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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 (50 lbs)
    • 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 item collection

We regularly provide a large item collection service for items that are too big or heavy for our regular curbside collection service. The cost is $30 for the first item and $10 for each additional item, except for mattresses and box springs. Mattresses and box springs are $30 each and do not count as a first item for qualifying for the reduced rate.

You can make arrangements for a large item pickup online, or by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1865. You need to book the large article pickup by 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday before the large item 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 item 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 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 item collection days in 2021 are:

  • April 26 (cut off date for booking is April 22 at 4:30 p.m.)
  • May 17 (cut off date for booking is May 13 at 4:30 p.m.)
  • June 28 (cut off date for booking is June 24 at 4:30 p.m.)
  • July 26 (cut off date for booking is July 22 at 4:30 p.m.)
  • August 23 (cut off date for booking is August 19 at 4:30 p.m.)
  • September 27 (cut off date for booking is September 23 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 $125 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 $24 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 is a $7 charge for the first 100 kg, then a charge of $95 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 item 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 item pickup days for a fee or you can take them to the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd., where you will be charged $24 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 item 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 $24 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.

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Peterborough, ON

K9H 3R9

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