Bulky Items and Appliances

Who is eligible?

We collect bulky items and appliances from single-family homes, legal duplexes, eligible townhouse units, and small apartment buildings (6 units or less) every second week (the same week as garbage). Check your eligibility, collection day and services. 

Apartment buildings of 7 units or more, and most townhouse/condominium complexes do not receive curbside collection from us.

Still not sure if your property is eligible?  Please contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400, available 24 hours a day, every day.

What is collected?

Generally, a bulky item is an item that does not fit into a standard garbage bag/can. Examples include:

• Appliances, such as fridge, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher (remove doors or tape them shut before placing items at the curb)
• Artificial Christmas trees (and natural Christmas trees after our special Christmas Tree collection program is over)
• Carpet (tie and bundle, no more than 90 centimetres (3 feet) in length, each bundle counts as one item)
• Fan
• Lamp
• Furniture, such as couch, chair, table, bookcase. (do not dismantle, ensure all pieces (cushions, shelves, etc.) are secured)
• Scrap wood (tie and bundle, no nails, no more than 90 centimetre (3 feet) in length, each bundle counts as one item)
• Vacuum cleaner
• Water softeners (empty the salt, drain the liquids)

Ask the Waste Whiz for instructions on how to prepare your items.

What is not collected?

• Items that are hazardous, sharp or dangerous to collect, such as wood with exposed nails, railway ties, broken mirror.
• Items that are banned from landfill, such as electronic waste.
• Items that are not prepared correctly.
• Items that can't be collected with a garbage truck, such as a pool table, piano, and cast iron bathtub.
• Items above the limit.

Wondering how to dispose of an item? Ask the Waste Whiz!

Collection schedule and rules

• Set out bulky items by 7 a.m. on your collection day every second week (the same week as garbage collection).
• Stay within the limit:
  • Single family homes and each legal duplex:  maximum 3 items per household per collection. 
  • Buildings with 3 to 6 units: maximum 10 items per building per collection.
• Prepare items properly. Check the Waste Whiz, our online search tool, for details. For example, if bundling carpet, the maximum weight of each bundle is 23 kilograms (50 pounds) and maximum length of 90 centimetres (3 feet).
• Each bundle counts as one item.
• Garbage tags can't be used for bulky items.
• Keep items visible and accessible for collection crews (not behind a snowbank, parked car, etc.).
• Items must not be hazardous, sharp or dangerous to collect. For example, remove nails in scrap wood.

Tips and FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Do not dismantle furniture and ensure it is safe and secure to pick up. For example, fasten shelves in a bookcase if there is a chance they could fall out when the collectors lift it.
• If you are having renovation work done (like new floors installed) ask the installer to take the waste with them.
• If you are replacing an appliance or piece of furniture, ask the company to remove and recycle the old one.
• If the item is still in good condition, consider giving it away, donating it to a charity, or selling it on online.
• Check out our drop-off programs and other reuse/recycling options.