How do I get notified and prepare for severe weather?

These common winter weather factors may disrupt your regular service:

• Plowed snow blocking access to your trash or recycling container

• The snow or ice around your container is too deep, preventing our truck's ability to access your container

• Steep hills or winding roads that have become icy, making it difficult for our drivers to navigate

• Poor visibility

• Non-plowed areas preventing our drivers from turning around

• Your trash or recycling container has been covered or buried in snow and is not visible to our driver

• Your trash or recycling container has been placed on or behind a snow mound and is inaccessible to our driver

These tips will help ensure that your trash/recycling services run effectively during cold weather months:

• Keep the area in front and around your container salted and clear of snow and ice.

• Ensure all gates can be easily opened if your container is enclosed.

For personal and community safety, avoid placing these items in your trash:

• Flammable or combustible liquid including gasoline or oil-based paint

• Hazardous materials such as ammonia, bleach, pesticide, paint thinner and batteries

• Aerosol cans still containing propellants

• Hot ash from a fire pit, grill or fireplace

Trash can give off unpleasant odor in hot or humid weather. Follow these tips to minimize odor:

• When throwing out meat and/or meat packaging, put it in a grocery bag and then into a kitchen bag. Make sure your container lid is completely closed to reduce any odor.

• Place all trash into a bag. This prevents liquid from settling at the bottom of a container and reduces odor and insect accumulation.

• Items that go into recycling containers should be washed out but not bagged.

• Keep your container lid closed and if possible, out of the sun.

• Rinse your residential container with hot water and soap after each pickup. Discard water onto gravel, grass area and or into the sink to avoid pollutants going into storm drains.

• Remove buildup at the bottom of your container using a sprayer or pressure washer.

• Use baking soda to absorb strong odors.