Preferences survey: Verbatim responses

1. Incentive program like pass a course at the recycling centre to get free/discounted bag tags. To encourage people to learn how to properly sort their waste.

2. An electronics/electrical recycling program where anything with an electrical cord can be dropped off

3. Electronic waste recycling would be greatly appreciated.

4. Recycling of both paper and other recycle items should occur weekly. Not biweekly, as diverting from the garbage is increasing the number of bins used which takes up tons of space.

5. Biweekly yard waste pick up is essential. Driving to the yard waste dump has resulted in two flat tires for me due to sharp objects that have fallen off trucks using the dump. I am reluctant to go there, but have no choice as I garden. I moved here from Toronto where I had this bin system and it worked extremely well. I found the recycling wheeled bin that contained both plastics, glass, and paper much more effective than open bins, and I generated so little garbage weekly, that biweekly pick up was perfect.

6. we are rural residents and take our recycling to the recycling depot on a weekly basis so that animals do not get into it. Therefore, we are not using the pickup services. Can the city provide some sort of a credit because we are not using the services. Maybe something provided at time of drop off at the recycling depot.

7. "Compost dog waste

8. Expand the plastics recycling to take plastic mailing envelopes, for example. "

9. an option to dispose electronic waste would be helpful. While there is a way to recycle electronics through third parties (such as Best Buy), many people seem unaware of the importance of recycling electronic components. Many of these parts have valuable components that can be reused, or at least safely disposed.

10. "Please don't increase the size of garbage bins - I already see recycling done poorly in our neighbourhood and I feel that allowing more garbage will divert more recyclable materials to landfills

11. I would like to see all of the recycling, waster and organics run under a single public operator, instead of the fragmented and highly privatized system that we currently have. We cannot rely on for-profit operators to try and reduce waste. This applies to household, commercial and institutional streams. One single waste management operator...like we do with water and sanitation.

12. "Education as to reduce, reuse, and proper recycling to lessen garbage. Educate as to appropriate biodiversity:

13. More frequent recycling and less frequent garbage collection would be preferable. Compost accepting pet waste would also be nice.

14. Recycling collection becoming the responsibility of recycling producers beginning on July 1, 2025 seems like a very lame cop-out. Why shouldn't the City of Kingston continue to care about recycling within Kingston? There will definitely be lots of recycling diverted to landfills if left up to 'recycling producers' in 2025.

15. As I understand it, the change the city is implementing affects garbage and organics only. What about what we currently put in our blue and grey boxes? Unless a 3rd bin/cart to collect blue and grey box recyclables is also introduced, home owners will need to deal with 4 different collection containers -a bin, a cart and 2 boxes. Do what progressive cities do and have one bin for garbage, one bin for organics and one bin for all other recyclables, each a different colour. This would be more manageable for home owners, enable ALL recycling to be automated, and ensure a uniform collection system throughout the city. It's time!!!

16. Large items is good idea (for fee). Hopefully the recycling goes to bin system as well, will hopefully reduce blowing letter and critter issues. Going to the alternating blue and grey bin was not a great idea (particularly in the University District). Some students seem to struggle with keeping on top of the pick-up schedule (despite the great app!) and when they get behind by a couple of weeks things can really pile up.

17. e-waste is a big problem for us and others, and there is no organized way to get rid of it, as the hazardous waste collection does not accept it. A proper disposal and recycling program for this would help divert e-waste from trash, landfill, and overseas shipping.

18. Batteries, Electronics, other complex recycling materials - if we're serious about being a sustainable city! Would be willing to pay for pick-up (per above).

19. Yes, as a city we must figure out a way to provide the same recycling and green bin collection for our businesses downtown. Especially the restaurants.

20. "I think it would best to see better education programs on waste diversion - many people don't know why it isn't ok to put pizza boxes in the recycling bin, or what sorts of plastics are not recyclable and why.

21. "(1)Have a waste disposal process for invasive plants as an option when dropping off plant material at the garden waste site. This would help prevent the spread of plants that are not easily composted, like Japanese Knotwood and dog strangling vine and various poisonous plants. You can refer to the Ontario Invasive Species recommendations. At least include a disposal process on the City Website to educate and inform citizens what to do with this type of invasive material.

22. I would like to see the hazardous waste depot opened year-round. I think this would certainly be useful. I also suggest the City could offer an electronic device recycling program as I don't think the local ReStore is capable of dealing with all this material. It's also disconcerting when you are trying to get rid of unwanted building materials or fixtures and even ReStore won't take them. I tried to donate several builder's grade ceiling lamps that were in pristine shape and was refused at ReStore. What happens next is these items end up in our landfills so perhaps the City could provide other venues for people to dispose of this type of material. Perhaps a municipal flea market or other initiative would help.

23. "~Weekly recycling pickups

24. I think an accessible large item option is critical given the waste move in days can generate in housing areas around the universities and colleges. Ex. Couches, tables, shelves. There's a big demographic that doesn't have access to cars to bring things to the dump. I'd also like to see more nettle return schemes like a machine (you see them in europe) or the beer store does. It could encourage recycling easier materials like glass bottles. Maybe impossible but if municipal governments supported this somehow, it would be great I think. Also more batteries and other special waste disposal days! Or more battery disposal drop off containers around municipal buildings like city hall or in stores. It would encourage people not to just throw them out. What about Keurig type pods? Or other speciality hard to dispose of items. You could do disposal days for them similar to batteries.

25. I understand that City is not including recycled waste collection in this survey but it is a huge problem putting plastic and paper in boxes outdoors to have there contents blown around by the wind is dumb. If you walk along the tree lines and waterways after a windy day you will see garbage blown every where. Its almost counter productive to put recyclable waste out with not have some type of covered protection on them. A blue and grey bin the same style as the currant green waste bin would solve this problem.

