Hay River Curbside Cart Program and Solid Waste Processing Updates

The two key driving reasons for introducing the program and its automated waste collection system are: reducing costs and progressing sustainable waste management practices. Switching to an automated waste collection system reduces collection costs by up to 30% due to the reduction in labour requirements, reduction in operating risks, and increased collection efficiencies. In addition, standardized carts used in the automated collection system could support future variable rate structures with multiple cart sizes progressing the user pay for waste production and encouraging residents to reduce and recycle waste.

Future phases of the curbside cart program could allow for the opportunity to better segregate, divert, and recycle waste through varied waste collection (ie. Organic waste, household waste, recyclables). Introduction of these programs would be tied to advancements in the GNWT’s recycling programs and the establishment of a new municipal solid waste facility.

The Town’s Solid Waste Management Bylaw has not changed in terms of what kinds of waste are allowed to be picked up during regular garbage collection. The updated bylaw now allows yard waste (such as leaves and grass clippings) to be included, as long as it fits inside the garbage cart with the lid closed.

Here are some examples of things which are NOT allowed in your garbage cart:

• Hazardous waste (such as paint or other harsh or flammable chemicals)
• Biomedical waste (such as human waste)
• Construction waste
• Car parts or tires
• Wet filled batteries
• Animal carcasses
• Soil
• Propane tanks
• Scrap metal

(The above items can be taken directly to the landfill site for disposal)

Please note all items must fit inside the cart, with the lid fully closed. For safety reasons, carts exceeding their capacity will not be emptied. Any garbage left outside the cart (including boxes) will also not be collected.

A transfer station accepting cardboard items will be set up near the north side of the skate park. Residents can bring their cardboard waste to this location if they do not wish to put it inside their cart for pickup. Hay River Disposals will be installing the transfer station by April 1, 2025.

Boxes left outside of your cart will not be collected on pickup day.

Only waste within the cart will be collected. The Town typically offers a special Spring Cleanup Collection where additional waste is collected at no charge. Otherwise, yard waste can be dropped off at the landfill for no charge.

Residents are encouraged to repurpose their old garbage bins. Some ideas for repurposing your bin can be found here: https://wastefree.ca/2021/08/01/15-ways-to-repurpose-your-old-garbage-bin/

Hay River Disposals will only be offering one 240L cart per residence. There are no additional sizes available. As of April 1st, a transfer station for cardboard will be in place near the north end of the skate park, which will help residents in reducing the amount of waste which goes in their cart.

To minimize disruption to garbage collection services, Hay River Disposals will distribute all new carts during the month of April.

The community collection schedule will remain the same, with the exception of Mile 5 residents, whose collection will increase to twice a week on Tuesdays & Fridays.

Residents will be responsible for maintaining their cart and keeping it clean. The carts are durable and can be stored indoors or outdoors. If possible, it should be stored away from direct sunlight.

Residents will be responsible for taking care of their own cart. Each cart will be numbered to help with recovery of lost or stolen carts. Hay River Disposals will sell parts and replacement carts in the event a cart is damaged or needs to be replaced. These items will be sold at cost, plus a small handling fee.

In the event that a cart becomes damaged during collection, Hay River Disposals will repair or replace the cart at no cost to the resident.

Carts will be numbered to prevent confusion. If residents need help identifying a cart, they should contact Hay River Disposals at (867) 874-2720 and provide the cart number.

Yes. You are free to add an address label to your cart if you wish. However, labels must be removable (such as stickers) as the carts remain the property of Hay River Disposals and are meant to stay with the address if you move. Do not use spray paint, etching or any permanent method to mark your cart.

No. Please do not add a lock to your cart or perform any significant modification. The carts are the property of Hay River Disposals.

There is a 50kg weight restriction per cart. Garbage also needs to be properly placed with the lid fully closed.

Only carts provided by Hay River Disposals will be eligible for use in the Curbside Cart Program.

Any Owner that wishes to have more than one (1) Garbage Receptacle may make a request for one (1) additional Garbage Receptacles to the SAO (and no more), and such additional Garbage Receptacle will be provided by the Town within two (2) weeks of receiving the payment of the fee for the same as set out in the Fees Bylaw.

Each residential address will receive one cart to be used by all the residents who live there.

No. Buildings with 3 or more residential units are considered commercial premises under the Bylaw and as such are excluded from curbside solid waste collection.

Hay River Disposals will provide a free cart for any new homes.

Your cart is registered to the home, so it stays at the current address. The cart remains the property of Hay River Disposals.

Transitioning solid waste processing fees from property tax accounts to the monthly utilities invoice provides greater transparency, making it easier for residents to understand the true cost of the Town’s waste management services. By including these fees alongside other utility charges, residents can clearly see the expenses associated with waste processing, promoting better awareness of the resources required to manage our community’s waste responsibly. This change ensures that the costs are communicated more effectively, fostering a stronger connection between the service provided and its financial impact while promoting improved decision making related to waste management.

Removing waste management fees from residential property tax accounts serves to reduce the amount of property tax revenues the Town needs to collect.   While other cost elements of property taxes used to manage the town have gone up considerably due to inflation (ie. Power, heating, supplies, salaries), for 2025, the Town Council is planning a 0% residential property tax increase due to the transfer of waste management costs to a cost recovery user pay model.

Not yet. However, the introduction of the fee program will allow for better discussions, community consultation, and opportunities for future changes to the collection schedule.    

The Town is introducing two levies:
i. Corridor Solid Waste Levy – applied to residents that live in the Corridor (south of junction of Highway #2 and #5) area of the community. For 2025, $8/mth. The levy helps cover the costs of waste processing and management such as landfill attendant staffing, operations and maintenance activities at the landfill, regulatory activities (water licensing and monitoring), waste diversion, landfill equipment, and contributions to reserves for landfill closure and site development.

ii. Waste Levy -applied to all residents that do not live in the Corridor area. For 2025, $18/mth. Includes all waste processing and management costs in the Corridor Solid Waste Levy plus costs associated with waste collection services.

Residents who have questions about their bill are asked to contact the Corporate Services department at Town Hall.

A schedule will be released and communicated through the Town’s Facebook page and website shortly before the deployment targeted for April 14, 2025

The Solid Waste Management Bylaw includes penalties for misuse of garbage carts. A grace period will be in effect to allow for adjustment to cart placement requirements. A “three-strike” policy will be in effect for violations of these rules.

The most common reason that a cart is not emptied on collection day is that the cart was not placed correctly with the lid fully closed. Residents who are having issues with collection are encouraged to contact Hay River Disposals.

Residents are responsible for clearing snow around their carts to allow the truck to pick them up.

All Hay River residential property owners with a utility account  are required to take part in this program.

The Town will be holding a public information session to explain the program and demonstrate use of the Curbside Carts on Wednesday, March 19th at 7PM at the Hay River Community Centre.

Community groups (such as the Seniors Society) may also request to host information sessions for their members.

Residents can contact Town Hall customer service at townhall@hayriver.com or 867-874-6522