Brock University students living in residential areas near campus are being reminded to be good neighbours when it comes to garbage day etiquette.

On windy days, litter and debris can be a problem when recyclables are blown from curbside recycling boxes. This issue results in both Brock and Niagara Region employees needing to inspect and clean up the area.

There are proactive steps that can be taken to reduce litter and blown containers on windy days:

• Set your Blue Box at the curb by 7 a.m. the morning of collection day, rather than the night before
• Flatten cardboard and other paper recyclables and stuff them together into one box
• Stack heavier recyclable items such as phone books and magazines on top of lighter material
• Keep recyclables below the rim of the recycling bin to prevent the wind from catching them
• Use multiple recycling bins for extra materials or use other rigid re-usable containers for extra recycling (containers must have handles and not exceed 3 ft X 2 ft)
• Stack blue and grey recycling bins on top of one another to prevent flying debris
• When the wind is really strong, residents may choose to not place their recycling at the curb and place it out the following week (there is no limit on the amount of recyclables that can be placed at the curb)
• If possible, bring recycling containers in from the curb soon after the material is collected

Students are also reminded that there’s a one-bag limit for garbage, but garbage tags may be purchased for $2 from many local stores to allow additional bags to be collected.

More information on waste collection and services in the Niagara Region can be found by calling the Waste Info Line at 905-356-4141 or 1-800-594-5542 or visit niagararegion.ca/waste