26. "Proper recycling programs that actually recycle and not continue to put into landfill elsewhere away from public eye. Proper recycling would reduce garbage collecting overall.

27. "Repair workshops for citizens, a kitchen tool library, as well as a household tool library (hand tools and power tools). I volunteered at a kitchen tool library when I lived in Portland, Oregon. It was extremely popular, both for donations of gently used kitchen tools (i.e. blenders, cookie sheets, InstaPots) and use by community members. The unit got monetary donations, as well, and used the funds to purchase new items for the collection.

28. "Upgrades to recycling plants to allow animal waste to be collected in green bins as other municipalities allow.

29. Recycling boxes near communal mail box hubs so people don't throw their junk mail into the garbage cans nearby.

30. Maximize true recycling first (how much recycling actually end up in waste??) and then use Waste-to-Energy facilities. While some pollution is created by the burning process, there are mitigation technologies to filter and re-use emissions. This is far better and dumping waste into the ground or the multiple "illegal dumps" where people dispose of their waste because current diversion programs are to restrictive/expensive.

31. Grass clippings and leaves collection. Current method of individuals driving to the recycling center encourages the use of cars and trucks resulting in pollution.

32. Are there options for textile recycling? I sew and don’t know where to bring my textile scraps that are too small to use. I also would like options for more than gently used clothing that is no longer appropriate for second hand shops/donations. Would you consider pick up of electronic waste once or twice per year.

33. "I believe more education must be geared towards educating visiting international students on waste diversion.

34. Pick-up option for e-waste, perhaps once a year. I have no car, and no way to take e-waste to Habitat for Humanity. I would be willing to pay, maybe $5 per box, to have the 8 boxes currently in my garage taken for e-waste recycling. I suspect other seniors share my situation. I don’t want to put it into regular garbage stream, but can’t dispose of it.

35. Electronic recycling is very needed. Many larger vices also have eco waste stations to drop off electronics and other eco waste materials. This should be introduced to Kingston.

36. Year round hazardous waste… one day a week

37. Hazardous waste spot open all year

38. Advertise already available diversion programs before implementing anything else

39. Bi-weekly brush and leaf pickup only 8 months per year. Cant see any use in winter months

40. Commercial composting

41. Dog poop and cat litter disposal people using our green bin, so our green bin is hardly ever emptied and now we do not want to use it as we have other people's dog and cat waste.

42. I hope you will continue to support the Giveaway Days and programs that also encourage reusing items rather than sending to the landfill.

43. Would like to continue the possibility to put both yard waste and food waste in green bin

44. all appliances small or large including furniture.

45. Allow for dog and cat waste to go into the green bin. I wouldn’t have to use single-use plastic bags for my dog's poop if I could just scoop it directly into the green bin with other compostable waste.

46. Access to a re-use store. People go through different phases of their life. They have items - like beds - that they no longer need but that are in excellent condition. Rather than have them treated as junk and taken to a dump, a re-use store where large items could be taken where others could pick them up if they needed them.

47. something for clothing/fabrics

48. Encourage people not to put out their bins if they aren’t full, since stopping and accelerating the trucks are what consume the most fuel. So this would reduce both fuel costs and CO2 emission.

49. Yes improve the composting to catch methane gases, accept kitty litter and accept stretchy bubble wrap. Also accept empty and dry metal paint cans. Have a day when people can put out good stuff that they do not want. Have hazardous waste days every quarter for chemicals, fluoroesent tubes, batteries, etc.

50. Car litter. My garbage would be reduced to one small kitchen garbage bag if we had some type of car litter recycle program

51. "Electronic or hazardous waste ( paint cans, ect) pickup.

52. I would really like to see it mandated that institutions like hospitals and apartment blocks use green bins.

53. Divert the wasted funds from the Kingston police on more services for residents. Public audit of all city spending to find waste and over spending which can be diverted back into services.

54. Pickup things like batteries more often and apartments need drop offs. Too much electronic waste.

55. Make hazardous waste a year round service.

56. I have used the green drop box pilot program for collecting old clothes, linens, etc and very much appreciate it.

57. Sell compost to residents?

58. "Old/broken Electronic pickup, similar to battery @ twice/year

59. Apartments (like all of Homestead) that do not use any composting, should start.

60. "E-waste pick up or is this included in large item pick-up?

61. Christmas tree pick up. Pick up green, blue and grey bins weekly. That's where most of my household waste is diverted.

62. Large item pick-up could be scheduled twice a year (spring and fall) instead without any extra cost as is done in many municipalities already.

63. Really like the proposed large-item garbage collection proposal.

64. Hazardous waste pick up

65. Large item pickup twice a year. In the spring and fall.

66. Free large item disposal 4 times a year.

67. Hazardous waste

68. Hazardous waste days increased

69. The city should do free big garbage pick up twice a year. This might stop people from putting big garbage on the curb all year long hoping it miraculously disappears. Not everyone has the money to pay for pick up or a truck to take it to the dump.

70. Pet waste. So sick of seeing garbage cans filled with things that could be composted.

71. Additional giveaway days where people can put things outside at the curb for others to take.

72. Semi annual bulk waste pick up

73. I would like to see one of those "too good to go" bays at the dump - items that may still have use such as clean scrap wood and other construction material, partially full paint cans, furniture and so on.

74. I wish the green bin worked better. I don't use it because of the mess and stink in the summer

75. Put green bins in the library!!!! The library has lots of programs with organic waste and it all just goes into the garbage

76. Electronic waste pick up several times a year or annually. I’ve not seen mention of what surface is required for the automated pick bins. How will street cleaning in winter impact this system? What responsibility will landlords have for student rental properties for educating renters or managing inappropriate/inadequate management by occupants?

