Waste Collection for Commercial Properties

All businesses/commercial properties that receive City collection services for garbage:

• Garbage collection is completed every other week for all businesses that receive City waste collection (excluding DBIA).
• Clear bags for garbage are mandatory for City of Peterborough garbage collection. Opaque bags will not be accepted for curbside garbage collection provided by the City.
• Up to 3 smaller (approximately 22 inch x 22 inch, 25 litre), opaque privacy bags can be placed in each larger, clear garbage bag. An unlimited number of small clear bags can also be placed inside the larger clear bag.
• Garbage cannot be placed curbside in a bin, can or pail. Clear plastic bags must be removed from receptacles/containers for curbside pickup.
• Weight limit: Each clear garbage bag can weigh up to 13.6 kg (30 lbs), maximum.
• Bag limit: Up to 12 bags may be placed out for every-other-week curbside collection by each commercial property eligible to receive City garbage collection.
• The City’s new Green Bin organics collection is not available to businesses. Businesses may contact private companies to arrange such a program. The City does not have green bin containers available for sale.
• Recycling collection continues weekly, on the same day as your garbage day

Hard copies of the 2025 Waste Management Calendar and guide are available for pick up at City Hall, 500 George St. N., during regular business hours.

Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA)

Businesses within the DBIA receive garbage collection twice per week. The DBIA is not included in Phase 1 of Green Bin collection.

• Bag limit: Up to six bags (13.6 kg or 30 lbs each) can be set out per collection day (a total of twelve bags per week).
• It is not permitted to set garbage out in bins, pails or containers.
• Clear garbage bags are mandatory for businesses as well as residences in the DBIA that receive City garbage collection.
• Up to 3 smaller (approximately 22 inch x 22 inch, 25 litre), opaque privacy bags can be placed in each larger, clear garbage bag. An unlimited number of small clear bags can also be placed inside the larger clear bag.
• No changes to weekly recycling collection.

DBIA set-out and removal times for collection

• Recycling containers shall be placed out for collection by the occupant or owner not later than 6 a.m. on the day of collection, and not earlier than 5 p.m. on the previous day.
• Recycling container removal: any container not collected shall be removed by the occupant by 9 a.m. on the day of collection.
• Garbage (bags only) shall be placed out for collection by the occupant or owner not earlier than 5 p.m. and not later than 10 p.m. on the day of collection.

Administrative Orders or Penalties may be issued to persons in contravention of the Waste Collection By-Law.

Questions 

Why has the City of Peterborough implemented 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.

• The collector is also able to conduct a quick scan to assess the contents within the clear bags to ensure that the contents does not contain recyclables or hazardous items such as oil, paint, pharmaceutical products of corrosive wastes are in the bag – these items should be disposed of at an appropriate facility (e.g. the Peterborough Household Hazardous Waste Depot).
• We know that mistakes can occur and sometimes some recyclable material may end up in the clear bag. Our collectors also recognize this and use judgement when determining what to collect and what not to. A reasonable, practical tolerance level will certainly be observed when taking that quick look at the bag.

Why are bins not allowed for setting out garbage bags?

Heaving garbage pails into the City's new waste collection trucks poses a significant risk of injury. The ergonomics of swinging a bag to the required height is a much safer alternative.

Additionally, it is unsafe for collection staff to reach into garbage pails to pull out bags - injuries from sharp items can occur. The safety of our collection staff is top priority.

Do I have to participate in this program and use clear bags for garbage placed at the curb?

Yes, the City has updated the waste management collection bylaw. It is mandatory, effective October 31, 2023, that only large clear bags placed curbside will be collected.