Taking out the trash in Canada is something you have to learn and get accustomed to. Of course, I don't know that the trash system is the same anywhere else in Canada, but that goes for all of my posts. In my mind, the way it is here in Truro, Nova Scotia, it's like that in the other provinces.
I did find that Nova Scotia has a pretty high recycling rate compared to the rest of the country, so that explains the need for so many separate trash cans.
Picture of our six trash cans. Six trash cans might seem excessive but there's a reason for each of them.
The three blue ones are for recycling, paper in one and plastic/aluminum in the other two. They have to be separate and in clear blue bags (not necessarily in separate garbage cans, that's just how we do it, but definitely in separate clear blue bags). The county picks up recycling every two weeks so if you miss it one week (like we did when visiting Florida) you're left with a month's worth of paper and plastic!
The same goes for the regular trash and compost. The weeks alternate between trash/compost and recycling - this week garbage and compost, next week recycling, etc.
So the large light green trash can (provided by the county) is for compost waste, food only. (Thanks Colchester!)
The two trash cans on the right are for our regular trash.
It turns out, most things can be recycled or composted, hence why we only need an average of one regular trash can/week.
Of course we recycled when we lived in Sarasota, but it wasn't as intense as it is here. The county here only allows six trash bags/visit (so twelve in total for the month) and all but two have to be in clear bags (one bag/pickup week can be black). They mean business!
Link to Truro's trash schedule. http://www.truro.ca/collection-schedules.html
If you have any questions or comments about moving or about Canada or things in general or have a suggestion on where to visit next, feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
