Collection Matters

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COVID 19

This page provides information on waste collection in Waterloo Region including, the collection services that the Region of Waterloo offers, who is eligible for these programs, set-out rules, and how to handle collection concerns.

General waste collection information

Use Waste Whiz to find your collection schedule, instructions on how to prepare items, and more!
Set out items by 7 a.m. on your collection day, The earliest you can set out is 5 p.m. the day before collection.
Remove empty containers and uncollected items from the curb no later than 9 a.m. the day after your collection day.
Keep items visible and safe to access (ground level).
Do not overfill blue boxes, garbage cans and other containers. Ensure each container or bundle is no heavier than 23 kilograms (50 pounds).
Collection crews sticker and leave behind unacceptable items. Use this troubleshooting guide to find out why your item was stickered.
If you have concerns about waste collection, please report them using our online form. Or you can contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400, but lines are very busy at this time. We appreciate your patience.
Check out our pages for details about our programs: blue box, bulky item, garbage, green bin, yard waste. If you are at a multi-unit building or school and use large carts, go to the page for blue, grey and green cart collection.
Go through our Bans and By-law for details.
And for new developments and multi-unit properties, our document, Waste Collection Guidelines for Region of Waterloo waste collection programs and services, is a good reference. These guidelines help determine the eligibility of various types of properties, protocols for construction projects and road closures, and other requirements.
If you have a backyard chicken coop, click here to find out how to deal with the waste from your chicken coop.

COVID-19 Update:

Curbside waste collection continues as scheduled and our drop-off sites are open during regular hours. However, there are some changes to our programs and services. See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below for details and to find ways to help during these challenging times.

Please remember to follow Public Health's instructions on physical (social) distancing. We appreciate that you and your children may be interested in watching the collection crews work, but please do so from at least two meters away.

Thank you!

FAQs about waste collection and disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic

What can I expect when I drop off items at the Region's waste management sites?

Our sites are open during normal hours for both residents and commercial customers. Our drop-off sites are closed to residents on statutory and designated holidays.
Sites are expected to be busy. Expect line-ups, particularly on Saturdays. We are limiting the number of vehicles allowed on site at one time. Space between drop-off areas has been increased. As well, each vehicle will have its own bunker for seasonal mulch and compost pick-up We appreciate your patience and understanding as we are trying to protect the wellbeing of residents and workers.
When possible, please limit your access to the sites (essential trips only), and observe physical distancing.
Regular fees apply. No cash, please; pay by credit and debit cards only.

How will you be protecting the public and staff at your waste management sites?

Physical barriers to prevent vehicles from pulling up close to one another for drop-off (and seasonal compost/mulch pick-up).
New signs reminding residents to keep at least two meters of distance.
Restrictions on the number of vehicles on site at any time.
Plexiglass barriers at our Household Hazardous Waste depots, and the weigh scales (where all work surfaces are continually wiped down).
Only accepting credit/debit (with a preference for TAP) and no cash.

How will you deal with long line-ups?

Staff will be on hand to direct traffic on site, but residents are cautioned: our sites can typically see more than 1,000 vehicles a day. Line-ups can be long, as will wait times. We appreciate everyone’s patience.

How should I set out my waste now? What can I do to help?

Put all garbage into a garbage bag, not loose in a garbage can. Unbagged (loose) garbage will not be collected.
Put all masks, gloves and disinfecting wipes, as well as all facial tissues and napkins into the garbage.
If you are sick, put any item that has touched your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage. This includes items you would normally put in the blue box, such as water bottles, pop cans, milk and juice cartons, etc.
Use a liner bag for all of your green bin organics (paper or certified compostable). Please close liner bags when you set out your bin for collection. Unbagged (loose) organics will not be collected.
Try to reduce the amount of waste you make. Now would be a good time to review your in-home waste patterns and find new ways to reduce waste. We suggest you start by playing the recycling game available on our Waste Whiz app, good for kids and adults alike!

Why do I need to use a green bin liner?

A liner bag makes it easier for collection crews to empty the green bin and limits their exposure to the material. Without a liner bag, items tend to stick to the sides of the container. The less handling of waste and containers, the healthier it is for the collection crews.

Please securely close all liner bags.
Un-bagged (loose) organics will not be collected.

Why do I have to put all garbage in bags?

Garbage in tied bags limits the exposure of collection crews to waste, particularly waste created by sick families. And un-bagged garbage is a health concern, including the type of litter it could create (such as disposable masks, gloves, etc.).

How do I dispose of at-home COVID test kits?