77. curbside hazardous waste pick up once per year

78. Hazadous wastecollection

79. Something for electronics and furniture/mattresses

80. Building material - Lumber, Drywall,

81. A toxic taxi program existed in our previous community. We could call for hazardous waste pick up. It was a wonderful service.

82. Yard waste/leaf pickup biannual or quarterly...including Christmas tree pickup

83. I would love to see large item garbage collection, and would be happy to pay for the service.

84. Keep smaller green bins.

85. Will the above help Kingston meet waste diversion goals set by Ontario/Canada? What about other items like batteries, hazardous waste? Without pick-up these are going to landfill.

86. Something done about the amount of waste student rentals produce, not just during move in/out, but all school year long

87. Electrical and hazardous waste

88. Regular large item pickups are definitely needed. Such a pain to have two items and the only option is to pay $50 to the waste management place, or obviously some people just dump it in a park or somewhere. I think the idea of a $30 for one item and $10 for every other item will not solve the problem of illegal dumping. Still too expensive.

89. Occasional collection of light bulbs, fluorescent lights, Christmas lights, etc.

90. Electronic waste

91. Pick up old paint. Maybe once or twice a year

92. Large item pickup would be a huge improvement for folks who don't have access to a car - just want to say thank you for considering this!

93. "Free mattress drop off programs that are not run by a business.

94. Large item pickup should be free once per year.

95. Option for hazardous waste pickup a few times per year.

96. Hazardous waste collection

97. I would like to see reasonably priced non-private options to dispose of my waste.

98. I like the current red tag system for extra garbage bags (bought 6 tags 5 years ago and haven't used them yet). We do need some help with large disposal items that we have difficulty in driving out to the dump. Don't mind paying for that type of pre-scheduled pickup.

99. Electronics, batteries, wood and/or hazardous waste pickup.

100. The ability to put 1 yard waste bag out per month, without a fee attached to it

101. You need to get back big item pick up DAY. Where people can get rid of their big items ONCE FOR FREE in the year. Having no possible way to get rid of big items is the cause of so much being dumped illegally.

102. we use to have a few days in May that everyone could put out whatever they wanted and people were free to pick up items they could use. This was a good opportunity for people to get rid of "stuff" without it going to landfill sites.

103. Regular yard waste appeals to me

104. I like the idea of cart based pick up biweekly. If the cart is of the larger type then I can store my full bags in the cart away from animals.

105. I would rather see programs geared towards waste production reduction. This could be in the form of financial incentives to vendors to use more environmental packaging, or just less packaging, it "take home container" programs for leftovers and the like.

106. should be green bin collection for apartment buildings

107. Pet waste.- kitty litter or dog waste

108. I'd love to transition out of the bag tag program. I've long felt it really just means hygiene availability for the wealthy and people in poor neighborhoods just tend to throw their garbage out into the road. It's a terrible system

109. I would like the city to consider a biannual battery and/or waste paint can collection. Perhaps for a charge - $40 per year?

110. For question 1, there should be a fall and a spring pick-up. The fall one needs to be after the leaves have fallen (not at the beginning of November).

111. I would like to see the ability to put pet waste in the green bin like they do in Kitchener Waterloo - it is possible.

112. The antiquated bagged leaf pickup needs to stop. Leaves are organic, feed the soil, provide insect hibernation, butterfly and moth eggs, thus feeding birds during critical times and is in line with mono lawn mentality. Leave the leaves. We can do better than waste tax dollars when there are alternatives homeowners can adapt to while giving our fragile eco system support. Offer leaf bins for homes, people spend hours bagging hundreds of bags, a wire bin or designate yard area for leaves. We can do better. Bagging leaves in the fall destroys food for birds in the spring.

113. Smaller container options especially for green bins

114. I think the city does a very good job at waste diversion. We are a family of five (3 adults and 2 kids) and we are lucky to fill a garbage bag.

115. Other cities and towns have unlimited large items pick ups once in spring and again in the fall we should not have to pay or try and find someone to take stuff to dump and pay disposal fee. We pay enough for the crappy service we get. This is my second green bin broken within a year and this winter already garbage men are in a hurry and he walked right past by bag ring door bell saw him clearly. Then took four days to get picked up as my pick up is a Friday.

116. Happy to hear there may be year round leaf/yard waste collection (At least it should be offered in the spring as well) if we do not have bi-weekly collections

117. It would be nice if the city worked with terracycle to divert things like clean toothpaste tubes, clean deoderant containers, etc ftom landfill. Also perscription pill bottles that have had the oabel clean off shoukd be recycled

118. Keep the proposed garbage bin as small as possible, ie 120 l to promote and increase recycling

119. Would be great to have a metal day pick up once or twice a yr

120. "Weight limit should be gone when they use the new bins I would believe. Sometimes my garbage cans have dirty cat litter and it weighs down the bag. ??

121. "An additional brush pick up in spring.

122. This is a "big picture" option, but the waste drop-off stations (similar to molok bins) could be a better approach and save the city money. Take a look at Amsterdam's waste collection system. Each neighbourhood has a waste drop-off location that citizens can use at any time, and the city picks them up periodically.

123. Year round Hazmat waste available

124. "1 medium size bin on wheels for garbage and another for recyclables and another for organics.

125. Is an annual or biannual hazardous waste pickup feasible? I don't know what kind of restrictions or requirements a curbside pickup would have.

126. Leaf and brush pick up in the spring and fall

127. Electronic recycling

128. Scrap metal. Currently is dropped off at KIMCO.

129. Expand the green bin program to include dog and cat excrement

130. Considering charging for all garbage (including the first bag). Garbage represents a failure of composting and recycling and should be minimized. A 5L bag per person, per biweekly period seems reasonable. 135L per household/week seems excessive.

