Garbage

There is no change to curbside garbage and recycling collection.

Litter (including used masks and gloves)

• We are seeing an increase in disposable gloves and masks discarded on the ground in public, especially in grocery store parking lots. Used gloves and masks are garbage and do not belong on the ground.
• Residents should dispose of all garbage, including gloves and masks, in waste bins. If you take your used gloves and masks home, throw them away in a garbage bin lined with a plastic bag, and be sure to wash your hands after
• Used paper facial tissues should be placed in plastic bags and can go in the green bin as per regular waste disposal practices.

At-home rapid antigen screening

• For residents in the City of Ottawa, rapid COVID test kits from at-home testing must be placed in a plastic bag and then placed in your regular household garbage. This will help ensure the safety of waste collection operators.

For information about on-site workplace rapid antigen screening, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca.

Collection information

How often is garbage collected?

• Garbage is collected every two weeks.
• Green bins are collected every week.
• Recyclables are picked up on alternating weeks (black bin one week, blue bin the next).
• Blue bins and garbage are picked up the same week.
• Leaf and yard waste is collected with your green bin.
• Check your Collection Calendar to confirm your collection schedule.
• Only non-recyclable items should be placed in the garbage.
• Not sure where an item belongs? Please check the Waste Explorer.

How many bags, items or cans can be put out? 

Residents receiving curbside collection can set out up to six items every second week on garbage day.  

When and where to put your garbage

• Put garbage at the curb any time after 6:00 p.m. the evening prior to your collection day and no later than 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
• Place bags or cans on the ground as close as possible to the roadway, but not on the sidewalk, roadway or on top of snow banks.

How to package your garbage

• Do not put recyclables, organics or yard waste in plastic bags.
• To avoid collections issues, please do not use shopping bags or small white garbage bags when setting your garbage at the curb.
• Do not use cardboard boxes for garbage. Cardboard boxes are a recyclable item and must be placed in the black bin.
• Make sure material is packaged or contained securely in a plastic garbage bag or garbage can to avoid loose debris.
• All garbage cans, bags or boxes should not weigh more than 15 Kg (33 lb).
• Separate all broken glass from your garbage and place it in a cardboard box clearly labeled 'broken glass'. Doing otherwise can result in serious injuries to collection operators
• Sawdust, ashes and other material of similar nature go in your green bin. NO hot ashes please.
• Add leaf and yard waste to your green bin. Do not mix leaf and yard waste, recyclables and garbage together.
• All carpet should be tied and bundled. Bundles should be less than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in length, less than 60 cm (2 ft.) in diameter and less than 15 kg (33 lb.) in weight.

Acceptable metal or plastic garbage bag/container

• Maximum 140 litre capacity
• Maximum weight capacity, less than 15 kg/33lb when full
• Maximum 90cm/35" tall, 46cm/18" diameter
• Two handles and a water tight lid. Container must not have fixed lids

Do not secure lid to garbage container with bungee cord/rope.

No loose garbage inside container.

Waste collection operators will not reach into garbage cans to retrieve bags as it could cause injury.

Do not place glass or sharp objects loose in plastic bags.

Examples of acceptable containers:

Maximum 140 litre can with wheels and removable lid 

 

Maximum 140 litre can without wheels and removable lid

Unacceptable containers

• Cardboard boxes must not be used as a garbage container.  Cardboard boxes should be recycled or used for yard waste only. *Exception*  A cardboard box can be used to dispose of broken glass. Place broken glass in a cardboard box. Close/seal/tape the box shut and clearly mark on the outside of the box "broken glass".  Set cardboard box at the curb with your regular garbage.
• Oversized and overweight containers (+15kg/33lbs).
• Many wheeled containers  are too big and too heavy when full. Containers must be less than 125 litres with no fixed lids.

Examples of unacceptable containers:

220 litre / 50 gallon container

240 - 360 litre / 50 - 80 gallon container

For more details on approved container sizes, visit the City's Solid Waste Management by-law.  

For more details on approved container storage outside of garbage day, visit Property Standards by-law, section 12.

Disposing of bulky items

You can keep your gently used possessions out of the landfill and help others. Check the item in the Waste Explorer for a list of charitable organizations that accept donations. Please remember to phone ahead before returning an item.

Christmas trees will be collected on the same day as the green bin. Please remove all decorations and place it at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.  Trees will not be collected if wrapped in plastic bags or if frozen in snow banks.

