A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Island Waste Management Corporation is continuing to experience some effects of the COVID-19 pandemic but operations have generally returned to normal. This has been a challenging time for Islanders, including IWMC employees, drivers and contractors.
Islanders can be proud of their contributions to a greener planet through active participation in the Waste Watch Program. Proper separation of waste by residential and commercial customers is key to a successful waste management program but imagine if we produced less waste in the first place. The five Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle, challenge us to think differently about how we use materials and encourage us to look for opportunities to make healthier choices for the environment. If every Islander made one change – what a difference that could make! You could repair rather than replace a broken appliance, purchase products that are designed to last, or refresh that old wood cabinet with a coat of paint.
As we look forward to 2022, and to what we hope will be the end of the pandemic, IWMC will continue to look for opportunities to enhance service delivery, and to champion the five Rs. PEI is a leader in solid waste management in Canada, and we are working hard to remain on the leading edge.
On behalf of our team at IWMC, I want to thank our customers for your patience and kindness, the CPHO, HPEI and the Province for your leadership and incredible efforts to protect and support Islanders, and our staff and contractors for keeping this essential service operating throughout this period of uncertainty.
Karen A. MacDonald, CEO
NO MOW MAY
In spring 2021, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) encouraged people across Canada to delay mowing lawns until June. The No Mow May campaign, which originated in the UK, promoted the delay of mowing to improve habitat for native pollinators and other insects. Insects benefit from flowering plants that bloom in landscapes left to grow, as nectar sources can be scarce in spring.
NCC also asked people to consider growing native perennials that will flower at different times and let a section of the property go wild for the whole summer to encourage biodiversity. Understanding that some people may prefer to mow their lawn in May, No Mow May campaigners suggested adjusting the height of the lawnmower so that the grass could stay longer.
For the past eighteen years, IWMC has offered island-wide Spring Cleanup for excess yard and garden debris during the first and third weeks in May. We would like to remind customers who wish to participate in No Mow May and wait until later in the season to dispose of excess yard and garden debris that the following disposal options are available to them:
- Up to two extra bags of compost, including yard and garden debris, may be placed next to the green cart to be collected free of charge on all regular compost collection days. This does not apply to the period when excess yard and garden debris collection is suspended between the first Monday of April and the completion of Spring Cleanup.
- Yard and garden debris may be dropped off at any Waste Watch Drop-Off Center for a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $30 per load based on weight as per current rates.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service center at 1-888-280-8111 or email at info@iwmc.pe.ca.
WINTER TIPS
- On snowy days you can place your cart up to 18 ft from curbside. Make sure your carts and bags are visible and not stuck in snow or ice.
- Be considerate of drivers. Use salt or sand if the area around your carts or bags is icy.
- Remove empty carts as soon as possible to prevent them from blowing onto the road.
- When driving, do not follow too closely behind a collection truck when roads are snow covered or slippery. Trucks make frequent stops.
For updates on IWMC storm closures and collection cancellations:
- Visit IWMC website at iwmc.pe.ca
- Call Customer Service Center at 1-888-280-8111
- Check IWMC Facebook page IWMC PEI
- Download free Recycle Coach app
TINY CHANGES, BIG RESULTS
At IWMC we manage solid waste and work to reduce the volume of materials transported to PEI’s only landfill, safely handle and dispose of toxic materials, and recover valuable materials present in various solid waste streams, such as metals and electronics.
While we have invested in modern technologies and best practices, we rely on you – our customers, to join us as partners in protecting our environment. Sharing tips is one way we can help you to make informed environmental choices.
Less waste is generated when manufacturers design products with the eventual disposal of their products and recovery of the materials in mind. As consumers, we too have a role to play and could consider doing the following:
buy smartly designed, durable products that can be repaired- support companies that offer take-back programs at the end of their product’s life cycle (electronics, chemicals, textiles, etc.)
- opt for minimally packaged products or, whenever practical, buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
These actions can help reduce waste and reward environmentally responsible manufacturers without sacrificing our comfort and budget in the long term.
CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL OPTIONS
Islanders have three Christmas tree disposal options. All three options require that all decorations and especially wire be removed from the tree; and that the tree not be placed in a bag.
Curbside Collection
Curbside collection of Christmas Trees begins on Monday, January 10. To qualify for curbside collection, Christmas trees have to be:
- Placed curbside by 7 am on Monday, January 10 to avoid missing your collection. Drivers are not able to come back if trees are not curbside at the time of your pickup.
- Easily accessible — not frozen to ground or buried in snow.
- Cut in half if taller than 8ft and heavier than 50lb, so drivers can lift trees onto the truck.
Drivers have the entire week to complete island-wide curbside tree collection. Please call IWMC Customer Service no later than Tuesday, January 18 if your tree is not collected by Saturday, January 15.
Deliver To A Waste Watch Drop-Off Center
Residential customers can drop off trees free of charge.
Attention Goat Farmers
If you would like to accept Christmas trees from the general public, please contact IWMC. We will add your farm to the current list of participating farms on our website, and post your drop-off instructions. Please note you can deregister from the list at any time.
USEFUL LINKS
IWMC Waste Watch Drop-Off Centers Working Hours
