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Clean Streets Peterborough is the City’s response to comments and concerns heard from the community. Our goal is to create a clean City by working with the community to find ways to make waste management easier and more convenient so that household waste finds its way to its final destination as simply and efficiently as possible.
In June 2025, City Council approved a pilot Clean Streets Peterborough (MOCOM26-001) responding to community needs for a cleaner City.
What we are hearing
Our Solutions
Service Improvements
Challenges
Accountability
Clean Streets Peterborough is the City's coordinated response to community concerns about litter, illegal dumping, misuse of public waste bins, bulky items left in public spaces, overflowing bins, and waste accumulation in parks, trails, streets and neighbourhoods.
The initiative combines service improvements, public education, reporting tools, cleanup efforts and enforcement to make proper waste disposal easier while helping create cleaner, safer and more welcoming public spaces.
Clean Streets Peterborough includes several changes intended to reduce barriers to proper waste disposal and improve the cleanliness of public spaces.
Key improvements include:
These changes are intended to make it easier for people to use proper disposal options while still maintaining accountability for illegal dumping and improper waste set-out.
Use the City's Waste Wizard to find out whether an item belongs in garbage, recycling, Green Bin collection, large item pickup, the Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot, or another approved disposal option.
Residential curbside garbage collection takes place every other week (biweekly).
Collection schedules vary by address. Residents should use the City's Waste Wizard and Waste Management Calendar and Guide from the City's website to:
What are the residential garbage bag limits?
Garbage bag limits depend on your property's collection schedule.
Residential properties with biweekly garbage collection may set out up to eight clear garbage bags per unit every two weeks until December 31, 2027.
Multi-residential properties with weekly garbage collection may set out up to three clear bags per unit each week.
Garbage set out above the permitted limit may not be collected.
Residents are encouraged to use the Green Bin and recycling programs to reduce the amount of garbage they place at the curb.
Why did the City temporarily increase the residential garbage bag limit?
The temporary increase is intended to reduce barriers to proper waste disposal while the City evaluates longer-term waste management needs.
Community feedback identified challenges such as missed collection days, limited storage space, transportation barriers and mobility concerns. Residents are encouraged to continue using the recycling and Green Bin programs whenever possible. The temporary increase to the garbage bag limit provides additional flexibility for households when needed.
The temporary increase does not change the importance of waste diversion. Residents are encouraged to recycle and use the Green Bin to help reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfill
What kind of garbage bags can I use?
Residential garbage must be placed in clear bags. Black, green, blue, tinted or coloured garbage bags are not accepted.
Residents may place up to three smaller opaque privacy bags inside each larger clear garbage bag.
Each garbage bag must:
When should I put garbage at the curb?
Residential garbage should be placed at the curb:
If your garbage has not been collected by 8 p.m. on collection day, remove it from the curb. If you believe your collection was missed, report it through the City's Missed Collection reporting process or contact Public Works at 705-745-1386.
Green Bin collection takes place weekly for eligible residential properties.
Using the Green Bin reduces household garbage, supports waste diversion and helps keep food waste out of garbage bags and public waste bins.
How do I get, replace or repair a Green Bin?
Residents require a City-issued Green Bin to participate in the organics collection program.
As part of Clean Streets Peterborough, the City has reduced the replacement cost of Green Bins to make participation more affordable and accessible.
Residents should visit the City's Green Bin page for information about:
What if my garbage, Green Bin or yard waste was missed?
If your garbage, Green Bin or yard waste was missed, report it through the City's Missed Collection reporting process or contact Public Works at 705-745-1386.
Recycling collection is provided by Emterra Environmental. Missed recycling collection should be reported directly to Emterra at 1-888-597-1541.
How is waste collected at multi-residential buildings?
Waste collection varies depending on the size and type of property.
Multi-unit residential properties with six-units or less receive municipal curbside collection, while larger apartment buildings, condominiums and multi-residential complexes may receive private waste collection services.
Residents should contact their landlord, property manager or building superintendent for building-specific collection schedules and waste disposal requirements.
What should tenants do if they are unsure about waste rules?
Tenants should first speak with their landlord, property manager or building superintendent about the waste collection rules that apply to their building.
General information about garbage, recycling, Green Bin collection, large item pickup and other waste services is also available on the City's website.
