Notes & News from the Office


OFFICE NEWS LETTERS:

      Summer  -  July, 2021


After hours mainteinance emergency number. 1-877-858-1110, press 4.


Notice from Norris Crescent Board of Directors
Click here for more information.


COVID-19 INFORMATION


During these unprecedented times our Coop is providing information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario and Toronto.

Click here here for the latest information in Ontario.

Please read these notifications and follow the guidelines provided.
The Coop will provide further information when it becomes available.

Toronto is in state of a second lockdown effective November 23rd for next 28 days!
Depending on conditions this date may be extended.

Important measures with regards to Maintenance/Cleaning and Office Protocol effective immediately.

Subsequently, please click here for more information on what must be done by Members and Staff.


spacerNorris
Norris website wins the 2017, 2018 and 2020 Best Co-op Website Award!

And also wins the 2017 and 2020 Garden Award!


spacergarbage

spacerCity to get Torontonians to stop filling recycling bins with garbage:

Many Torontonians are confused about what goes in the recycling bin and what goes in the garbage can, and that confusion costs the city millions of dollars each year! So a project has been launched that has inspectors going through recycling bins to catch unwanted material.

Toronto’s waste management department, 25 per cent of what's collected from recycling bins doesn't belong there.

spacer So the City has hired a to visually inspect what's inside your blue bin.

They'll go and lift the lid and look inside and look for contaminants. If we find contaminants, we pull the bin back. We leave a sticker on it, we let the homeowners know that there's something in there, and we would ask them to remove it and put it in the garbage.

Probably the number one thing we find in the recycling are coffee cups. But coffee cups are not the only trash Torontonians fail to separate from their recycling. "Old frying pans, auto parts, black garbage bags. It's important for everyone to know how to recycle properly.

Right now, there are no penalties if they find the wrong items in your recycling. But that could change. However, in the future it's likely tickets will be issued.

Web Link link


EXPIRING FEDERAL SUBSIDIES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS:

Tens of thousands of co-op members are still in danger of losing their affordable co-op homes. But there is real hope for a solution now. We need to make sure that happens. Ask your MP for action on co-op housing!  Web Link link


LAUNDRY MACHINES & LAUNDRY CARDS:

Coinamatic installed new card activated, electronically controlled washers and dryers as well as a Reload Kiosk that is in Laundry Room of Building 21.

Please contact the Office (in person, by phone or email) to request a new Laundry Card (first one is at no charge). Each unit will be assigned a new card (they are all numbered) by the Office.

Norris
Larger Viewlink

Important Information:

  • The laundry machines activated with the laundry card and the cost of a wash or dry is deducted from the card balance.
  • You can check the balance of your laundry card by placing it in the cardholder at the Reload Kiosk.
  • A RELOAD KIOSK is a device used to purchase and transfer value to the laundry card
  • Operating instructions for Reload Kiosk are on the Reload Kiosks.
  • You are able to use cash, debit or credit card to load your card. The cost is $1.75.
  • You must treat your card like cash as it contains value. If the card is lost - you lose not only the card but the value of the card.
  • If you have any questions regarding the card, please contact Customer Care Center at 1-800-561-1972 or email customercare@coinamatic.com
  • Occasionally, a card might become defective and fail to operate. If this happens please contact Customer Care Centre at 1-800-561-1972, which is available 24/7
  • If a machine deducts value from your laundry card but does not provide the intended service, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-561-1971 to report the machine malfunction and request a machine malfunction refund.


Asbestos:

Today, asbestos remains in many homes built between 1930 and the late 1970s, and in many primary and secondary schools across the country. When asbestos hazards aren't handled properly can lead to serious health risks.

Due to the fact that Norris Co-op was built in the 1940's the builders took advantage of the material as it has many desirable qualities, including impressive resistance to heat, flame, electricity and chemicals.

In the decades that followed, health experts found increasing evidence that breathing airborne asbestos can cause a variety of serious lung conditions, including several cancers.

The Co-op, and management, has implimented a wide range of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of it's members. These measures include an Asbestos Management Plan and Annual Asbestos Reassessment conducted by an independant firm specializing in issues related to asbestos.

