Windsor Expands Underground Waste and Recycling Stations in City Parks
The City of Windsor is significantly expanding its network of underground waste and recycling stations throughout municipal parks, with officials now seeking direct input from residents about where these innovative receptacles should be placed.
Resident Input Sought for Strategic Placement
This week, municipal authorities announced that Windsor's existing complement of more than 750 garbage and recycling "silos" will be growing substantially. The city is actively asking residents to help identify high-traffic locations that would benefit most from these specialized receptacles, which extend deep into the ground and can hold significantly more waste than traditional above-ground trash cans.
Residents can provide their input by completing an online survey available at the city's official website until February 28. The survey represents a direct opportunity for community members to influence how Windsor manages waste in its public green spaces.
Mayor Highlights Windsor's Extensive Green Infrastructure
"The City of Windsor is proud of our public outdoor spaces," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens in an official news release. He emphasized the scale of Windsor's green infrastructure, noting that the municipality maintains more than 206 parks, more than 174 kilometres of multi-use trails, and more than 2,520 acres of green space throughout the city.
"That's a lot of area for our city teams to maintain and keep looking their best," Dilkens continued. "I'm pleased to be able to support the installation of new garbage and recycling silos that will go a long way towards reducing overflow, minimizing the impacts of waste, and keeping our parks looking great all year long."
Substantial Capacity and Efficiency Advantages
Designed specifically for high-use park spaces, these specialized garbage and recycling silos are engineered to dramatically reduce overflow issues by holding substantially more refuse than standard above-ground containers. According to city specifications, each silo has a capacity of approximately four cubic yards, or three cubic metres—equivalent to the capacity of more than 33 standard garbage cans combined.
"Depending on location and usage, a standard park garbage can may need to be emptied multiple times per day, and all standard park garbage cans are emptied at least once every three days as part of our city-wide program," explained municipal representatives.
Reduced Collection Frequency and Environmental Benefits
The underground design offers substantial operational advantages. Collection frequency with the deep silos is based entirely on usage patterns. In some high-traffic areas, they require servicing just four or five times per year, while low-traffic sites might need emptying only once annually—a dramatic reduction compared to traditional waste collection schedules.
These innovative receptacles are installed approximately five feet (1.5 metres) below ground level and extend about three feet (0.91 metres) above ground. With their lids included, each complete unit measures approximately nine feet (2.74 metres) in total length.
Design Features and Installation Requirements
The silo design provides multiple environmental benefits, including minimized odours, reduced windblown litter, decreased wildlife interference, and more efficient waste collection processes. To empty a silo, specialized trucks equipped with cranes remove the liner and deposit the contents directly into waste collection vehicles.
Installation does require specific conditions: the silos can only be placed in grass or soil locations with adequate truck access for emptying and servicing operations. The city specifically wants them installed in high-use areas, including:
- Playgrounds and recreational areas
- Picnic sites and gathering spaces
- Splash pads and water features
- Sports courts and athletic fields
- Riverfront areas and scenic locations
- Along multi-use trails and walking paths
Residents with any park-related litter or waste collection concerns can report issues directly through the city's 311 service system. This expansion represents Windsor's continued commitment to innovative waste management solutions that serve both environmental and community needs.
