The 311 Call Centre has started taking calls from Windsor residents who have large items for pickup.
The first pickup date is on June 2 in Zone 1. Zone 2 pickup is a week later on June 9, and every Friday after that for each zone. There will be a monthly pick up for each section of the city.
Anne Marie Albidone, manager of environmental services with the City of Windsor, says the city will take large items like couches, but there's a list of things it can not pick up.
"Things like a fridge, washer, dryer, stove; those kinds of things we're not going to take curbside," she says. "Electronics, they can be brought free to our public drop off."
There is a full list of items the city will not pick up on the collection calendar, and she suggests calling charities across the city for those items. Even if it is something the city can pick up, Albidone recommends calling around first since there are some charities that could use used furniture that is still in good condition.
There is a $20 per item cost to pick up, and a limit on how many items city workers will take -- just two a month. However, there is no limit on how many pickups residents can request throughout the year.
Crews will not accept payment during pickup. Residents can pay for it by using a credit card when they call 311 or make a cash or debit payment at a Customer Care Centre.
Albidone also says residents should keep in mind the city has to organize pickup throughout a large area, so the cutoff for requests is one week in advance of pickup.
Windsor City Council created the bulk furniture collection system after a 30-year hiatus during its 2017 budget deliberations. It is hoped the service will discourage illegal dumping.