All non-hazardous home health care waste, including at-home rapid antigen screen test kits for COVID, need to be double-bagged. Put the waste in one bag, tie shut, and then put that bag into a garbage bag. When the garbage bag is full, please securely tie shut that bag as well.

For information on how to dispose of other types of medical waste, go to our "Medical Waste" section.

How can I report a collection issue?

The online form is the best way to report curbside collection concerns. This form is available online or on our app, Waste Whiz. Please include your email in the form to allow our staff to follow up on the issue.

Are you still doing tours and presentations?

Our public tours and other in-person presentations are cancelled until further notice, but there are lots of other opportunities:

Go on a virtual tour instead! Check out our 360 video, a virtual tour that takes you behind the scenes of our landfill and materials sorting centre.
Check out our online learning tools, and our publications.
For teachers: Contact us to book a virtual presentation for your classroom.
For businesses and community groups: We're offering virtual presentations. Find out how to book a lunch and learn or workshop.

Can I still buy garbage tags?

Yes! You can purchase tags online. As well, some vendors are still selling tags but there may be restrictions, such as booking an appointment ahead of time. Check with the vendor before going. Go to our Garbage Tag page for information.

Can I pick up blue boxes or green bins?

Containers (blue boxes, green bins) for eligible residents are available at Regional Household Hazardous Waste depots:

201 Savage Drive, Cambridge, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and
925 Erb Street West, Gate 2, Waterloo, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

These containers are available to new homeowners who have moved within the last six months.

As well, residents of Waterloo Region can pick up, free of charge,

a replacement blue box or green bin. Please bring the broken container since we can recycle it!
an additional green bin.

Use our Waste Whiz search tool

Learn how to recycle or dispose of an item. Type in the item and a drop-down list will appear. Click on the item that matches.
Click on the "My Schedule" tab and type in your address to confirm if your address is eligible for our curbside collection services. If so, your collection schedule will appear. You can print out your schedule and set reminders.
Play our Waste Sorting Game! Test your knowledge, build your "park" and earn a certificate.

Or check the options under the "Need help?" to report a concern or get other assistance.

This site determines waste services for residents living in single and semi-detached homes in Waterloo Region. Apartment buildings, businesses, condominiums and townhouse residents should call the Region's 24 / 7 customer service team at 519-575-4400 for more information.

What collection services are available? Who is eligible?

The Region of Waterloo's waste collection programs focus mainly on residential waste. If you are a business, please go to our Business/Commercial page for information.

To find out if your property is eligible to receive Region of Waterloo waste collection services, type in the address in Waste Whiz above.

Single-family homes, legal duplexes, farms and rural homes, small apartment buildings (six units or less), and townhouse complexes (six units or more) that meet our collection guidelines

These buildings are eligible for the following programs:

Blue Box recycling - collected every week, no limits on the number of blue boxes
Bulky Item for items that do not fit into a standard sized garbage can or bag - every second week collection (same week as garbage collection), limits apply
Garbage - collected every second week, limits apply. Use garbage tags for garbage over the limit. If you have a medical condition that generates unavoidable garbage, consider applying for a medical exemption.
Green Bin for household organics - collected every week, no limits on the number of green bins
Yard Waste - seasonal (usually end of March to early December), every second week (opposite week of garbage), no limit to the number of containers, paper yard waste bags, or bundles
Christmas Tree collection (natural trees only) - collected each week for two weeks after Christmas

Apartments (seven units or more) and other townhouse complexes

May qualify for our Blue and Grey Cart Recycling program.

Schools

May qualify for our cart-based collection programs for both recyclables and organics.

What is my collection schedule?

Use Waste Whiz (above, on this page) and type type in your address to find your schedule. If you have any problems, please contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400, available 24 hours, every day. Remember to download our free Waste Whiz app to have information, alerts, and reminders at your fingertips!

Use our online calendars: 2021 general waste collection calendar, 2021 yard waste schedule.

Please note that,

The times that your items are collected will vary week to week depending on various factors such as weather, routing changes, and road construction.
Different trucks pick up different materials starting at 7 a.m. on each collection day (they work into the evening).
Crews do their best to complete collection each day and will leave stickers on items they cannot collect.

Did you know...Collection crews make around 1 million stops in Waterloo Region each month!

Holiday collection

Collection continues on all holidays, except for Christmas and New Years. When these holidays fall on weekdays, collection will be delayed. We will advertise the change in collection on our website, and through local media, social media, and our waste app.

After certain holidays, double the amount of garbage can be set out. For details, please go our Garbage collection page.

Tree-cycle! January 3 to 14, 2022: For two weeks after Christmas, we collect natural Christmas trees (which we chip into mulch). Please,

Set it out by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
Keep it natural! Remove all lights, ornaments, and stands. Do not bag.
Cut trees in half that are longer than 1.8 meters (6 feet).
Keep it visible and accessible for collection crews. Do not place your tree on or behind a snowbank.