131. Monetary reward for households producing less waste

132. Twice a year, it would be beneficial I think for the city to collect all obsolete electronic devices (TV's, computers, radios, etc.)

133. Door to door hazardous waste collection several times per year.

134. More frequent yard waste pick-up would be ideal, but not at the cost of reduced garbage pick-up. Even once a month Spring-Fall would be great.

135. "Green Bins - organics - bi weekly

136. Old electronics and smaller appliances that BestBuy doesn't take like dehumidifiers, window AC units etc.

137. Offer large-item garbage collection for FREE twice a year

138. Pet waste. Many municipalities allow this to be flushed or composted. But Kingston sends it to the landfill.

139. Would love to have an at once a quarter "free" days and to be able to have large item pickup, even for a cost<; by calling ahead.

140. Bulk garage, like old appliances furnitures to be picked up like they do in Toronto as per request free of charge.

141. We’ve lived in a city with bi-weekly garbage collection and they offered 3 garbage bin sizes. The medium was no extra charge, large had an extra annual charge and small provided a credit.

142. Textiles being recycled

143. Eliminate leaf collection all together. Leaves build soil and are sustenance for billions of microorganisms. Leave the leaves where they fall. Mulch them if you must.

144. Spring yard waste pick up

145. Even before this transition, I have always said we need Leaf and Brush pick up 3 times a year! Spring, Summer and Fall. You do not need it bi-weekly as per question #1.That just increases taxes!

146. More frequent battery disposal pick up dates.

147. Cat litter waste accepted as part of organics, however it may not be worth the additional cost to improve the plant to process this

148. "I generally try to use most of my leaves as mulch, but inevitably I end up with some extra yard waste every now and then (noxious weeds, fallen twigs and branches, etc). I find it challenging to manage it all with only 1 yard waste pickup in the fall. Adding 1 additional yard waste pickup in the fall or even 1 in the spring would be very appreciated.

149. Look at Oshawa for large item collection. Once a year you can have one free collection of 12 items. Extra collections are $35 per collection of up to 12 items. They collect and grind the items right there. Very good program. $30 per item as suggested is too much.

150. Greater promotion of green bin use.

151. Municipal (non commercial) transfer station for disposal of large garbage items. Significant illegal dumping around Kingston in part because there is no cost-effective legal solution for disposal of one-off large items.

152. More frequent pick-up of hazardous house hold wastes, like CFLs, paint.

153. More garbage disposals available on city streets especially walking routes such as Union St, King St, and Earl St

154. Leave and brush pick up once in the fall and once in the spring

155. Xmas tree

156. More green bin systems in places like the library and near/around downtown/city hall. I realize pests can be a problem but there should be some way of managing it.

157. I would like to see large-item pickup without a charge. I am rural and the lack of this currently leads to illegal dumping in rural areas, both large items and regular trash. Most of my usage of the bag tag program is for this purpose - I put out an extra bag of trash from the ditch most weeks.

158. Quarterly leaf and brush pickup, annual curbside hazmat pickup, spring mulch delivery (pay service)

159. Would it be too tricky to collect complex items like electronics?

160. "Being able to schedule pick-up of large items would be great but $30 sounds excessive. People will continue to dump. No way to provide this service for free?

161. batteries and bulbs

162. Car seat recycling

163. Electronics pick up

164. Regular leaf/small yard waste pickup.

165. "Dangerous goods facility should be open year round

166. "Battery and electronics pickup twice a year

167. Spring leaf pickup for garden waste.

168. An e-waste day would be nice

169. I would like to see brush and leaf pickup offered twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. I don't see the need to have bi-weekly lead and bruch pickup especially during the winter months.

170. Leaf pick up should be in the spring and fall. The long line ups and wait time in the spring - LARGE carbon footprint. The cost quoted for large pick up items of $30 is way too high.

171. Yard waste grass etc. on a regular basis

172. "Question 1: Spring leaf and brush clean up would be wonderful not just fall. I've lived in my home for 26 years and there is two times a year that yard waste is a challenge with our street full of mature trees. Not all trees drop their leaves at the same time. On an average year I have any where from 15 to 20 bags of leaves and yard clean up in the fall and in spring at least 10 bags of garden plants and leaves from the neighbourhood. I don't remove flowers with seeds in the fall and leave them for the birds over winter.

173. Yes, perhaps there should be more regulations to decrease the amount of garbage and containers, like forcing people and businesses to use biodegradable materials.

174. Still waiting for biogas

175. Electronic waste definitely- we need a program that is trustworthy and viable

176. Large items for sure as well as electronics

177. small appliance collection area like current electronics drop off

178. Certainly would like to see more frequent pickup of used small batteries and fluorescent and led bulbs.

179. "I like the idea of large item pickup for the Queens District!!

180. In Toronto, we paid a yearly $65 fee to have heavy items out on garbage day for free, this included furniture and mattresses. It excluded building materials which had to be brought to the dump instead.

181. "Large item collection is an awesome idea.

182. A scheduled Spring garden waste pick-up. The open bins for paper & glass/plastic/tins collection is a nightmare on any windy day please push for a covered collection bin system with the recyclers. If you have to go to a bi-weekly garbage pick-up only do it during the winter months and don't shortchange the pick-up quantity.

183. Large item pickup without a charge. I don't know of any other city in Ontario that fails to offer this basic service on a weekly basis.

184. Weekly or biweekly yard waste (brown bag) pickup

185. I’d like to see the household hazardous waste be open for more hours, including some winter opening.

186. Weekly pick up essential for families with babies in disposable diapers. Not feasible to keep diapers for 2 weeks to wait for collection.

187. Battery disposal

188. Better promotion/socialization of the current programming (yard waste, metal waste, wood waste).

189. Yes, reduced garbage volume/size cart options for reduction in property tax (that is, incentive-based diversion options).

