It's the time of year where excess waste makes its way into local landfills and the Region of Waterloo is preparing to deal with the influx.
Dave Johnstone, manager of waste collection and diversion for the region, has worked his fair share of holidays and understands the importance of making sure items end up where they belong.
"We’re ready to handle the volume," Johnstone said.
"We see a huge increase in recycling and in particular cardboard and the wrapping paper."
Johnstone said extra trucks will be on the road next week and collectors often work longer hours than normal. It's also not uncommon for trucks to be out specifically for cardboard.
The only days collection won't take place is Christmas and New Year's Day.
Due to both holidays falling on a Monday this year, collection will be shifted back by a day and crews are scheduled to be out on the Saturday to make up for Monday.
As for Christmas trees, they'll be collected during the first week of January.
"The big thing to understand with the trees is making sure to take all decorations off," Johnstone said.
"The trees are picked up in a separate truck and recycled. If there's plastic on them, they get put in the garbage, which is a waste given the extra cost and effort that goes into recycling them."
Tom Alkema, operations supervisor for the Cambridge Waste Management Site on Savage Drive, said his team is hard at work to ensure service is maintained and is asking the community to be mindful of how they put their waste to the curb.
"I think one of the key things to know for people is to separate recycling properly," Alkema said.
"Make sure your cardboard is separate from cans and bottles. Flatten cardboard as much as possible because it makes it easier to ship."
Alkema said the Waste Whiz app is a useful tool for people who may not know where certain recyclables go.
The City of Cambridge is reminding residents not to illegally dump their garbage and to take the time to go through the proper measures for disposal.
Anyone found dumping items can be handed a $140 fine.
While some may be tempted to find easier options of getting rid of their garbage, Alkema said it's not usually a big issue in the city.
"We typically don't see too much of the roadside dumping," he said.
"The city will pick that up and bring it in. It's just unsightly. I think if you look at the curbside program the region has, it's one of the best."
As many prepare to take time off during the holidays, Alkema wants people to know his employees are taking pride in keeping the community in order.
"We don't have the luxury to have everybody off," he said.
"Staff enjoy what they're doing and know they're a key part to the region's waste management system. They take pride in what they do."
Residents can report litter issues through cambridge.ca.
For more information on Region of Waterloo waste management visit regionofwaterloo.ca
There is no curbside collection on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1. Collection days during those weeks shift by one day. Please set your waste material out the next day by 7 a.m. https://t.co/9WVdfDSExE pic.twitter.com/xsEq9ytiwe
— Region of Waterloo Waste (@WasteWR) December 22, 2023
