What are we doing?
We are improving Ottawa’s streetscape. New benches and new waste/recycling containers – blue bin, black bin and garbage – will be installed city-wide over the next few years, replacing the existing mix of makes and models. The program will bring greater comfort for residents and visitors, increased waste diversion and a more common look and feel.
Most areas will benefit from a standard bench and a garbage/recycling bin that has advertising on it. The furniture is supplied, serviced and managed by an external company. Bins and benches in the downtown core, on traditional mainstreets, as well as in Ottawa’s Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) will stay free from advertising. They will also look different. The City is responsible for providing and maintaining them.
Why are we doing what we are doing?
The City’s decisions regarding street-furniture are based on social, functional, visual, financial and operational considerations. All bins and benches must comply with the guidelines specified in the Council-approved ISFP report.
Social
Ottawa’s bins and benches provide essential services to residents and visitors. We aim to deliver the best service possible for an ageing and diverse population. The Integrated Street Furniture Program follows municipal and provincial accessibility rules and complements Ottawa’s Older Adult Action Plan.
Functional
With the new garbage/recycling bins, we are aiming to increase waste diversion while minimizing the impulse to litter. Similar to the benches, the bins need to withstand Ottawa’s weather conditions. That is why we are testing their durability over the winter.
Visual
We are striving to give the City’s street furniture a more consistent look and feel. This will improve Ottawa’s streetscape, while reflecting the character of individual areas. Beautification programs also enhance safety and security.
Financial
The Integrated Street Furniture Program generates revenue through advertising on bins in most areas within the city limits. The City will use this money to purchase high quality, low maintenance street furniture for those areas where ads on bins are not allowed.
Operational
An inventory of bins and benches is easier to manage and maintain. This has an impact on costs and resources. In addition, there are our specific, mostly winter-related needs. For example, waste collection crews need to be able to access the materials from the top of a bin, since doors can be blocked by snow and ice build-up.