Spring cleaning during COVID-19!

[guest]

Since so many of us are staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a great time to get a little spring cleaning done. But how do you do that and still keep yourself and everyone else safe. We’re offering a few tips.

Spring cleaning

• GLAD Cleaning the Capital Spring Campaign activities will be delayed until further notice
• Stay home and restrict all non-essential activities
• Limit cleaning projects to your own property
• Only members of the same household should be involved, don’t get together with friends or neighbours
• Wear protective material on your hands such as gloves or plastic bags
• Use a picker if available to avoid using hands
• Collect litter into plastic bags and tie up when filled
• Put filled litter bags into your household waste on collection day
• Do not touch your face at any time during cleaning
• Wash your hands immediately following cleaning
• Never touch a needle with your hands. Follow safe pickup procedures, or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) for assistance
• If you live in a multi-unit dwelling, do not participate in any outdoor cleaning unless physical distancing of 2 meters can be maintained at all times
• If you have traveled recently or are ill, remain inside. You should not be participating in outside activities where there is a chance you may come in contact with someone else.
• If you’re over 70 you should self-isolate and not participate in any outdoor cleaning activities

Donation bins

• Don’t take items to donation bins
• Most charities are not picking up donations from those bins, so after a day or two, your dropped off items start to go moldy and are no longer able to be considered as donatable items
• Set aside your items somewhere on your property for a later date

Large or bulky items

• Don’t dispose of large or bulky items like furniture, mattresses or couches. This allows collection operators to do their job efficiently and maximize their physical distancing so they can stay safe while they continue providing this essential service for you.

Leaf and yard waste

• Leave the leaves alone. It’s good for pollinators.
• Many native bees or are just waking up from their winter rest. Bees and other beneficial insects spend the winter in leaf litter and dead plant stems. Give them until late spring to emerge from their slumber before you clean up your yard. While you’re waiting, you may want to look into other pollinator-friendly gardening tips from the Canadian Wildlife Federation or Wild Pollinator Partners.
• Stagger your leaf and yard waste material by not setting out more than 2 or 3 bags per week

Household Hazardous Waste

• Do not dispose of hazardous material in your garbage.
• Safely store them until a scheduled hazardous waste depot has been scheduled.
• Visit ottawa.ca/hhw for updates on dates and locations.

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