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 |
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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.
Curbside: unacceptable items
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Large item collection |
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We 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. Large Item Pickup is available monthly from April to September. Book your large item pickup online. For further information contact 705-742-7777 ext. 1657. We define large items as items weighing more than 23 kg (50 lbs) and longer than 1 m (3 ft).
The six large item collection days in 2023 are:
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Frequently asked questions |
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Changes to garbage collection program, fall 2023
As part of the City's Waste Management Master Plan Update, changes to the residential garbage collection program were approved by City Council on February 27, 2023.
- A weekly household organic waste (Green Bin) collection program, expected to start October 31, 2023
- Along with the Green Bin program, clear garbage bags will be required for curbside collection of garbage
- With the introduction of weekly Green Bin collection alongside weekly Blue Bin (recycling) collection, changing to every-other-week garbage collection since much of the waste generated will be diverted through the Green Bin and Blue Bin waste collection
- Collection day changes: some households and businesses will have their weekly collection day change starting October 31, 2023. Notices are being delivered to affected households and businesses. You can also search our interactive map by address to confirm your collection day
Commonly asked questions
Why does the City of Peterborough want to implement a clear bag program? |
The primary reason for implementing a clear bag (garbage) collection program revolves around worker safety and protecting the collector from cutting themselves on sharp objects such as broken glass or needles.
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Does the use of clear bags for garbage increase the diversion of waste from landfill? |
Yes. In fact, waste audits undertaken over the past two years in the City of Peterborough have illustrated that approximately 8–10% of residential garbage actually contains items that should presently be placed in a blue box for curbside recycling. To date, over 2 million Canadian households now participate in clear bag garbage collection programs and the municipal waste diversion achievements are typically over 55%, some as high as 80% (e.g. Markham). |
What will be accepted in the Green Bin |
Food waste
Paper waste
Other materials
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What will not be accepted in the Green Bin |
The following items can not be processed at our organics facility and should be disposed of in the garbage or recycling:
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What about my privacy and items I don’t want anybody to see? |
The City will include a “privacy bag” allowance whereby you will be able to place one smaller (kitchen catcher size) bag within each larger clear bag. This provides an adequate method to shield items. Key items that you may choose to place in a privacy bag include sanitary products, diapers, incontinence products, shredded financial information, medical / pharmaceutical objects (bags, tubes – not needles). |
Where does food waste go? |
The City is proceeding with the implementation of a source separated organics (food waste) collection program at the same time as the clear bag garbage collection program for all single family residences. All households will be receiving a green bin for the collection of their food waste as well. |
How do I get a Green Bin? |
Green Bins will be delivered to eligible properties beginning in September 2023 and is expected to be completed by mid-October. After receiving their Green Bins, residents are encouraged to wait until about October 20, 2023 before starting to use them to store food waste for collection. Informational material will be distributed with the Green Bin. The Green Bin for curbside collection is a heavy duty, pest-proof cart with a locking mechanism on the lid. |
How many clear bags will we be able to place at the curb on collection day? |
All residences presently receive two lifts per collection schedule (presently weekly). Every-other-week garbage collection will coincide with the weekly collection of recycling and organic waste. Households will receive collection of up to four clear garbage bags every two weeks. This is happening because so much material will be diverted through weekly Green Bin (organic waste) and weekly Blue Bin (recycling) collection that garbage amounts will be greatly reduced. |
Will my collection schedule change? |
To help make sure that waste collection services can continue to be delivered on schedule as the community continues to grow and to improve worker safety by balancing collection routes, weekly waste collection days will be changing for approximately 8,200 households starting October 31, 2023. Anyone affected by the date change will receive notices delivered to their home or business. You can search our interactive map by address to confirm your collection date. Collection calendars will be included in the information kits delivered to all single family residences between mid-September and mid-October. |
Won’t there be too much garbage to hold until collection day if garbage is collected every other week? |
With the introduction of the weekly Green Bin (organic waste) collection alongside weekly Blue Bin (recycling) collection, the amount of garbage for landfill will be greatly reduced. Food waste will be put out weekly through the Green Bin program. The implementation of Green Bin programs in other communities has shown that there’s no longer a need for weekly garbage collection. |
When does this program start? |
The City is working towards the launch of this program for late October 2023. |
Who will be included in this program to use clear garbage bags? |
Anyone who presently receives curbside garbage collection will be required to use clear bags. This includes single family households, townhouses, row houses, businesses and places of worship. |
Do I have to participate in this program and use clear bags for garbage placed at the curb? |
Yes, the City is in the process of updating the waste management collection bylaw. It will be mandatory, effective October 31, 2023, that only large clear bags placed curbside by single family households will be collected. |
As a resident, I am already diverting as much material from the garbage as I can, why do I have to do this? |
As a resident already doing the best you can, congratulations, you are an Environmental Ambassador of our community, please keep it up – this program transition should be very seamless for you. The intent is to use clear bags as a tool to assist to encourage residents that presently do not recycle or only choose to recycle a little bit of material, to work diligently to divert more material from the garbage stream. |
My blue boxes are already full, what do I do? |
There is no limit to the number of blue boxes residents can place at the curb. Blue boxes continue to be sold at the subsidized rate of $8 per box – either the tall box for container items or wider box for paper items, and the smaller box with handle for accessibility at $5. Blue boxes can be purchased at the following locations:
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Will local retailers offer clear bags in their stores? |
Yes. In fact, as all of the townships within the County of Peterborough have already transitioned to a clear bag garbage collection program, clear bags should be readily available now. However, the City is interacting closely with local retailers and their head offices, and companies that supply plastic bags to local stores to ensure that stores offer appropriate product and load up on adequate supplies to meet the community demand. |
Do clear plastic bags cost more than opaque (black) plastic bags? |
No, the costs of plastic garbage bags should be the same. Both clear plastic and opaque (black) plastic bags are manufactured from the same type of plastic resin – typically linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film. The only difference between the bags is that dyes (colouring) would have been added to colour the bag. From a sales perspective, the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) should be equal (if not less) between the two products. Price differences may occur based on individual bag sizes, package counts, closure type (e.g. drawstring, easy-tie), brand name vs. private label/no-name. |
What should I do with my leftover opaque garbage bags? |
The City will provide notice of the upcoming change several months in advance of the program implementation. Ideally, residents will be able to use them up before the program begins. |
How do I get more information on this program? |
The City will be sending information on the changes to garbage collection and the new organics collection program to all households through the mail well ahead of the changes. Information will be posted on the City website with key, timely information to assist all residents. Information will be shared through local media (e.g. radio, television, newspaper, online news outlets) as well as through roadside display boards and social media channels to support awareness. To kick off the program, informational material will be distributed along with Green Bins to all eligible properties starting in September. Residents are welcome to call the City Waste Management Division during regular business hours at 705-742-7777 ext. 1657. |
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.