190. Perhaps some sort of incentive program for waste reduction.

191. I am very happy that the city provides water collection barrels at cost every spring. I'd love to see the city offer the same for compost containers for residents. I'd also like it if the city had it's own compost program, where residents could purchase compost from the city for our personal gardens. This would be especially helpful for people living in condos or apartments who want to have small gardens in planters or boxes on their patios, balconies, etc. but also for those of us who don't or can't compost at our own homes.

192. I would love to see electronic waste collection or a place to drop off such waste. I would also love to see the implementation of a reuse store like the city of Edmonton.

193. Keep the battery pickup once per month and folks could place the dead batteries on top of the cart

194. Have seen a system where people rake leaves into the curb and a truck comes and vacuums them up.

195. "A full user pay system for garbage based on cart size with an option for a smaller cart. Garbage pick up should be removed from the tax base and become 100% user pay to incentivize waste reduction.

196. I lived in Germany and loved the cart based garbage collection system. They also had a system for collecting and sorting still good items, like clothing and dishes. In supporting people who 'bin' for extra income, the waste in this city for still good items is unbelievable. We need a collection system for still good items to divert those items from heading to the landfill.

197. Enforce waste reduction on product suppliers (e.g. reduce packaging, recyclable packaging).

198. More frequent GiveAway days - weekly in warmer months; promotion and resourcing of right to repair movement/repair cafes.

199. One or two day a year for large items (free) the city will be saving money on labor.

200. In some countries (e.g. Netherlands), you can have furniture and renovations (e.g. left over 2x4s) items picked up for donation to the poor or habitat for humanity type of establishments. You have to book the request online and then an email is sent to you indicating what day the items need to be out curb side. These large items are diverted from the dump and put to good use.

201. I manage rental homes in Kingston but also own my own house. Some municipalities offer toxic waste pick up upon request (google Sudbury toxic taxi) and although I am always dropping items off on Lappan's lane from spring to fall my concern is that tenants simply flush or discard their hazardous waste as it is to them too complicated to drive to the drop off area. Not everyone has a vehicle either, and there are many elderly folks that simply do the same or accumulate these products as they have no other way to dispose of these. There is also the issue of the service only being available between April to November, if a tenant is moving out in the off season then they will simply discard their waste in the same manner. Perhaps this could be introduced on a fee base system throughout the year?

202. Christmas tree pickup

203. I think a tag system would help reduce waste and reduce taxes. In this way each residence is provided with, say 26 garbage tags and 26 organic tags. Additional tags would be available for purchase. Those of us who are very waste conscious should be able to benefit from our efforts.

204. I wish that hazardous waste or battery collection was a once a year option, as I worry that people dump these items illegally so they don't have to pay.

205. I do not need bi-weekly yard waste pickup - perhaps once per month from March to November would be sufficient. I think that pickups of E-waste, metals, and other could be useful, although perhaps just a couple of times per year (or maybe just set up a few drop of locations throughout the city for a couple days in the year).

206. "Anything that would include the pick-up of grass clippings would be appreciated. At present, I don't believe that much of that

207. I think offering a solution for large item pickup is an excellent way to discourage dumping. I would like to see a lower fee, but I think it is a service that Kingston needs.

208. "it is essential that green bins be collected weekly, especially in the warmer months

209. Electronic days

210. Semi-annual electronic waste/hazardous waste/batteries pick-up.

211. I would like to see Christmas trees collected.

212. Spring pick up of brush and spring clean up debris.

213. What about textiles? Old bedding, clothing, sewing scraps, etc

214. Door to door electronic waste collection, possibly once per month.

215. Availability to drop off household waste in person, from the households

216. Increased plastics collection (i.e. the type of plastics that we can recycle, like the clean, plastic toothpaste containers). I think that there should be a surcharge on single-use plastics at the point of sale if there are other alternate packaging options available and that the manufacturers should be held accountable for the containers that they use. Encourage people to use paper or biodegradable materials to dispose of their garbage and to reduce, reduce, reduce!!! Maybe there should be a reward system for those who do not produce a lot of waste that goes to the landfill. Maybe offer weekly suggestions for avoiding / repurposing non-recyclable items. Help us to get off of our addiction to plastics. Readers could offer suggestions as to how to do this as well.

217. Definitely add pick of yard waste in brown bags. Save us from lifting and driving the bags to Lappans.

218. Yard waste disposal site in the west end

219. A large item pick up day a few times a year. The price to dispose of large items in this city is prohibitive and hard to access. This could go a long way to prevent illegal dumping

220. Ability to divert all fabric wastes in a responsible and sustainable manner.

221. ewaste pick up 4 times a year

222. Yes, moneary penalty for people that don’t recycle or use green bins!

223. Xmas tree

224. Which ever waste diversion programme makes it more difficult for people to simply throw things in to the garbage bag as opposed to recycling and composting is the programme I would like to see implemented. Smaller garbage bins would be preferable. I have neighbours who have never put out a green bin or recycling bins. In nine years. Everything is put into the garbage bin.

225. Christmas tree pickup would be great to add (extra fee ok )

226. "1) more E-Waste drop off locations

227. In the summer months when the weather is warmer, I would like to see green bins continued to be picked up weekly due to the rotting food and also the insects it appears to attracts. I like the idea of a large item pick up possibility as needed!!

228. There's a day once per year for people to put usable items on the curb for anyone to take. It would be great to do this once or twice a month in the good weather. It also might be helpful to consider sponsoring a flea market once or twice a year to keep items out of the landfill.

229. More giveaway days would be helpful to reduce amount that goes into landfill. Also options to help the homeless encampments.