Please remember to contact staff BEFORE making any renovations and/or repairs for details on guidlines and the proper proceedures that may be required. Thank you.

For more information on asbestos you may download this Fact Sheet. (PDF)

You may also review this asbestos FAQ Sheet published by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association. (PDF)


Recycle GARBAGE & WASTE DISPOSAL    


- - NORRIS CO-OP RULES & GUIDELINES - -

      Pick-Up Schedule:

  • Organic waste will be picked up every Tuesday.
    (Please do not put organics in any other container, such as garbage or recycling, as it will not be picked up every week.)
  • Household garbage and Recycling will be picked up every alternate Tuesday.
  • Yard waste will begin on March 15th and will be picked up every alternate Tuesday.
  • Electronics and oversize items may be placed by the curb every Tuesday for pickup.

NOTE:
Large bulk items such chesterfields and couches will also be picked up on Tuesday but will require you to contact the City prior to pickup. Call 311

The pickup schedule is available on the City of Toronto website. CLICK for a print copy.


Green Bin Guidepdf     Blue Bin Guidepdf


      Do’s & Don’ts:


Do:

  • Sort your waste as per the guidelines below. Garbage into garbage containers, Organic waste in green bins. Recycling in blue bins, etc.
  • Be sure secure your ‘garbage’ properly so that paper, tins, cups, newspapers etc. so they do not fly about in the wind and making a mess for everyone.
  • Donate and/or reuse whenever possible.
  • Dispose of hazardous waste properly. (See information below.)
  • Flatten and tie cardboard boxes. Failure to do so fills the container with ‘empty space’ and prevents others from using the recycling bin.

Don’t:

  • DO NOT place organic waste in recycling and/or garbage bins. Remember, recycling and garbage will only be picked up every alternate Tuesday. If you put it in Garbage the organics will sit and rot for 2 weeks!
  • DO NOT place any ‘garbage’ of any kind at the back of the building.
  • DO NOT over fill the bins! (The City allows for extra clear bags for recycling at no charge and extra block garbage bags at a nominal cost – see below.)   ††
  • DO NOT pour any hazardous waste down the drain, toilet or storm sewers

      ††   If everything is sorted properly the amount(s) there will be a significant reduction in the amount
            that needs to be placed in the Garbage bin
.




IMPORTANT NOTES & FACTS:

Organic Waste:
Food scraps like apple cores, eggshells or expired leftovers belong in your Green Bin, not your Blue Bin.

Containers with Food:
You have to empty and rinse before you recycle. When you don’t, the residue from items like jars and take-out containers get soaked up by paper and can ruin large batches of otherwise good recyclables.
Please empty and rinse food containers before tossing them in your Blue Bin and put any food scraps in your Green Bin.

Textiles:
Old clothes, shoes, blankets, and curtains don’t belong in the Blue Bin. They can get caught in sorting machines, damage equipment and cause workplace injuries at the recycling facility. Instead, donate items that are in good condition to not-for-profit agencies. See Below
If your items can’t be donated, put them in the Garbage.

VHS Tapes:
VHS tapes, chains, hoses and electrical cords don’t go in your Blue Bin.
They can get tangled in sorting machines, damage equipment and cause workplace injuries at the recycling facility.
Instead, donate unwanted VHS tapes or check your local electronics store’s recycling program. And throw unwanted cords, hoses and cables in your Garbage.

Coffee Cups:
Disposable paper coffee cups are lined with plastic or wax and, unfortunately, can’t be recycled at this time. So, please place coffee cups in the Garbage. Not the Blue Bin.
Black plastic coffee lids (and black plastic of any kind) also can’t be recycled and should go in the Garbage.
Non-black plastic lids and paper sleeves should be removed and placed in the Blue Bin.




- - CITY OF TORONTO RULES & GUIDELINES - -


      OVERVIEW:

The aim and goal of the City of Toronto’s waste management program is to significantly reduce amount of unwanted materials that were ending up in landfills and/or incinerators. Such traditional methods of ‘garbage disposal’ were not only expensive to operate on a long-term basis they were inefficient and resulted in significant damage to the environment. To address these concerns cities across Canada have initiated by-laws and programs to address these issues. However, however comprehensive these programs may be it relies people like us to follow a few simple rules and guidelines in disposing of unwanted materials.


