For residents in the Tantramar region, finding the proper way to dispose of electronic waste, furniture, small household machinery, and hazardous waste can be a challenge. That is why the Mobile Eco-Depot — an initiative managed by Eco360 — focuses on sustainable waste management practices within Westmorland and Albert Counties, providing a convenient and responsible way for residents to dispose of various types of waste.
The Mobile Eco-Depot’s mission is to promote eco-friendly waste disposal in the region. To facilitate the process, the depot has set up shop at different locations, with one such event scheduled at the Dorchester Veterans Community Centre on November 7 and 8, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. This mobility allows residents to access eco-friendly disposal options without the need for long journeys to dedicated waste facilities.
It is essential to follow the guidelines set by the Mobile Eco-Depot to maintain a smooth and efficient operation. Here is what you need to know about the accepted materials and packaging requirements.
Accepted materials: Fridges, stoves, freezers, dishwashers, and various other appliances. Electronic waste; including TVs, computer monitors, hard drives, and gaming consoles. Furniture; such as couches, chairs, mattresses, and more. Small household machinery; provided they are emptied of gas and oil. Construction, demolition, and renovation waste; including items like gypsum board, wood, windows, and doors. Household hazardous waste; encompassing items like batteries, paint, light bulbs, and more. Car and truck tires (with specific limitations). Brush/branches and yard waste. Ashes, glass (sorted), cardboard, paper, and metal.
Packaging requirements: Materials should be boxed, bagged, or bundled for easy unloading and should weigh less than 30 lbs. Fluorescent bulbs should be packaged responsibly, with a limit of 40 large bulbs per resident.
Items not accepted: Gas or oil tanks, regular curbside waste, car parts, black bags, unsanitary and biomedical waste.
It is important to note that the service is strictly for residents, commercial waste or regular curbside household waste will not be accepted. For household waste, the Mobile Eco-Depot describes responsible recycling tips for specific materials:
For pizza boxes, remove any crusts or leftover cheese, place the box in the blue recyclables bag and the paper in the clear garbage bag. Food containers should be empty and metal and plastic containers rinsed with cold water. If there is no leakage risk, they are clean enough for recycling. For aluminum, scrape off excess food and fold or crumple the dirty side in. Residents are also advised to use clear garbage bags for specific waste types collected every second week, including: household waste like cat litter, vacuum bags, toys, clothing, and more. Bathroom waste, such as wipes, cotton balls, and disposable razors. Kitchen waste, including chip bags, plastic wrap, and more. For items like diapers and pet waste, it is preferred that they go in a clear garbage bag, however, on weeks when clear garbage bags are not collected, they can be placed in the green organics bag.
The green bag is reserved for organics, collected weekly. Accepted items include food scraps, yard waste, and more. Residents can also use orange and paper bags for yard waste. Additionally, compostable bags may be used for organics curbside if they are certified under specific standards and have the appropriate logos.
The Mobile Eco-Depot, managed by Eco360, is a service for residents of Westmorland and Albert Counties. By adhering to the guidelines, residents can contribute to sustainable waste management practices in the region. This initiative not only offers convenience but also promotes responsible recycling, helping reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal. If you are a Tantramar resident with unwanted items, mark your calendar for the next Mobile Eco-Depot event on November 7 and 8, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and play your part in keeping our community clean.
