Frequently Asked Questions
Recycling
1) When is my recycling day?
Area #1 (Goulais West, Mission Rd, Old Hwy 17 Rd) = 1st Friday of the month
Area #2 (Goulais East, Heyden, Searchmont) = 2nd Friday of the month
Area #3 (Havilland, Batchawana, Hwy 17 N) = 3rd Friday of the month
2) My recycling was not picked up. Why not?
Did you put it out on the right day? Was it put out on time? Was it placed in an open container? Did it only contain acceptable materials (see below) and were they clean with lids removed?
Recycling must be in place by 8am on your designated pick-up day, must be put inside an open container (no bags), must be clean and lids/caps removed, and must only contain plastics (types #1 & #2 only) or cans (aluminum or tin/steel).
If these guidelines are not followed, then your recycling cannot be accepted as it might result in the whole truckload being rejected at the recycling depot, totally defeating the purpose of the collection.
3) What can I recycle? (curbside collection)
Plastics (#1 & #2 only) - Look for the number in a triangle on the bottom of the container. All #1 and #2 containers will be accepted except for oil products such as motor oils and cooking oils and hazardous waste materials such as antifreeze or paint containers. Lids/caps should be removed as these are not recyclable.
Cans (aluminum or tin/steel) - Cans do not need to be crushed. Lids should be safely contained so the collectors are not injured. Paper labels do not have to be removed. Do not put out aluminum foil, pie plates, scrap metal, etc.
4) Why don't you collect paper/cardboard?
The Sault North Recycling Days is a pilot recycling program and right now we are only able to collect plastics and cans. As the program expands and if funding allows, we will be considering the addition of a fibre (paper/cardboard) component to our recycling collection.
Paper can be recycled at the Green Circle recycling facility at 86 Sackville Road in Sault Ste. Marie. Normally they have extra bins located outside where paper and cardboard can be deposited free of charge, however due to the recent decline in the recycling market, they now have to charge a fee of $6 for each drop-off visit.
Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm. For more information please call (705) 945-7554.
5) Where can I recycle glass?
Previously, glass could be dropped off for recycling at the Green Circle recycling facility located at 86 Sackville Road in Sault Ste. Marie. Currently, they are no longer accepting glass for drop-off, however this situation may change if markets improve. For up-to-date information please call (705) 945-7554.
6) Why does the City collect more items for recycling than Sault North?
The City is an incorporated municipality with a large tax-base which provides them with a much greater source of funding to run their recycling program, therefore they are able to accept more items and collect more frequently.
Sault North recycling initiatives must rely on the funding acquired through the hard work of the non-profit Sault North Waste Management Council, therefore we are currently able to offer the pilot recycling program only. We are researching additional funding opportunities for expanding our program to include paper and cardboard.
Garbage
1) Who do I contact to set up curbside garbage collection?
GT WASTE SYSTEMS
Serving north of SSM; Batchewana, Heyden, Searchmont, Goulais & commercial businesses with refuse pickup. Rental of trucks & trailers for larger projects available.
Fee: $20/month = 3 bags per week for household garbage.
For more information, please call Greg or Tammy Long at (705) 649-4540.
2) Where can I bring my garbage?
There are currently two sites open and available for approximately 10,000 Sault North residents. The largest site is located in Havilland Township and a smaller site at Montreal River. These sites are owned by the MNR and operated by independent contractors. The life expectancy of the Havilland WDS is estimated at 8 – 15 years depending on the commitment of Sault North residents to recycling and diversion of hazardous waste.
Seasonal Sault North residents who permanently reside in the City of Sault Ste. Marie may choose to bring their garbage to the City landfill for disposal or to be included with their regular curbside pick-up.
For our neighbours in the Ranger Lake area, there is also the Ranger Lake WDS which is available exclusively for use by Ranger Lake residents and cottagers only. The site is locked and a key can be obtained for a fee of $20/year. For more information, please call or leave a message for Don Scott at (705) 942-5467.
3) What are the hours of operation for the local Waste Disposal Sites?
The Havilland WDS is open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Fees are as follows:
1 green garbage bag = $2.50
1/2 ton truck load = $31.00
Two half ton trucks or 1 ton = $62.00
Tandem dump truck = $125.00
Triaxle dump truck or 20 yard roll-off = $150.00
Please note: As of July 1, 2010 tickets will no longer be available. If you still have tickets, they will be honoured at the old rate.
For more information please contact Jim Lipsit by calling (705) 649-3293.
The Montreal River WDS operates on a key lock system - get key and pay at Northgate Service Centre. For ticket fees and more information please contact Dan Grenier by calling (705) 882-2159.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie WDS is open Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm (year-round) and Saturday 8am – 2:30pm (April to October only) with occasional extended hours. For more information please call the info line at (705) 759-1567.
Most sites are closed for major holidays.
4) Why do I see garbage collectors from the City using the Havilland WDS? I thought access was for Sault North residents only (just as the City landfill is for City residents only).
Soo Disposals and Waste Management have contracts to pick up waste (usually from commercial premises or mobile home parks) in the Sault North area. As the waste is coming from Sault North it cannot go to the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s waste disposal site. These Sault North loads do go to the Havilland Waste Disposal site. These businesses have been reminded that only the waste from Sault North is permitted to be deposited in the Havilland Waste Disposal site.