Waste Collection Requirements and Guidelines

Collection services

The Region of Waterloo's curbside waste collection services focus on residential waste. 

• Single-family homes, legal duplexes, farms and rural homes, small apartment buildings (six or fewer units), and townhouse complexes that meet our collection guidelines are eligible for the following programs:
• Bulky Item for items that do not fit into a garbage cart – once a month collection, limits apply. Bulky item collection days will be noted in your 2026 Waste Collection Calendar.
• Garbage Cart- collected every second week. 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 Cart for household organics - collected every week.
• 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 

Download our free Waste Whiz app to set reminders, receive collection alerts, and have the handy item search box at your fingertips. And there's a fun sorting game to play, too!

Collection rules

• Set out items by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Note: The earliest you can set out is 5 p.m. the day before collection.
• Collection crews start at 7 a.m. and their routes change without notice. They work into the early evening.
• Different trucks pick up different materials at different times on your collection day. Collection times vary week to week and change depending on weather, road conditions, construction delays, and other factors.
• Set out items as close to the street as possible, in a safe and accessible spot at the end of your driveway, at ground level. Ideally, on the right hand side. Items placed behind or on top of snowbanks, or on opposite side of sidewalks cannot be collected.
• Remove empty containers and uncollected items from the curb no later than 9 a.m. the day after your collection day. 
• Keep items visible. Please do not place items behind parked cars, light posts or snowbanks. Brush off any snow that may build up.
• Do not overfill containers. Ensure each container or bundle is no heavier than 23 kilograms (50 pounds). 
• Collection crews sticker and leave behind unacceptable items. Oops stickers help explain and correct curbside mistakes.
• Waste limits apply at all times, including during moving and home renovations.
• Use the Waste Whiz search tool to find out how to prepare an item for disposal. 
• Check out our webpages for details about the correct types of containers to use, acceptable items and other details about our programs: bulky item, garbage, green bin, yard waste.  

Collection issues: Oops stickers

Oops stickers are an educational tool to help inform residents of an issue and help guide them. Check the Waste Whiz search tool for sorting and preparation details and download our Waste Whiz app to access to your calendar and get reminders. 

Pink = Not allowed 

An item may be not allowed for collection because it is not accepted in our programs, is improperly prepared, is in the incorrect container (including the old green bin), is a health and safety issue, or there may be By-law requirements. 

Orange= Not bundled properly 

Items like flooring and wood (nails removed), branches and carpet have to be cut to size and tied correctly so that collection crews can pick them up safely and to ensure bundles can fit into the collection vehicle. The bundles can be a maximum of 3 feet in length. 

Turquoise = Too heavy 

• The weight of the large black garbage cart cannot exceed 200 pounds (90 kilograms).

• The weight of the small black garbage cart cannot exceed 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
• The weight of the green organics cart cannot exceed 85 pounds (38 kilograms).
• Each extra tagged garbage bag, bundle and yard waste bag/container must be no heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
• The maximum weight for a bulky item is 200 pounds (90 kilograms). Some items such as pool tables, cast iron bathtubs and pianos, exceed the weight limit and are not collected at the curb.

Purple = Too many 

This sticker is used when the limit for bulky items has been exceeded. The bulky item limit per collection is as follows: 

• Single Family Home = 3 items
• Duplex (2 units) = 6 items
• Small buildings (3 to 6 units) = 10 items 

Please remove the item(s) from the curb that were not collected and set it out on your next collection day or drop off items at one of our waste management sites (fees will apply).

Blue = Contents were frozen 

Contents were frozen at the time of collection. 

• Make sure your carts and yard waste containers are clean and dry before you place materials inside. 
• Place a paper egg carton or balled up newsprint at bottom of your green cart before lining the cart. 
• Drain liquids before placing organics in a liner bag.
• Loosen liner bag(s) when setting the green cart to the curb.

Yellow = Wrong day  

Please confirm your correct collection day here. 

Remove your item(s) from the curb and put them back out on your next scheduled collection day. 

White = Incorrect cart set out  

Carts need to be 2 feet (0.6 meters) from any other object, placed at ground level with the arrows pointing to the street, and accessible to the collection vehicle. Do not place items on top of cart lids. 

Green = Incorrect extra garbage bag set out 

Extra garbage bag(s) need to have a garbage tag around the neck and be placed beside the black garbage cart. Garbage cans are not accepted for extra garbage. Do not place items on top of cart lids.

Moving out tips

Plan ahead. We know it’s a busy time for you, but please figure out what you need to set to the curb or donate ahead of time.

• The number of bulky items you can set out is limited during the once a month collection days. Any Bulky Items above the limit will not be collected. 
• You may need to purchase garbage bag tags. Any garbage bags over the limit have to be tagged to be collected.
• Gather batteries, unused or expired medication, fluorescent light bulbs including the curly compact ones and other household hazardous waste for drop off at local businesses/retailers or at our Household Hazardous Waste depots.
• Clean and leave behind the black and green carts. These carts belong to the address, not the occupants.
• Sort through your clothing and household items. 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, remove packaging,
  • rinse and recycle packaging that is accepted in the Blue Box program
  • place food in the green cart, if your building complex participates in this program

Windy weather setout tips

1. Don't set items to the curb the night before collection if a storm or high winds are expected.

2. Place your items at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of collection if the weather is better.

3. If it is still windy/stormy, consider waiting until the next collection week.

4. Make sure cart lids are closed. Do not overfill your carts.

5. Write your address on your carts and containers in permanent marker. This makes it easier for them to be returned.

    

   Thanks for preventing litter in our community!

Summer setout tips

1. Bury food scraps in your green cart liner bag with paper waste (such as shredded paper).

2. Keep lids on your kitchen container and green cart closed at all times. 

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

4. Replace broken or cracked green and black carts.

5. Clean your carts often. Freshen them up with:

   o   a natural deodorizer such as baking soda 

   o   citronella, an essential oil, (smear the oil on the outside rim of your container to deter flies)

   o   a spray made out of half white vinegar and half water to deal with fruit flies.

Winter setout tips

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

• Make sure items are easily accessible and carts are spaced 2 feet apart from all other items/objects. Items on top of snowbanks, and items that have been plowed in/covered with snow will not be collected. 
• Place the items either at the end of your driveway or shovel into the snowbank near the end of your driveway to clear an area for the carts/other items
• Do not place items on top of snowbanks.
• Clear any snow and ice that may accumulate.

Ensure items are visible: 

• 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 cart easy to empty out:

• Drain liquids from organics first.
• Place a paper egg carton or balled up newsprint on the bottom of your green cart. This helps lift the liner bag from the bottom of the bin.
• Loosen the liner bag from the sides when you set your green cart 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 carts/containers promptly. Prevent them from getting buried with snow, blowing around or damaged. Make sure your address is written on your carts and containers, too!

Please note:

• Collection crews do their best to empty your carts/containers but sometimes contents are frozen when they arrive. By the time you retrieve your carts/containers, contents may be thawed/loose. Please set these items out on your next collection.
• Be mindful of your neighbour's containers/carts. If you are blowing snow, try to avoid burying the carts/containers they've set out.