Main content

Alert message

Image

Welcome to our FAQ page!

You will find here answers to the most common questions and also general information about our services and some direct links.

Waste, recycling and hazardous waste

Changes to the waste collection services in 2023

Why these changes?

To facilitate & encourage waste diversion, allow for a transition towards automated collection, and improve fair representation of the user-pay model.

Why do the bins need to be the ones designated by the Town?

The Town's designated bins will ensure consistency and equity for ALL residents. Furthermore, while a garbage bin may appear to be similar to the ones that will be distributed by the Town, seemingly small manufacturing differences can make certain bins incompatible with a garbage truck’s lifting mechanisms. Transitioning towards compatible and uniform garbage bins will allow for a more efficient, automated collection service. The designated bins will also have a serial number and an RFID chip to assign the bins to each address, which also improves the automated collection service.

What can I do with my old garbage container?

For now, keep it! The new bins will only be delivered the week of May 29th to June 3rd , so be sure to keep an appropriate waste container until then.

After the transition, your old container can still be useful. Please consider which of the following options works for you and the type of container you have.

Repurpose

A bin is only a garbage bin when it’s used to store garbage! 

You can repurpose your garbage bin as a recycling bin by clearly identifying it with a Town recycling bin sticker. These stickers will be available at Town Hall by the end of May 2023. The stickers must be placed on the container in such a way as to be clear to the collectors. Please pay special attention to the contents of your recycling bins to be sure no garbage is included. Recyclable materials contaminated with non-accepted materials such as garbage will not be collected.

You can also repurpose such bins for efficient storage for things like yard tools, pet supplies, holiday decorations, sports equipment and much more. Give your bin a good clean and it can keep serving you for years to come!

Another way to repurpose certain types of garbage bins is to make a composter with them. Search online for "composter built with a trash can" to find step-by-step plans.

Rehome

Your bin might be exactly what someone else is looking for! Consider selling it or donating it.

Other option to consider

If your old garbage container is no longer functional, you can dispose of it during the bulky waste collection taking place June 19th to 22nd 2023. Containers must be empty and placed upside down for collection. Exceptionally, this item will not count towards the 2 item limit.

How will the distribution of the designated bins occur?

The designated bins will be delivered directly to residences between May 29th and June 3rd. Bins will be delivered on the property in the same location where the bin would be set out on collection day. For a typical household, this would be at the end of the driveway, set back from the curb. If you have not received you garbage bin(s) by June 6th, please contact the Town at 613-632-0106 or email .

One (1) 240L bin will be assigned and delivered to each residential unit within a building of less than four (4) total units (detached houses, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes). Therefore, a detached house will receive one (1) 240L bin, each unit of a duplex will receive one (1) 240L bin (total of 2 per duplex building), so on and so forth. 

Additional garbage?

While a unit’s weekly garbage will be limited to the volume of waste contained in the designated bin(s) with the lid(s) closed, there is also the possibility of setting out some additional waste in a bag tagged with special bag tag available for purchase at Town Hall. Any such excess garbage bags must not exceed 13.6 kg (30 lb) each and must be placed alongside a designated grey bin served by Town collection. A set of ten (10) bag tags will be given for free with each rolling bin delivered in the spring of 2023. Any additional bag tags that may be required will be available for purchase at Town Hall in sets of three (3) for $10. 

If your household regularly produces more waste than can be contained in a 240L bin, please write to us as soon as possible to request an additional bin. You can reach us by email at  by mailing Town Hall at 600 Higginson st, Hawkesbury ON K6A 1H1. Please note that garbage user fees will be calculated per bin, so any additional bins will incur additional costs.

How will we be charged for the bin purchase?

We predict approximately *$45 per bin which will be charged only once on the quarterly bill in October 2023.

*Approximations These costs are NOT confirmed since we cannot yet determine the cost that will be incurred for each designated grey bin.

How can I change the number of bins for my property?

A change period will open annually (October to November) to allow owners to register a change in their number of assigned bins. This change would then take effect the following year.

Do these changes affect the other services?

No. The recycling, water and sewer services are NOT affected by these changes to the garbage collection.

What happens if a bin breaks?

In the case of a broken bin, the responsibility for replacement (and the associated cost) lies with the person who caused the damage. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, please note that owners and occupants are responsible for maintaining and storing their bins in an appropriate manner that will help prevent damage.

The public works team will have replacement parts to help repair certain damages. In the event that a bin is no longer in working order and needs to be replaced, the broken bin must be returned to the Town in order to note its serial number, and unassign it from the associated address.

Moving?

Bins must remain at the address to which they were assigned. In the case of a tenant moving, the landlord / property owner must be sure to communicate effectively with the tenants to ensure that they leave their bin. The owner remains responsible for the bin(s) assigned to their property.


