Status Quo

Notably, there are no changes to how recycling is collected. Crews will continue to pick up the blue and grey bins from the curb each week.

The reason it will remain status quo - the recycling program isn’t managed by the city, rather Circular Materials manages residential recycling under the provincial Blue Box Regulation. However, changes to the recycling program could be coming at a later date.

Circular Materials took over the recycling program from the City in spring 2024.