Disposal options after our special Christmas tree collection program has ended:

Look for ways to reuse it. There's lots of ideas online such as creating coasters, bird feeders and more.
Drop off your natural tree at our waste management sites so that it is chipped up into mulch. Fees will apply.
Set it to the curb for collection. It will count as a Bulky Item and go to landfill.

What about artificial trees? If you set an artificial tree to the curb, it will be collected as a Bulky Item.

Other holiday-related information:

Check out our holiday waste reduction tips.
Our waste management sites and offices are closed on all statutory and designated holidays.

Top 7 tips to ensure your items are collected

Set out your items by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Collection crews start at 7 a.m. and their routes change without notice.
Set out your items as close to the street as possible, in a safe and accessible spot at the end of your driveway (ideally, on the right hand side). Items placed behind or on top of snowbanks, or on opposite side of sidewalks cannot be collected.
Ensure your items are visible. Please do not place items behind parked cars, light posts, or snowbanks.
Properly sort and prepare your items. Check Waste Whiz (at the top of this page) to find out how to prepare specific items for collection. Do not set out hazardous items.
Use approved collection containers. See information on each of our program pages for details.
Stay within the weight limit of 23 kilograms (50 pounds) for each blue box, green bin, garbage bag or can, and yard waste item.
Stay within the set out limits for garbage and bulky items. If you have garbage bags/cans over the limit, use garbage tags.

Sorting matters for curbside collection! How to recycle more and waste less

Since packaging, products, and programs are always changing, sometimes it's difficult to know what to do, and how to dispose of certain items.

We are here to help! Below are tips to help you set up, sort out, and set out your waste successfully.

Why is this important? It reduces the amount of garbage you create (and helps you stay within the garbage limit), conserves resources and has other local and global benefits, and extends the life of our one-and-only landfill.

Set up for success. Place containers in key rooms of your home (such as the kitchen, bathroom, and garage) to help your household separate blue box items, organics, and garbage. Consider having colour-coded containers (such as blue, green, black) that are labelled. Reuse cardboard boxes or plastic containers you have on hand. Before collection day, empty these containers into the containers accepted for curbside collection. Also, consider having a safe spot to store household hazardous waste (including spent batteries).
- For blue box recycling, have two containers. One for metal, glass and plastic bottles and jars (that contained a food, beverage, or cleaning product) and milk/juice cartons, and the other for paper, cardboard and plastic bags. Note we have stickers available for blue boxes.
Learn the basics and talk with your household. Our "sorting" flyer could be a good place to start. Consider posting it near your containers as a reference. Check out the other brochures and flyers on our Publications page, and our web pages for details on each of our curbside programs (blue box, bulky item, garbage, green bin, yard waste, Christmas trees). Once you understand the basics, talk to members of your household.
If in doubt, check it out! Do you have an item and you're not sure how to dispose of it? Check the Waste Whiz search box (above on this page). Type in the item and find out how to prepare it for a curbside or drop-off program. And remember that our Call Centre staff are available 24 hours a day, every day. If you have questions or concerns about the Region's programs, contact them at 519-575-4400.
Keep it simple.

Purchase items with packaging that is accepted in our recycling program.
Get 'appy! Download our free Waste Whiz app (or use the online version) have the Waste Whiz search box at your finger tips. Also, take advantage of the other helpful features, such as scheduling reminders to help you set out the right items on the correct day.

Troubleshooting guide to "Oops!" stickers and common collection issues

When an item has been set out on time and not collected, the collection crew will leave a sticker to indicate why it wasn't collected.

Below is a troubleshooting guide that shows each type of sticker, how to deal with items that were not collected, and how to prevent getting a sticker.

Oops! Not allowed sticker

Oops! Not allowed: An item may not be allowed due to health and safety issues or by-law requirements. This sticker is also used on improperly prepared items. Some examples include:

Loose, unbagged garbage
Loose, unbagged green bin organics
Bagged recyclable containers (cans, cartons, bottles and jars) in a blue box
Styrofoam in a blue box
Regular plastic bags in a green bin
Electronic waste (not collected at the curb - use local drop-off programs)
Broken glass, and syringes which are not safe to collect
Incorrect type of collection container

Check the Waste Whiz for details on how to properly prepare and dispose of your item.

Oops not bundled properly

Oops! Not bundled properly: Items that need to be bundled, such as cardboard, wood or branches, need to be sized and tied correctly for collection crews to pick up safely and to fit into their trucks.