Commercial and Multi-Residential properties (5 units or more)

How will the distribution of the designated bins occur?

The designated bins will be delivered directly to residences in the spring of 2023. More details will be published as soon as they are available.

Commercial properties will be assigned and delivered one (1) 360L bin each. Select commercial properties that have already registered with the Town for extra garbage will receive the corresponding number of extra 360L bins, up to a maximum of 3 bins per property.

If your commercial property produces more waste than can be contained in a 360L bin, please write to us as soon as possible to request an additional bin. You can reach us by email at by mailing Town Hall at 600 Higginson st, Hawkesbury ON K6A 1H1. Please note that garbage user fees will be calculated per bin, so any additional bins will incur additional costs.

Multi-Residential properties will be assigned and delivered the number of 360L bins determined by their registration submitted or by default as a function of the number of units.

If we opt for private garbage collection, can we participate in municipal bulky waste special collections?

No, the special collection service for bulky items is reserved for the properties serviced by the municipal collection. The municipal garbage service user fees include regular garbage collections, special bulky waste collections, as well as special Christmas tree collections. These three services are therefore not offered to properties that have opted out of municipal collections in favour of being exempted of the garage user fees.

How can I change the number of bins for my property?

A change period will open annually (October to November) to allow owners to register a change in the either their choice of service type (public or private) or their number of assigned bins. This change would then take effect the following year.

By-laws

Complaints

To file a complaint on By-laws enforced by the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers, you may do so by contacting them at 613 632-0106. Anonymous complaints are not accepted, nor the ones made on our Facebook page, complainant must provide his full contact information. Complainant identification is kept confidential.

Emergencies

Emergency plan

Are you ready for an Emergency? All the details on this page:

https://www.hawkesbury.ca/en/living/emergency-services/are-you-ready-for-an-emergency

Electricity

Hydro Hawkesbury

All questions must be asked directly to Hydro Hawkesbury.

613 632-6689

Municipal life

How to watch the Council meetings on our Youtube channel

You can access all our Council meeting on our Youtube channel at:

logo youtube

Don't forget to subscribe!

 

Permits, certificates and licences

Domestic animals

Licences are renewable annually by March 15. Two dogs per household are authorized.

The Town does not require cat registration.

All the details on this page:

https://www.hawkesbury.ca/en/town-hall/certificates-and-licenses/dog-licences

Recreation

Information desk at Robert-Hartley Sports Complex

Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)


425 Cartier Boulevard
(613) 636-2082

Taxes

Property taxes

There are two tax bills per year, for a total of 4 installments:

  •    the Interim Billing is payable in two installments; at the end of March and end of June;
  •    the Final Billing is payable in two installments; at the end of September and end of November.

For any information about property and water taxes, please call 613 632-0106 or email us at . You still can make a tax payment, please use one of the following options:

  •    Use our secure outer box at main entrance;
  •    Through your online banking services enter the first 15 digits of your roll number starting by 0208 (smartphone or computer).
  •    At your financial institution.
  •    Pre-Authorized debit plan.
  •    Postdated cheque.

Paymentus (Secure online payment)

  • Pay your bill in 3 easy steps without registering. All you need is your account number from your paper bill.

    Payments made prior to midnight will be posted to your account next day. Payments made after midnight will be posted within 48 hours. For each payment, you will receive a confirmation number for your records.

Water

Leaks, interruptions, pressure, taste, odour or colour of drinking water

For questions regarding leaks, interruptions, pressure, taste, odour or colour of drinking water, please contact the Environmental Service by e-mail at: .

Our social networks

Facebook

Facebook

Contact with our citizens is a very important concept for the Town of Hawkesbury. We disseminate or share a wealth of information intended for citizens.

The use of this communication platform, mainly our Facebook page, makes it possible to provide our citizens with information in real time, to recall local events, to promote its services and programs and allows people to exchange on various current topics by taking part in the discussions.

Our Facebook page is operated during normal business hours, except holidays. The Town expects an average of 48 business hours to respond to messages sent. For more specific requests regarding garbage collection, for example, we invite you to contact us at 613 632-0106.

Behavior to adopt

We are therefore counting on your best judgment to show courtesy and respect in your interventions on the Town of Hawkesbury's Facebook page. Any opinion, expressed with tact and respect, is welcome. Remember that we check all comments.

Note that we reserve the right to hide or delete any inappropriate comments. Here are some examples of language that will not be tolerated:

  • Rudeness.
  • Offensive language as well as discriminatory or violent remarks.
  • Attacks and personal insults, even of a humorous nature.
  • Defamatory statements that violate privacy.
  • Comments that do not respect intellectual property.

In the event an individual contravenes these provisions, he/she could receive a warning from us and be banned from the page following a repeat offense. Remember that you signed a code of conduct by joining Facebook.

You can reach our Facebook page by clicking here.