230. Electronics?

231. Really think the city needs to incentivize green bin use. Too many people are not utilizing green bins. Has this been discussed? Maybe going with the smaller garbage bin to encourage green bin use is the best option.

232. Something that deals with dog feces

233. Brush pickup

234. Battery colllection pickup or hazardous wastes

235. The idea of a large item pickup is excellent and I would be willing to pay for that. People who live downtown and have no car or small cars get stuck often when they can't get large end of life items thrown out.

236. All apartment/condo buildings should have mandatory composting programs at this point. We need to cut down on our garbage.

237. This survey is a farce. Only a handful of options are offered. It offers little choice. Do I want coffee with cream, milk, or black? If I want tea, there is no option! Many residents in apartments see trucks trying to load bins, now, which are noisy and inefficient. Waste will begin to rot and stink on a two-week schedule. The fees suggested are a cash grab by greedy bureaucrats. City Staff have no real clues about re-cycling!

238. e-waste

239. I would like to see a full pay per use system for garbage with no charge for organics and recycle. This might actually encourage residents to divert/reduce their waste going to landfill.

240. Would like to see expansion of the organics program - Guelph accepts pet waste and Toronto accepts menstrual products.

241. "With respect to question 1, I would like to see both fall and spring brush collection. This was not an option to select. Weekly garbage, organics and fall & SPRING brush pickup.

242. " Large item (like Mattresses) could have a drop off point for diversion. There are metals there and the plastics/foam is recycled elsewhere. This is an alternative to waste transfer point dropoff.

243. More convenient hazardous waste and/or technology disposal pickup options.

244. Inclusion of garden waste in green bins. Currently only picked up if food waste showing. What if I’m careful and I have no/very little food waste?

245. Push for more green bin use.

246. Pet waste and bags

247. some kind of program to collect wood. Currently there is no way to get rid of cut up 2*4s or bits of plywood or garden ties etc.

248. monthly battery collection

249. larger bins needed ASAP and leaf collection needs to be frequent. I have 4 massive trees on my property. waiting for the one day every fall is a nightmare and these bags take up too much room in my garage

250. Large item pickup seems very sensible even if I might not use it frequently.

251. Waste diversion for fabrics - old clothes, pillows, comforters, etc

252. Organics should be combined with leafs and yard waste as is done in the city of Vancouver.

253. We are using the clothes/fabric drop box. Great initiative that I hope you keep. I have a 20 year stash of torn sheets that are now diverted from landfill.

254. Mostly waste collection is great with exception of green bin.I stopped using the green bins because if you filled it up, your driver would refuse to lift it and leave it. What should a homeowner do with a full maggot infested bin that was provided by the city to fill?

255. Offer compost bins to residents at a discounted rate to install at their own homes/backyards. Offer grants for new moms to purchase reusable diapers/reusable diaper service like Montreal and to women for reusable personal hygiene products.

256. I think if the City was able to turn its compost into soil for use in municipal garden beds as well as for purchase by the public, it would be a very neat example of a circular economy and potentially a revenue source. Not every resident has the ability to compost in their yard but their gardens would benefit from high-quality composted soil. This would encourage more residents who don't already, to start diverting their organic waste.

257. "Give away days

258. Clean household waste and items such as building materials and furniture once or twice a year.

259. Collection of large objects ( like furniture), also once or twice a year the collection of hazardous.

260. old unusable clothes/fabric

261. Have extra bag policy on every holiday weekend

262. Garbage bins in all park's.

263. There should be a Chemicals, Metals and Building Pickup once a year in the fall; avoiding these products into the garbage pickups.

264. Christmas tree pickup

265. I like the treasure hunt days. Build them predictably into the city calendar.

266. Pick up leaves more and keep garbage the same

267. More frequent yard waste removal would be helpful.

268. Christmas tree pick up

269. Christmas tree pickup in early January.

270. A 'free stuff' drop off location for re-use by others. Perhaps a membership fee to participate. I often take loads to waste drop-off and see many items that thrown away but we are not allowed to pick up. This past week there were two brand new bundles of insulation that had been tossed out.

271. E waste

272. More give-away Saturdays, items on the curb.

273. Electronics

274. Free or discounted dump days for larger items

275. Regular once a month battery collection

276. Twice yearly large item pickup at no additional cost, as in other jurisdictions.

277. circular economy initiatives

278. Once a year pick up of hazardous waste (can be limited)?

279. "Ewaste at curb

280. "1.Clear guidance will be required on which disposal path is required for fruit 🍎 tree waste. Certain years, this can be weekly volume, currently not accepted through organic/green bin collection. Right now, fruit disposal is managed by weekly or biweekly drives to Lappans Lane. It’s not clear. Would we use the same bin for garbage one week and yard waste the next, alternating (season dependant)?

281. Large item curbside pickup should be a priority. Ensure bags are used for garbage then placed in containers.

282. "I would like to see a few easy waste drop off stations installed so I don’t need to depend on waste pickup days whether weekly or biweekly. This would be in the event I’m not going to be around the scheduled day of pickup or I’d like to dispose of the waste early in my self collection process so it doesn’t need to hang around until the scheduled collection day.

283. Keep the battery pick up, please.

284. Neighbourhood compost drop off locations could be incorporated to community gardens.

285. hazardous waste

286. Once a year large item pick up for free

287. Electronic specific or battery pickup?

288. Large item is the most important otherwise you have to pay expensive minimum dump fees or try and stockpile items to make it worth it. which is hard in small living areas.

289. "Monthly Place at your curb unwanted furniture and / or Free drop off days at a location that is accessible to others to pick up ( similar to end of year Queens site)

290. No, there are lots of collection sites around Kingston. (hazardous waste, electronics)

291. Reduce packaging in stores, ensure only products sold make use of easily recyclable materials. Update building codes for a ‘green future’ and that includes space to get all these different bins in/out of the garage with no chance of attracting pests.