Check the Waste Whiz for details and properly prepare the bundles for your next collection day.

Oops too heavy

Oops! Too heavy: Each blue box, green bin, garbage bag/can, bundle, and yard waste item must be no heavier than 23 kilograms (50 pounds). If your item exceeds the weight limit, split up the material into separate containers/bundles and set out on your next collection day.

Oops too many

Oops! Too many: There are limits on the number of garbage cans/bags you can set out for collection. Please:

Check the limits for garbage and bulky items.
Use a garbage tag for each garbage bag/can you set out that is above the limit.
Remove the items from the curb that were not collected, and set out on your next scheduled collection day within the limits. Option: Bring extra items to a Regional waste management site. Fees will apply.

Oops! Contents were frozen sticker

Oops! Contents were frozen: Items could not be collected because they were frozen to the container at the time of collection. This sometimes happens with blue box items and green bin organics.

Ways to ensure your items are easy to empty out:

Bag/bundle paper and boxboard before you put it in your blue box.
Make sure your blue box is clean and dry before you place materials in it.
Place a paper egg carton or balled up newsprint on the bottom of your green bin.
Drain liquids before placing organics in the green bin liner bag.
Loosen the liner bag when you set the green bin to the curb.

Oops wrong week sticker

Oops! Wrong week: Garbage, bulky items, and seasonal yard waste are not collected every week. Bring in your item(s) from the curb and put them back out on your next scheduled collection day.

Please note also that Christmas trees have a specific collection period. Check the Holiday Collection section for details.

How to avoid getting this sticker: Use our Waste Whiz app!

Should I share a stop with my neighbour?

When you "share a stop" you are placing your waste items beside your neighbour's items. This can be helpful if there's limited curbside space. And it is appreciated by collection crews since they make approximately 1,000 stops each day.

However, with limits on garbage and bulky items extra items will be stickered and left behind by collection crews.

Here are some tips to make sharing a stop work:

Only share a stop with your neighbour for waste that does not have limits such as blue boxes, green bins, and yard waste.
Place green bins and blue boxes in between your and your neighbour's garbage and bulky items.
If you share a driveway, each household should put their waste on different sides of the driveway.
Using permanent marker, write your address on all of your blue boxes, green bins and garbage cans.

Winter tips: How to set out items for collection in cold and snowy conditions

Use the following tips to help keep pedestrians, vehicles and our collection crews safe, and collection efficient in cold and snowy conditions:

Snow shoveled ledge with containers out for collection Make sure items are easily accessible.

Place the items either at the end of your driveway or shovel a shelf in the snowbank near the end of your driveway. Please make sure the shelf is on the road-side, not the sidewalk-side.
Do not place items on top of snowbanks.
Clear any snow and ice that may accumulate.

Ensure containers are visible.

If you use garbage bags, use black or green garbage bags. Do not set out garbage in white garbage bags.
Do not set items behind snowbanks, parked cars, shrubs or lamp posts.
Brush off snow that may accumulate on your items.
Set your items on the right-hand side of your driveway (looking from your house towards the street). This makes it easier for the collectors to see your items when they are driving down the street.

Make your green bin easy to empty out.

Drain liquids from organics first.
Place a paper egg carton or balled up newsprint on the bottom of your green bin. This helps lift the liner bag from the bottom of the bin.
Loosen the liner bag from the sides when you set your green bin out for collection.

Place items out the day of collection by 7 a.m., rather than the night before.

Consider not setting out your waste during major snow events.

Remove your empty containers promptly. Prevent them from getting buried with snow, blowing around or damaged. Make sure your address is written on your containers, too!

Please note that collection crews do their best to empty your containers, but sometimes contents are frozen when they arrive. By the time you retrieve your containers, contents may be thawed/loose. Please set these items out on your next collection.

How to set out items in windy or stormy conditions and prevent litter

Don't set items to the curb the night before collection if a storm or high winds are expected.
Place your items at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of collection if the weather is better.
If it is still windy/stormy, consider waiting until the next collection week.
Do not overfill containers.
Prepare your blue box materials so that they do not blow away:
- Crush containers so aren't as easily lifted by wind. (Do not bag containers - keep them loose in your blue box.)
- Stuff all plastic bags in one bag and tie the handles of the outer bag. Then put paper in a plastic grocery bag and tie the handles of the bag. Place the bag with paper, on top of the bag of bags.
- Flatten, size, and bundle corrugated cardboard.
- Stack your blue boxes. Place your Paper Products and Plastic Bags blue box on top of your Containers Only blue box.
- Check our flyer for more tips.

Write your address on your blue boxes, green bin, and garbage can in permanent marker. This makes it easier for them to be returned.