Does the City collect garbage from businesses and commercial properties?
Some Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) properties are eligible for municipal garbage collection.
Eligible properties:
Businesses should confirm whether they are eligible for municipal collection, as not all commercial properties receive City waste collection.
The City's Green Bin program is not available to Industrial, Commercial and Institutional properties. Businesses wishing to collect organics should arrange service through a private collection provider.
The City is working with Businesses that are interested in city collected green bin services. Businesses can review and apply to participate in program at Restaurants Invited to Participate in Community Green Bin Initiative.
What collection rules apply in the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA)?
Properties within the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) follow a different collection schedule.
Garbage collection
Recycling collection
Recycling collection is provided by Emterra Environmental. Missed recycling collection should be reported directly to Emterra at 1-888-597-1541.
What items are not accepted through large item pickup?
Large item pickup is a City collection service for items that are too large or too heavy for regular curbside garbage collection.
Examples include:
Residents should check the City's large item pickup page before booking to confirm whether an item is accepted.
Yes. Large item pickup fees are waived as part of Clean Streets Peterborough.
Residents still need to book the pickup and follow the City's set-out instructions.
The fee was waived to reduce barriers to proper disposal and discourage bulky items from being left in parks, trails, road allowances, boulevards and other public spaces.
When does large item pickup happen?
Large item pickup takes place monthly from April to September.
Residents should check the City's large item pickup page for booking deadlines, collection dates and set-out instructions.
Large item pickup must be booked before items are set out.
What items are not accepted through large item pickup?
Some materials are not accepted through large item pickup.
Examples include:
Not sure where something goes? Use the City's Waste Wizard to find the right disposal option.
Can I leave large items in a public space for collection?
No.
Furniture, mattresses, appliances and other large household items should never be left beside public bins, in parks, on trails, on boulevards, in lanes, in road allowances or on other public property.
Leaving large items in public spaces may be considered illegal dumping.
Use the City's large item pickup service or another approved disposal option.
What are public waste bins for?
Public waste bins are intended for small amounts of waste created while people are using public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, trails, sports fields, downtown areas and other public places.
Public bins are not intended for:
Using public bins for household garbage can cause bins to overflow, attract pests, create litter and make public spaces less welcoming for everyone.
Illegal dumping means leaving waste somewhere it does not belong instead of using an approved collection or disposal option.
Examples include:
How do I report illegal dumping or waste left in a public space?
Illegal dumping, overflowing public waste bins, garbage left in parks or trails, abandoned bulky items, and waste left on public property can be reported through the City's Service Request system or by calling 705-742-7777.
Depending on the location of the issue, your report will be directed to the appropriate City department.
Public Works responds to waste, illegal dumping and bulky items located on roads, sidewalks, boulevards, lanes and other public rights-of-way.
Phone: 705-745-1386 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Email: pubworks@peterborough.ca
Recreation and Parks responds to litter, illegal dumping and overflowing waste bins in parks, trails, open spaces and recreational areas.
Phone: 705-742-0050 ext. 2205
Email: rec@peterborough.ca
What information should I include when reporting a problem?
Include as much detail as you can safely provide.
Helpful information includes:
What happens after I submit a report?
Depending on the issue, City staff may:
Even when a report does not result in an immediate penalty, it helps the City identify problem locations and determine where additional cleanup, education or enforcement may be needed
Can the City issue fines for illegal dumping or improper set-out?
Yes.
The City has enforcement tools under its waste collection by-law and other applicable municipal by-laws.
Clean Streets Peterborough uses an education-first approach where appropriate. This means the City aims to provide clear information and opportunities to comply while still preserving enforcement tools for repeat, deliberate or harmful behaviour.
How can residents help keep Peterborough clean?
Residents can help by:
Community cleanups are a great way to support neighbourhoods, parks, trails and public spaces while building community pride and helping keep Peterborough clean.
The City offers free litter clean-up kits, including garbage bags and nitrile gloves, to help residents, schools, businesses and community groups organize community cleanups.
The City will monitor implementation and outcomes over time.
Measures may include:
Contact Us
City Hall
500 George St. N.
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9
Phone: 705-742-7777
Toll Free: 1-855-738-3755
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