In order for the program to work all unwanted materials MUST be separated into what is Garbage, Recycling and Organics. Further, there is Yard waste, Hazardous waste, unwanted Electronics and Oversize items such as couches, appliances, barbecues ( no propane tanks ), bed frames etc. Again, ALL RESIDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SEPARATE THEIR WASTE MATERIALS AS PER THE FOLLOWING.


      RECYCLING: (Blue Bin)
Recyclable materials are materials that can be reprocessed into new materials. For example used paper can be converted into new paper. The same can be said for cans, bottles and many plastics. VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs do not go in your Blue Bin. Cardboard boxes may be placed beside your blue bin. However, please ensure that they are flattened and tied.


      ORGANICS: (Green Bin)
Almost 50% (by weight) of your household garbage is organic material - material that can be processed into compost for use on parklands and gardens instead of being sent to landfill. Organic materials would include such things as fruit and vegetables scraps, paper towels, coffee grinds, etc.

Put excess material in a see-through bag and place it beside the Green Bin (no special bag is required as long as it's see-through. There is no item limit for Green Bin organics, provided each item weighs no more than 20 kg (about 44 lbs.).


      GARBAGE: (Grey Bin)
Garbage is what is left over when items cannot be recycled or reused. The City sends it to landfill for disposal. Garbage would include aluminum foil, food wrap, potato chip bags; waxed paper, waxed cardboard and clothes; small appliances, scrap metal coat hangers, pots, pans Plastic: toys and make-up jars; snack food bags, cling wrap or cellophane, cereal liners or candy bar wrappers.

If you have more garbage than will fit in your bin, you can leave extra garbage bags beside the Garbage Bin for collection. To expect collection of extra garbage bags, you must attach a City-issued bag tag to each garbage bag. Garbage bag tags can be purchased for $3.29 each at your local Canadian Tire store.


      HAZARDOUS WASTE: ((Hazardous Waste WILL NOT be collected with your garbage or recyclables.)
Hazardous waste includes any corrosive, flammable, explosive or poisonous products or materials such as motor oil, paints, solvents, window, oven & drain cleaners, batteries and propane tanks. Contact the City of Toronto help-line at 311 for more information.

      NOTE: Do not pour motor oil, paints or solvents down your drain or into sewers.



      ELECTRONIC WASTE: (The City no longer distributes E-waste containers.)
Electronic waste is collected curbside. In addition, items may be dropped off at several of our Drop-off Depots. There is no charge to dispose of electronic waste.

For computers and related components that are in working condition, visit the ReUseIt page on the City’s Website (City Links are listed below.) for reuse ideas and a list of charities and organizations that accept donations.


      OVERSIZE ITEMS:
      (Please note that the bulky item collection crews work independently from the garbage bin collection crews.)

These items are larger than 1.2 metres (4 ft.) in any one dimension or weigh more than 20 Kgs (44 Lbs.). Examples would be sofas, chairs, wooden furniture, beds, mattress, appliances, fridge, freezers. ovens etc.

      NOTE:
      Large metal items should be dismantled, bundled and/or tied. Remove doors from refrigerators,
      oven and other appliances. Non-metal parts, such as bicycle seats, go in your Garbage Bin.


      YARD WASTE:
Compost, yard waste and lawns are all organic substances, and they all factor "organically" into the city's waste reduction program. Examples of organics include the grass on your lawn, tree leaves, plant roots, stems, blooms and leaves from your garden flowers, fruit or vegetable plantings, hedge or shrub trimmings, and compost itself.



      ALTERNATIVES:

Before you throw it out please keep in mind that many items may be reused or donated.

Fred Victor Salvation Army Goodwill

Not-for-profit groups use donations in various ways. Such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill, re-sell the clothing and household items to provide support and/or employment for those in need and to fund their activities and research. Other charitable groups, such as the Furniture Bank shelters or hostels, such as Fred Victor Mission, distribute your donations directly to their clients and those in need.

Benefits of borrowing, repairing and reusing:

  • Reuse saves money, resources, energy and landfill space
  • Reuse creates local jobs and keeps resources in our local economy.
  • Reused items are more affordable, unique and can even be fun to shop for.