Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon residents looking to clear out some clutter will soon get another chance to put out unlimited amounts of acceptable garbage without garbage tags.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that means two weeks of unlimited garbage collection.

Peel Region’s next garbage exemption period runs from Sept. 14 to 25, but each household’s exemption applies only on its regular garbage collection day.

And that means residents need to pay attention to their collection schedule.

If it’s your recycling day, the extra garbage will not be picked up.

Peel Region says residents can put out unlimited amounts of acceptable garbage on their exemption day, with no garbage tags required. The Region advises residents to check their collection calendar to find their garbage pickup day.

The exemption is a popular opportunity for residents doing a fall cleanup, cleaning out a garage or basement, or simply getting rid of accumulated household clutter.

What can you put out?

The exemption applies to acceptable household garbage that would normally go into the grey garbage cart.

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Smaller items should be placed in garbage bags, while larger items can be placed separately at the curb.

Extra garbage should be placed beside the garbage cart, with one metre (three feet) of space between the cart and the extra garbage.

There are also limits on individual garbage bags, even during the exemption period.

A garbage bag cannot weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds), be more than 66 centimetres (26 inches) wide or 90 centimetres (35 inches) high. Bags must also be at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) wide and 30 centimetres high.

Residents can also put out many regular bulky household items, including furniture and mattresses, through regular garbage collection.

What can’t you put out?

“Unlimited garbage” doesn’t mean everything sitting around the house can go to the curb.

Some items require a trip to a Peel Community Recycling Centre rather than a spot beside your garbage cart.

That includes electronics, such as televisions, computers and monitors.

Large appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, also don’t belong in curbside garbage collection.

And if the fall cleanup includes leftover material from a renovation, don’t put it at the curb. Construction, renovation and demolition waste is not collected through regular curbside garbage.

Residents should also keep household hazardous waste out of their garbage. Items such as batteries, paint, solvents, fuels, pesticides, household cleaners and propane cylinders require special disposal.

Peel says batteries should never be placed in garbage, recycling or organics carts because they can cause fires.

For anything you’re not sure about, the Region recommends using its online Waste Sorter to find out how an item should be disposed of.

Don’t miss your day

The biggest thing residents need to remember is that the exemption isn’t simply a two-week period when unlimited garbage will be collected.

It is a two-week window in which each household gets its exemption on its regular garbage collection day.

And that day may not be the same as your neighbour’s.

Peel also warns that garbage carts and extra garbage may be collected at different times. Residents should leave both at the curb until 8 p.m. on collection day.

So before that fall cleanup turns into a curbside cleanup, check the Peel collection calendar — and make sure you’re putting everything out on the right day.


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