Single Family Home
Collection containers
Green Cart
Size: 240L
Collected weekly
For organic material: food scraps, yard trimmings, and soiled paper
Garbage cart
Size: 240L
Collected every other week
For garbage
Boxes and bag
Collected weekly
For recycling: containers, paper, and glass bottles and jars
Collection schedule
Cart sizes and rates
Frequently asked questions
| How does the collection program work? |
| Properties have two collection carts: one for garbage (grey lid) and one “Green Cart” for organic material such as food waste, yard trimmings, and soiled paper (green lid). Garbage is collected every other week; similar to Abbotsford, Surrey, and Vancouver. The Green Cart and recycling are collected weekly. Recycling uses the blue box and bag system. |
| What should I do if I don't have carts? |
| First, make sure your property falls within the garbage collection zone. If you have not received carts, or you recently moved and there are no carts at your new property, visit our Submit a Cart Request page. |
| How do I know when my garbage will be collected? |
| A collection schedule for your property is available at tol.ca/calendar or you can pick up a calendar at many Township facilities. Need a collection reminder? Sign up for a call, text, or tweet at tol.ca/calendar. |
| What if I want to change my cart size? |
| See Sizes and Rates – Single Family Home for more information. |
| What if my Garbage Cart or Green Cart is too small for the amount of waste our household produces? |
Green CartExtra yard trimmings may be put out in paper bags, or 80 L cans marked with a “Green Can”* or “Yard Trimmings” decal. Twigs and branches can be bundled using garden string or twine (no wire, nylon rope, or plastic strapping).
Additional Green Carts are not available, with exception of properties with an authorized secondary suite, coach house, or temporary mobile home, who may apply for a second (80L) Green Cart for their property. Administration fees will apply unless the request is during the dedicated exchange period. Submit a Cart Request. A $50 per cart administration fee may apply. GarbageMost properties can avoid additional fees by maximizing use of their Green Cart and recycling programs. 60-70% of household waste can be recycled or composted. If your property is still generating too much garbage for your cart, you can choose from the following options: 1) Extra Garbage stickers Properties that occasionally produce extra garbage may purchase Extra Garbage stickers. Excess garbage must display an Extra Garbage sticker on each 80L can or bag of garbage next to the Township provided cart to be collected. Stickers are available for purchase for $3.50 each at the Township Civic Facility, all community and recreation centres, and several local retailers. Learn more about Extra Garbage stickers. 2) Additional carts Properties that regularly produce excess garbage may obtain up to two (2) additional garbage carts for their property. Submit a Cart Request. Additional fees will be applied to your annual tax notice. A $50 administration fee will also apply per cart delivered. *Free Green Can decals are available at Township facilities |
| How does the program affect my taxes? |
| The annual garbage fee is dependent on the size and number of garbage carts you have. Properties that produce the least waste will pay less on their annual taxes. See Cart Sizes and Rates – Single Family Home for more information. |
| What are my cart size options and fees? |
| See Cart Sizes and Rates – Single Family Home for more information. |
| I have a secondary suite. Can I have a second set of carts? |
GarbageThe fees paid to license an authorized suite do not include any charges for garbage collection, therefore owners are not entitled to extra garbage collection beyond the approved limits per property. All properties (with or without suites) are entitled to up to two (2) additional garbage carts with annual fees associated. Suggested options for properties with suites include:
For more information about additional carts, see Cart Sizes and Rates – Single Family Home. Green CartAuthorized secondary suites and coach houses are entitled to one additional Green Cart with no annual fee. A $50 administration fee will apply. |
| Why does the Township have biweekly (every other week) garbage collection? Do other municipalities do this? |
| Research from across North America shows that moving to biweekly garbage collection maximizes the amount of food scraps being diverted from landfills and incinerators. Other municipalities in the Metro Vancouver region are using this collection schedule, including Surrey, Abbotsford, and Vancouver. |
| If you only pick up garbage every two weeks, won't there be an issue with smell, rodents, and pests? |
| Most of the material that will cause odours or attract pests will be in the Green Cart that is picked up every week. To mitigate concerns about odours, wrap your food scraps in paper, keep your lid closed, and put your cart out every collection day, even if it isn’t full. |
| How can I keep my Green Cart clean? |
Here are some tips:
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| Why wasn't my garbage or Green Cart collected this week? |
Common reasons are:
Look for a tag on your cart to explain why it was not collected. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, call Sierra Waste Services at 604-530-3939. If you are still not satisfied, call us at 604-532-3533. |
| Where should I put my carts for collection? |
| Carts should be placed within one metre of the road in a location that does not impede pedestrian, vehicular, or bicycle traffic. Examples include the end of your driveway, or on the grass boulevard adjacent to your driveway. |
| When did separating food scraps from the garbage become mandatory in the Township? |
| The Solid Waste Management Bylaw 2011 No. 4845 was approved summer 2011. The bylaw requires food scraps be separated from regular garbage. |
| I already compost. Why must I have a Green Cart? |
| Having a Green Cart solves the problem of what to do with meat, cooked food and dairy products. Meat, bones, dairy, and cooked food should not go in backyard composters as they create odour and attract pests. Check out our Backyard Composting page for more information. |
| Why can't I use compostable or biodegradable plastic bags to line my kitchen container or Green Cart? |
| These bags do not compost quickly enough for local composting facilities and cannot be accepted in municipal collection. Instead, use paper bags designed for food waste or wrap your food scraps in newsprint. |
| Once I have carts, what do I do with my old cans? |
If you have higher volumes of yard trimmings at certain times of year (e.g. leaves in the fall), we recommend keeping your 80L Green Can or Yard Trimmings cans, marked with a Green Can decal, for these times. If you plan to occasionally put out extra garbage using Extra Garbage stickers, you may also wish to keep a garbage can. Here are some other ideas of how you can reuse or upcycle your old cans:
To dispose of an old can, arrange a Large Item Pick Up* through Sierra Waste Services at 604-530-3939. *residents are entitled to 4 large items picked up per year by appointment. |
| I'm moving. What should I do with my carts? |
| Carts are linked to the property address and should stay at the property. Please clean out your carts and leave them behind for the next resident. If you are moving within the Township to a property that receives municipal garbage collection and there are no carts when you move in, contact us at carts@tol.ca or 604-532-3533. |
Other questions? Contact us
Email: carts@tol.ca
Cart Information Line: 604-532-3533