The City of Edmonton has implemented a new way of collecting waste. Here is what you need to know:
The City will provide all single-unit and some multi-unit homes with a 240L garbage cart, a food scraps cart and a food scraps pail between March 2021 and August 2021.
If you would like a smaller cart, you can request the 120L cart instead, which is half of the size, and will save you $5/month vs those with the 240L cart. Requests for smaller carts must be submitted by February 12, 2021. You can fill out the request form here.
Sorting your waste
Edmontonians will be expected to sort their waste into the following categories and subsequent carts/pails:
- Food scraps: any kind of food, scraps, bones, egg shells, dairy products, coffee grounds, tea, food soiled napkins & paper towels (all packaging must be removed)
- Recycling: paper, newspaper, cardboard, tin cans, glass jars & bottles, bags and plastic containers (all items need to be clean, loose and dry)
- Yard waste: includes leaves, twigs, branches, fallen fruit, grass, and plant material from your yard or garden. Yard waste can be disposed of any of these three ways –
- You can add them to your food scraps cart, as long as the lid will still close
- In clear, plastic bags no more than 20kg each (no limit on the number of bags) set out for seasonal collection, which is twice per year
- Bring your yard waste to an Eco Station
- Garbage: Any items that do not require special disposal at an Eco station, can not be recycled and do not belong in your food scraps bin should go into your garbage bin.
New waste pick up schedule:
Food scraps: Collected weekly from Spring to Fall; collected bi-weekly in the Winter
Recycling: All recycle will need to be put into blue bags. Collected weekly year-round with no limit on the number of bags allowed.
Garbage: Once every two weeks
How many bags of garbage will the cart hold?
The large garbage cart (default size) is 240L. This cart will hold approximately 5-6 large garbage bags.
Dimensions:
- Height: 111cm (43.5″)
- Width: 68cm (26.5″)
- Depth: 69cm (27″)
How much will the new cart system cost us?
The large garbage cart monthly rate will increase by $1.10 to $48.32 starting in October 2021.
If you requested the smaller cart, the charge will be $5 less that you would pay with the larger cart. The monthly rate will decrease from what it currently is by $3.90/month to $43.32/month starting in October 2021.
When will I get my cart?
To find out the approximate date your cart will be delivered and when the new collection services will start in your area, enter your address in the City of Edmonton website on this page here.
Good to know:
- Carts need to be placed at least 1m from other carts, cars or objects
- The lid on your cart must be fully closed. (They can not be over-filled)
- Residents with occasional excess garbage can drop off up to two bags free of charge at an Eco station. The garbage must be in clear bags.
- Residents do not have the option of opting out of this program
- Once this program is rolled out, the City of Edmonton will only be collecting from the bins provided by the City. Extra garbage bags will not be collected, and you cannot use your own carts.
- Those with mobility challenges can apply for Assisted Waste Collection
Your old garbage bins will be accepted free of charge at City Eco or Recycling stations, as long as they are clean.
Excess Garbage Cart:
Residences with 7 or more people in the same household, and residents generating non-hazardous home health care waste can apply to exchange their garbage cart with an excess (360L) garbage cart. This will cost an additional $10/month.
For more information, visit the City of Edmonton website here.
Photo credit: City of Edmonton