How do I start Recycling?
Chatham-Kent collects recyclables by way of a 2-stream recycling program. This program utilizes a blue box and a black box.
Only plastics (#1, #2 and #5), glass and aluminium/steel cans are to be placed in a blue box.
Only fibre material such as paper, newspaper, magazines, books (hard cover removed), boxboard (flattened, tied and bundled), etc. will be accepted in the black box.
Please refer to the recycling guide on the back cover of your Residential Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar or the Recycling Guide under downloads for further details.
Your blue and black box must be placed at the curb no earlier than 7:00 pm the day before your collection day and no later than 7:00 am the day of collection, rain or shine. The contractor will pick up your recyclable material. If you have accidentally discarded something that cannot be recycled, it will be left. Black boxes will not be emptied if items other than recyclable fibre material are present in the box.
If you have excess fibre material that will not fit inside the black box, one separate loosely tied grocery style bag may be used, but only in conjunction with a black box. Excess cans, plastics and glass cannot be placed in a grocery style bag. Residents should consider purchasing an additional blue box if this occurs on a regular basis. Utilizing a clothes hamper or cardboard box for recyclable material is not permitted and will not be collected.
Blue and black boxes can be purchased for $10.00 each and can be obtained from the Civic Centre or any one of the Municipal Centres.
If you have any questions about your recycling program or how to prepare your materials, please e-mail ckies@chatham-kent.ca or call 519.360.1998.
What is Recyclable?
Batteries If you would like to recycle your rechargeable batteries, the Call2Recycle organization can help you. Rechargeable batteries are usually found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. Please see the link to the Call2Recycle organization or the Do What You Can website for drop-off locations in our area. Unfortunately at this time, batteries are not recyclable through curbside collection.
Fibre (Black) Box Material
Only fibre material such as paper, newspaper, office paper, flyers, catalogues, phone books, hot beverage cups (lids removed), milk/juice cartons, etc. will be accepted in a black box. Excess fibre material or shredded paper must be in a loosely tied grocery style bag and either placed inside or beside your black box.
Helpful Hints: Use elastic bands or string to bundle papers. FLATTEN & BUNDLE ALL CARDBOARD (with string). The bundle size should not exceed 30" x 30" x 8" so it will fit in slot in the truck.
Do not recycle: gift-wrap, paper towels, wax paper, photos, wax cardboard.
Blue Box Material - Glass
Food and beverage containers ONLY. Take off metal lids and place in blue box. Please rinse. Labels are OK.
Do not recycle: Glass ashtrays, cups, light bulbs, ceramics, window pane glass, broken glass, mirrors or plates.
Blue Box Material - Plastics
Only recycle plastics marked with a #1, #2 and #5 inside the recycling symbol on the bottom of the containers. Remember to remove lids.
Do not recycle: Plastic bags, utensils, toys or any other bottle not marked #1, #2 or #5.
Blue Box Material - Cans
Lightly rinse and flatten all food/beverage cans made from aluminum and tin.
No need to separate the glass, plastics and cans in the blue box. There is a lip on the blue box that connects to the truck which allows the worker to sort the material into the proper compartments of the truck.
Syringes and sharps CANNOT be recycled in blue boxes or garbage. Contact the Chatham-Kent Public Health Services, your local pharmacist or hospital for proper disposal.
E-Waste (Computer Equipment/Cell Phones)
All transfer stations accept electronic waste. For companies that are accepting e-waste in conjunction with the Ontario Electronic Stewardship Program visit www.dowhatyoucan.ca or contact Chatham-Kent Recycling at 519.682.9037 for further details.
* Note - Empty propane cylinders may be taken to a Transfer Station or anywhere that sells propane tanks. No Transfer Station accepts paints – these will be taken on Household Hazardous Waste Day.