Paid Duty Officers at EnviroDepot this Weekend
Woodstock – The City will be bringing in paid duty officers to help address concerns the Woodstock’s EnviroDepot starting this Saturday. The waste diversion facility at 944 James St. allows Woodstock residents to get rid of items they no longer need and divert them from the landfill. However, unlike a full landfill, only certain types of materials are accepted.
“Misuse and unacceptable behaviour has been on the rise at the EnviroDepot which is a concern,” said Dan Locke, Director of Public Works for the City. “Some EnviroDepot users are blatantly disregarding what is and isn’t permitted and become abusive when staff approach them about following the rules.”
Paid duty officers will be on site from time to time starting this Saturday to provide support to staff and try to encourage compliance among EnviroDepot users.
Those considering a trip to the EnviroDepot should know the following:
- Permitted items include:
- Up to five large items
- Construction and renovation materials
- Household hazardous waste
- Most household electronics
- Large appliances
- Some recyclables like Styrofoam
- No household garbage is allowed. All household garbage must be bagged and tagged and put at the curb for collection or taken to the Oxford County Waste Management facility at 384060 Salford Rd.
- No commercial vehicles are allowed (including rental trucks) – only personal vehicles. Businesses and commercial vehicles must use the landfill on Salford Road.
The service offers convenience for Woodstock residents by saving them a trip to the landfill, but that’s not the only advantage. Diverting materials from the landfill has environmental benefits and can save taxpayers’ money by reducing tipping fees and extending the lifespan of the landfill.
Because of the frequent abuse faced by EnviroDepot staff, the City is seeing high staff turnover for these important roles. Staff turnover can impact level of service and cost taxpayers money.
“There is a lot of information on the website about what is and isn’t allow so we are asking people to do a bit of homework before they show up and have to be turned away,” added Locke. “Our staff cares about providing services for the community and are here to help but we won’t tolerate abusive behaviours towards them.”
Find information about the EnviroDepot at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/envirodepot
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