Thanks for preventing litter in our community!

Top 5 tips to prevent summertime pests

Empty and rinse all food and beverage containers before placing them in your blue box.
Bury food scraps with paper waste (such as shredded paper), and keep the lid closed at all times. (Check out this flyer for more tips for preventing and controlling pests in your green bin.)
Clean your blue boxes, green bins, and garbage cans often. Freshen them up with

a natural deodorizer such as baking soda
citronella, an essential oil, (smear the oil on the outside rim of your container to deter flies)
a spray made out of half white vinegar and half water to deal with fruit flies

4. Set all items on the curb for collection by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Do not set them out the night before.

5. Replace broken or cracked blue boxes, green bins and garbage cans.

Collection in a construction zone

When streets are under construction, waste collection vehicles cannot safely or directly access the items you set out. Managers of the construction project are responsible to arrange changes to waste collection with our staff, and provide you with instructions. In most cases, construction crews will move all the waste to certain location(s) on adjoining streets which are accessible to our collection crews.

To help, please

Write your address on each of your blue boxes and green bins, using permanent marker. This helps your containers to be returned to you.
Use garbage bags instead of garbage cans.
Ensure all of your items are prepared correctly.
- Do not overfill blue boxes.
- Keep within the limits for garbage and bulky items.
- Keep within the weight limit (23 kilograms, 50 pounds) for each container, garbage bag, and bundle.
- Ensure each container can support its contents. For example, please ensure paper yard waste bags do not tear when lifted.
Set out items on schedule, such as the every-second-week collection schedule for garbage/bulky items, and seasonal yard waste.
Follow the set-out times required by the construction project manager. It may be earlier than 7 a.m.
Keep informed. The Region and local municipalities provide information about construction projects.

Tips for moving day

Due to COVID-19, Regional waste offices are closed until further notice, and collection and drop-off programs have changed. Please refer to the information at the top of this page for details.

Whether you are moving into or out of Waterloo Region, below is information to help prevent collection issues.

Moving in

Welcome! We hope that you join our community in recycling all you can, preventing litter, and saving space in our one-and-only landfill.

Here are some steps to get you started:

Find out your collection service. Check your eligibility, collection day and schedule by typing in your address in our online Waste Whiz Search tool.
Get the correct collection containers.
- If you are in a large apartment building or townhouse complex, contact your site manager for instructions on waste management programs and get the correct containers.
- If you are in a detached single family home, duplex, or small apartment building (having six or fewer units), receive Regional services, and have moved within the last six months, you can pick up containers. Please bring proof of your change in address to our Cambridge Waste Management site, located at 201 Savage Drive, Cambridge (go to the scale and staff will provide directions), or our Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West (Gate 2 - go to the brown Household Hazardous Waste building), Waterloo, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. We supply a green bin and blue box for no charge.
Create an 'eco depot' in each of the key areas of your home. Have collection containers in your kitchen and bathrooms to help proper sorting and collection of waste.
Learn about our programs. Check out our web pages for curbside, cart, and drop-off programs. And we have brochures, videos and other resources available.
Remember to set all your items out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, do not go over the weight, bulky item and garbage limits, and set out the correct items on the correct week.
Put the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) into practice. Check out our waste reduction tips to avoid waste every day, even during holidays, and a directory of local reuse options. Recycling is very important to our community since the very first Blue Box program was invented here. Please recycle all you can.
Flatten and bundle all corrugated cardboard.
Use our waste app for collection schedule reminders and program updates.
Use the Waste Whiz search box to find out how to deal with an item.
Sign up for our electronic newsletter to keep up-to-date on our programs and services.

Again, welcome to Waterloo Region. If you have any questions about our programs and services or have a collection concern, we are here to help. Please contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400 available 24 hours a day, every day.

Moving out

We know it's a busy time for you, but please plan ahead and figure out what you need to dispose of, and how you can dispose of items.

If you have curbside collection, please remember that the number of bulky items is limited every second week, and that items above the limit will not be collected.
If you have extra garbage, use garbage tags.
Gather up batteries, expired medication, paint, and other household hazardous waste. Check our Household Hazardous Waste page for local programs and drop-off options.
Sort through your clothing and household items, and donate things you no longer want or need.
Sort through your food. Consider donating food you no longer want to local food banks, as appropriate. For food that has expired, please
- remove packaging, rinse and recycle packaging accepted in the Blue Box program and Blue and Grey Cart program, and
- place the food in your green bin (maximum weight is 23 kilograms/50 pounds).
Clean and leave behind the Region of Waterloo blue boxes and green bins, or the reusable recycling bags (for multi-unit buildings). These containers belong to the address.