292. "Toxic substances like oil and paints pick up

293. More yard waste collection days

294. I wish access to hazardous waste drop off was easier. I seem to miss the windows of opportunity.

295. Hazardous waste pick up would be convenient.Perhaps offer pick up 3-4 times per year.

296. Could the City consider having a once a year curbside pick up of hazardous materials for those that don't have access to a car as they walk or use public transit?

297. The current green bin is brilliant. Most weeks, after recycling and green bin use, our household only puts out one very small bag of garbage per week. Less than 5 pounds, and much smaller than a milk crate.

298. Weekly garbage and green bins but make them smaller not larger! No garbage pick up unless green bin is used?

299. Electronics waste disposal on the east side of the city such as the public works yard on highway 15.

300. "DIAPER PICK UP!!!

301. As a family of 3 plus a dog, we do not get close to 180L can of garbage. Would love year round leaf pick up!!!!!

302. Junk collection once a year

303. E-waste diversion

304. Cat litter composting

305. special hazardous waste pickups on designated days

306. "Need better clarity on what is and what isn't recyclable. While I know this is not part of the City's job or this survey, I find the variability in what gets picked up and what doesn't frustrating.

307. Bring back Christmas tree disposal

308. Would be interested in the leaf pick up system used in Mississauga, where you rake the leaves to the road and the truck sucks them up. Although Kingston may be too windy for this model.

309. Maybe an easy way for hazardous waste to be picked up?

310. Green bin pick up for condo/apartment buildings

311. Allow plastic bags in the green bin. Pick up items like Christmas trees and hazardous waste like a real city. Look to Toronto for good ideas. Our current system of going to the KARC is extremely car centric and NOT appropriate of a city under a state of emergency due to climate change. Ensure users WITHOUT their own vehicles can dispose of their waste at no additional cost compared to vehicle owners.

312. Leaf waste should be allowed in green bins, as long as it fits. Larger green bins please!

313. The city should offer free metal pickup once or twice a year.

314. Brush and leaves should be picked up once a month

315. Perhaps electronics

316. Yard waste. We came from Waterloo region who had yard waste collection and found it very useful.

317. Per question 5. I said "No" based on current options for disposal of furniture, mattresses or appliances. For Example, Mattress Mart charges $14.00 for mattress disposal and unless it is a foam mattress, they recycle the metal from the existing mattress or box spring. There are plenty of independent metal collectors in Kingston and surrounding area that will collect old appliances.

318. Partnerships with not-for-profits to allow diversion of useful household goods and large items into their support systems. City could set up a reasonable payment as suggested in Q5 above and have item picked up by city, then delivered to the not-for-profit organization facility with pre-approval of acceptance facilitated online. Possible organizations might be Salvation Army or Habitat Restore.

319. Program to pick up materials from small construction projects. They could be recycled.

320. Incineration is a viable environmental option that is widely used in Europe. Why are we not considering this option?

321. Electronic waste collection

322. Basing waste allowed by household number versus flat amount for every house even if single resident vs house with newborns & diapers

323. More frequent battery disposal

324. Grass clippings

325. Mandatory clear garbage bags, pick up refused if they contain recyclable items

326. When in another city, there was twice a year junk pick up.

327. I think everyone should get a 240L garbage bin more room just in case and should do yard waste pick up ones a month

328. While I don't think we need bi-weekly brush/leaf pick up, an additional Spring pick up would be appreciated. My leaf pick up has been in December the past two years, and I was unable to take part as I cannot pre-bag the leaves without the bags getting wet and disintegrating at the curb, and then when my week came everything was soaking wet.

329. I can't think of anything right now. I do wish leaf pick up happened in spring as well, since that is when I rake most of my leaves.

330. Periodic hazardous waste pick-up.

331. Possibly hazardous waste .... small items i.e. unused paint in cans.

332. If possible, a few more battery-pickup days throughout the year would be good (thinking of the growing senior population who may not have a vehicle or access to a ride).

333. "Yard waste as composte. Grass clippings etc.

334. Companies offering compost bins for employees. and city offering compost pick up for said companies

335. "Our biggest issues with garbage collection are the annoyance of bag tags and undersized recycling bins.

336. bimonthly battery pick up would be nice

337. Regular yard waste collection ie lawn clippings and garden clippings not just leaf and brush

338. "I appreciate and support the fabric recycling program trial.

339. More effort put towards business (fast food) waste diversion. Also review large building/instituiton recycling efforts (ie CFB Kingston, Prisons, Apartment buildings). Just walk into any Tim Hortons or McDonalds and it is obvious they are just dumping everything in the trash. Not to pick on the companies, as it is the customers who also contribute to this.

340. A curb side pick up for aerosol cans similar to the annual battery collection.

1. "Weekly garbage. Medium carts free, Small carts $100 annual credit, Large cart upgrade $200 annual fee. Singles/couples/retirees receive credit and encourages less waste production. Families will likely produce more than one bag, and this would be for a standard household. Currently at 135 litre, at least match that for free or more. (Please don’t reduce the size for families and make them pay more to bring them back to two bags) Large bins are for the excess trash producers, large households, those not recycling etc.

2. Encourage people not to put out their bins if they aren’t full, since stopping and accelerating the trucks are what consume the most fuel. So this would reduce both fuel costs and CO2 emission.

3. "When there a holiday and you get bump a day.keep it till next holiday.

4. Recognize a lot of families are combined due to raising costs. This means more garbage more recycling. The only city provided item currently large enough is the green bin.

5. Large item pick-up could be scheduled twice a year (spring and fall) instead without any extra cost as is done in many municipalities already.

