Garbage

Curbside garbage collection takes place weekly, usually on the same day each week, except for on holidays.

If we missed your garbage, let us know by completing our online form

Curbside collection set out instructions

We accept up to two garbage lifts – bags, cans or bulky items that meet the requirements for acceptable lifts – each week for household curbside collection.

Please ensure your garbage is at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day, but not before 6 p.m. the preceding day
Each household can put out up to two garbage “lifts” each week
- An acceptable “lift” for a garbage bag is a plastic garbage bag that's no larger than 89 cm (26 in) by 90 cm (36 in) and weighs no more than 22 kg (50 lbs)
- An acceptable “lift” for a garbage can is a garbage can that's no larger than 125 L (30 gallons) and weighs no more than 22 kg (50lbs)
- For bulky items, an acceptable “lift” is no longer than 1 m (3 ft) and weighs no more than 22 kg (50 lbs)
For commercial properties, you can put out up to four containers per week
The collection limits are doubled for the week after Christmas
Any bags over the limit are tagged and left behind
Overflowing garbage cans don't meet the definition of one lift
Remove bungee cords or bricks that are holding down your garbage before collection
If your garbage isn't collected by 8 p.m. on your collection day, please remove it from the curbside

Curbside unacceptable items

Construction and renovation materials, including shingles, drywall, tiles, concrete, bricks and wood waste
Household Hazardous Waste
Tires and automotive parts

Large article collection

We regularly provide a large article collection service for items that are too big or heavy for our regular curbside collection service. The cost is $20 for the first item and $5 for each additional item, except for mattresses and box springs. Mattresses and box springs are $20 each and do not count as a first item for qualifying for the reduced rate.

You can make arrangements for a large article pickup online, in person at the Public Works Yard at 182 Townsend St., or at City Hall at 500 George St. N. You need to book the large article pickup by 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday before the large article pickup collection date

We define large items as items weighing more than 23 kg (50 lbs) and longer than 1 m (3 ft).

Complete list of accepted items for large article collection service

Air conditioner*
Air hockey table
Area rug/carpet/underpad (rolled)
Bath tub
BBQ (no propane tanks)
Bicycle
Box spring/bed frame
Chair (any type)
Change table
Chesterfield (sectionals – each piece counts as one item)
Crib
Cushion/vinyl flooring (rolled)
Dehumidifier*
Desk
Dishwasher
Dresser
Dryer
Entertainment centre
Exercise equipment
Exhaust hood
Filing cabinet
Floor lamp
Freezer*
Furnace
Garden tools
Golf cart
Humidifier
Ironing board
Ladder
Laundry tub
Lawn mower
Lounge chair
Love-seat
Mattress (any size)
Metal storm/screen door
Microwave
Ottoman
Outdoor furniture (each piece = 1 item)
Packing/Steamer trunk
Patio umbrella
Piano/organ
Planter
Pool cover
Refrigerator*
Shower stall
Sink
Snow blower
Stove
Swing set
Table (any size)
Toilet (tank + stool = 1 item)
Washing machine
Water heater (domestic)
Wood stove

* A licensed technician must remove the Freon from these items before collection. Most appliance dealers offer this service for a fee. We won't collect these appliances unless they bear this certification. Items still containing Freon can't be dropped off at the landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., for a fee of $20 per item, which includes Freon removal.

Items we don't accept for large article collection

Televisions, computers, electronics (take to Household Hazardous Waste Depot)
Freon items without certification that the Freon has been removed
Fluorescent Tubes, propane tanks (take to Household Hazardous Waste Depot)
Construction and demolition waste
Tires or other automobile parts
Fuel tanks, 45-gallon drums
Metal garage doors
Mirrors, windows
Stones, blocks, bricks, aggregate
Roofing materials and eavestroughing
Fluorescent light bulbs (take to Household Hazardous Waste Depot)
Cupboards, cabinets, wooden doors
Above ground pools
Fencing (wood or wire), fence stakes or posts
Outdoor storage sheds, dog houses
Hot tubs

The six large article collection days in 2020 are:

April 27 (cut off date for booking is April 23 at 4:30 p.m.)
May 25 (cut off date for booking is May 21 at 4:30 p.m.)
June 29 (cut off date for booking is June 25 at 4:30 p.m.)
July 27 (cut off date for booking is July 23 at 4:30 p.m.)
August 24 (cut off date for booking is August 20 at 4:30 p.m.)
September 28 (cut off date for booking is September 24 at 4:30 p.m.)

Frequently asked questions

How do I dispose of my old television?

We don't pick up televisions during large article collection or the regular curbside collection. You can take televisions to our Household Hazardous Waste depot at no charge.

How do I dispose of drywall?

We don't accept drywall through curbside collection. You can take your drywall to the landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., for $95 per tonne.

Where do I dispose of my old fridge, freezer, air conditioner or water cooler?

We accept these items on large article collection days as along as they are tagged by a licensed technician to certify that the Freon has been removed before the pickup. Otherwise, you can take these items directly to the landfill site, 1260 Bensfort Rd., where you will be charged $20 per item for the Freon removal.

Where can I take scrap metal?

You can take scrap metal to the public drop-off depot for recycling at the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. There's no charge for the first 100 kg, then we charge $45 per tonne for scrap metal for quantities greater than 100 kg.

How can I dispose of Asbestos?

We don't accept Asbestos through curbside collection. You need to get pre-approval before taking it to the landfill. Please call 705-742-7777 ext. 2150 at least 24 hours before disposal to get pre-approval. Fees will apply.

How do I dispose of hangers?

You can put plastic hangers in your regular garbage for curbside collection. You can also take them to the public drop-off for recycling at the landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd. Fees may apply at the landfill.

Where can I take my old lawnmower or boat?

You can take lawnmowers, boats and other large metal items to the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. for recycling in the scrap metal bin. Fees may apply.

How do I dispose of my old mattress?

We only pick up mattresses and other large pieces of furniture through curbside collection on large article collection days.

How do I dispose of my old fridge or freezer?

These items, as well as other large appliances, can be picked up on our large article pickup days for a fee or you can take them to the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd., where you will be charged $20 per item for items containing Freon.

Where do I dispose of my old air conditioner or water cooler?

For a fee, we can pick them up through curbside collection on large article pickup days as long as the items are tagged by a licensed technician to certify that the Freon has been removed before pickup. You can also take them directly to the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. where a charge of $20 per item will apply for items containing Freon.

My neighbour has a mattress/chair/couch/appliance sitting at the curb. What can I do about it?

Please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1891 to report large articles stored at the curbside.

How do I dispose of my old microwave?

You can take your old microwave to the drop-off depot at the landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd. Fees may apply.

How do I get rid of my old computer monitor?

You can take old computer monitors to the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off depot at 400 Pido Rd.

Curbside collection issues

If your garbage isn't collected or if you have other issues with curbside collection, please contact Public Works at 705-745-1386.