6. The current system seems to work. Why increase costs?

7. There should be access to a way to dispose of a bag a garbage without charge. This will be particularly important if a bi-weekly collection is implemented, and people miss a scheduled collection day, as I foresee a rodent infestation problem developing due to uncollected garbage.

8. Keep the costs low and affordable for all.

9. Regular large item pickups are definitely needed. Such a pain to have two items and the only option is to pay $50 to the waste management place, or obviously some people just dump it in a park or somewhere. I think the idea of a $30 for one item and $10 for every other item will not solve the problem of illegal dumping. Still too expensive.

10. "Please don't increase the size of garbage bins - I already see recycling done poorly in our neighbourhood and I feel that allowing more garbage will divert more recyclable materials to landfills

11. This is a "big picture" option, but the waste drop-off stations (similar to molok bins) could be a better approach and save the city money. Take a look at Amsterdam's waste collection system. Each neighbourhood has a waste drop-off location that citizens can use at any time, and the city picks them up periodically.

12. More frequent yard waste pick-up would be ideal, but not at the cost of reduced garbage pick-up. Even once a month Spring-Fall would be great.

13. We’ve lived in a city with bi-weekly garbage collection and they offered 3 garbage bin sizes. The medium was no extra charge, large had an extra annual charge and small provided a credit.

14. Look at Oshawa for large item collection. Once a year you can have one free collection of 12 items. Extra collections are $35 per collection of up to 12 items. They collect and grind the items right there. Very good program. $30 per item as suggested is too much.

15. I'd be afraid to suggest anything. New idea=more money from citizen.

16. cost recovery recycling - alberta has a good model with encourages people to recycle and bring recycling to depot for $ back - this reduces the landfill since people are enticed to get compensated for all recycling.

17. Why are we doing this? Isn't this going to be very expensive to implement? Buying all new trucks and bins? Plus, $6 per bin extra is too high for a single family dwelling

18. "Being able to schedule pick-up of large items would be great but $30 sounds excessive. People will continue to dump. No way to provide this service for free?

19. How about having Hazardous Waste Days/Weekends at various locations throughout the city, throughout the year? Not everyone has a vehicle to get to the dump. (And why isn't the Hazardous Waste Depot open all year?!)"

20. Get rid of bag tags, just increase taxes to make the program better for families.

21. Leaf pick up should be in the spring and fall. The long line ups and wait time in the spring - LARGE carbon footprint. The cost quoted for large pick up items of $30 is way too high.

22. "It would be nice if we could do away with the alternating weeks for recycling pickup, but I suspect doing so would probably be cost prohibitive.

23. City taxpayers should not be paying for extra large items. Individuals should fund their own costs for getting rid of old mattresses, etc. I can just imagine the messes along streets if that kind of large item pickup was available! I shouldn't have to fund that on my taxes!

24. Large item pickup without a charge. I don't know of any other city in Ontario that fails to offer this basic service on a weekly basis.

25. Allow carts in the suburbs at a reduced cost, but keep bag and container pickup in the older parts of the city.

26. "A full user pay system for garbage based on cart size with an option for a smaller cart. Garbage pick up should be removed from the tax base and become 100% user pay to incentivize waste reduction.

27. It is awesome that the City has yard disposal so available and free. I see a lot if big items dumped just north of me and I believe it is because it is too expensive for some people to get rid if old furniture and junk and having a program that is more accessible and less costly I feel is needed. A lot of people complain about the cost of getting rid of large items or heavy junk like lawnmowers.

28. Cheaper access to waste transfer stations for disposal of additional waste. The minimum tipping fee where I used to live was $10 for the first 100kg... The minimum charge of around $50 here is outrageous.

29. Every household receives one standard 120 Litre garbage cart free of charge collected bi-weekly. Cost to upgrade size.

30. Yard items such as occasional bricks and rocks. not sure what to do with this type of stuff. I like the large item idea but would need to make sense. perhaps a sliding scale. A outdoor plastic chair should not cost the same as a fridge.

31. Keep it low cost

32. This survey is a farce. Only a handful of options are offered. It offers little choice. Do I want coffee with cream, milk, or black? If I want tea, there is no option! Many residents in apartments see trucks trying to load bins, now, which are noisy and inefficient. Waste will begin to rot and stink on a two-week schedule. The fees suggested are a cash grab by greedy bureaucrats. City Staff have no real clues about re-cycling!

33. I would like to see a full pay per use system for garbage with no charge for organics and recycle. This might actually encourage residents to divert/reduce their waste going to landfill.

34. Further cost-effective programs to reduce the amount of waste making it's way to landfills (i.e., re-use and recycling of used products).

35. Offer compost bins to residents at a discounted rate to install at their own homes/backyards. Offer grants for new moms to purchase reusable diapers/reusable diaper service like Montreal and to women for reusable personal hygiene products.

36. Some option to dispose of small quantities of misc construction waste Eg. a few pieces of scrap wood, 2x4s, plywood, etc. Need to bring to dump now with a min flat cost of $50.

37. Please keep the bag tags or implement to the user pay flat rate disposal. Please do not add extra costs to taxes at the expense of low volume generators such as seniors.

38. We do require another option for large items rather than having to deliver to the local waste area and spend $50+ dollars. Many large items require us to pay someone to come take it away which is even more costly.

39. Twice yearly large item pickup at no additional cost, as in other jurisdictions.

40. Once a year large item pick up for free

41. Very interested in more yard waste pick up at no extra cost

42. I regularly see garbage dumped at the roadside on McAdoo lane and in park garbage cans - I would like to see an option for residents to take extra waste to a facility for a nominal cost. Example is Durham Region - cost $5 for first 40kg and $1 for each 8kg beyond. Current private waste company options in Kingston are ridiculously expensive.

Question: Do you have any other comments about the transition to a cart-based collection system?

Diversion concerns