The City would like to remind residents that there is NO collection of green bin, recycling and garbage on the following statutory holidays:
 

Holiday	Date
Family Day	Monday, February 15, 2021
Good Friday	Friday, April 2, 2021
Easter Monday	Monday, April 5, 2021
Victoria Day	Monday, May 24, 2021
Canada Day	Thursday, July 1, 2021
August Civic Holiday	Monday, August 2, 2021
Labour Day	Monday, September 6, 2021
Thanksgiving Day	Monday, October 11, 2021

Recycling, green bin and garbage collection schedules will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week, with Saturday making up for the missed day.

For example, if your collection day falls on a Monday statutory holiday, collection would shift to Tuesday, a regular Tuesday collection day would shift to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, and Friday to Saturday.

Statutory Holiday Exceptions for 2021

There are no changes to the recycling, green bin, and garbage collection schedule for:

• Remembrance Day (Thursday, November 11, 2021) *NO collection delay during the week of November 8, 2021

Give Away Weekend has transitioned to giveaway all year long!

During Waste Reduction Week this fall, why not explore different ways to divert waste from the landfill while helping others? You may consider your local Buy Nothing Project Facebook group to give items you’re done with a second life in a neighbour’s home.

Buy Nothing Project is led entirely by volunteers and is open to everyone. Community members can join their neighbourhood group by searching for it on Facebook.

Declutter your home, help a neighbour and support the worldwide movement to decrease waste all at the same time.

Please note, the Buy Nothing groups are external to the City of Ottawa and you must abide by their terms and conditions.

You can also check items in the Waste Explorer for a list of charitable organizations that accept donations. Please remember to phone ahead before donating an item.

As the old adage goes, your trash might be someone else’s treasure so remember to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle every chance you get!

• Waste Connections of Canada Inc (WCC), previously Huneault Dump – 3354 Navan Road, 613-824-7289
• Waste Management Landfill, West Carleton Environmental Centre – 2301 Carp Road, 613-831-3562
• Tomlinson Waste Recovery Centre – 106 Westhunt Drive (Carp), 613-836-6069

Please ensure to contact the landfill directly before attending to ensure they are open, confirm their rates and materials accepted.

In response to the ongoing pandemic, the following practices and precautions are in place at the Trail Waste Facility to keep both the public and staff safe, and must be observed by all individuals attending the landfill:

• Payment is contactless (i.e., Interac, Visa, MasterCard, Amex) at the scale house to address physical distancing requirements.
• The public will be permitted to sort their materials at the small load deposit area, however – sorting materials in advance is recommended.
• Residents will be required to practice social distancing while in the landfill.

Facility Overview

Ottawa residents and businesses can dispose of waste material at this facility. The Trail Road Waste Facility only accepts non-hazardous waste generated within the geographic boundaries of the City of Ottawa.

• Household hazardous waste is NOT accepted
• Liquid waste is NOT accepted

An environmental assessment to expand the Trail Road Waste Facility was approved in June of 2005. The expansion will provide an additional 10 to 40 years past 2008, depending on how much future waste can be successfully diverted from the landfill. Documents on the Trail Waste Facility Landfill Optimization/Expansion Project are available to the public at the Ottawa Public Library.

Location and hours of operation

Please note: The landfill site is open to the public during the hours listed below. 

4475 Trail Road (off Moodie Drive, south of Fallowfield Road)

Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The facility will also be open to the public on the following Saturdays, from 9 am to 5 pm

• October 30
• November 13
• November 27

Sunday: CLOSED

Safety equipment requirements

CSA-certified green patch footwear and hi-visibility clothing is required for all persons using the Main Disposal Area or Small Load Area #2 (at the tipping face). Persons who do not have the required protective clothing will continue to have access to the Small Load Area #1. These changes are being introduced in order to ensure the safety of everyone on site. Should you have any questions, please contact the City at 3-1-1.

Landfill rates
Note: Rates are effective as of February 1, 2021

The Trail Road Waste Facility Scale House accepts the following payment methods:

• Interac
• VISA
• AMEX
• MasterCard

All landfill fees, except for the potting soil sales, are exempt from HST. Potting soil is available for purchase while quantities last. Please bring a shovel and containers for loading your own potting soil and wear appropriate footwear. 

Potting soil

Type	Price	Please note
Potting soil	<= 200kg (minimum) $8.60 >200 kg (per tonne) $43.00	Potting soil is available for purchase while quantities last

Garbage

Type	Price	Please note
*Residential, commercial, demolition and construction garbage	$116.50/tonne	Minimum fee applies <100 kg - Flat rate $11.65, otherwise charged by the weight in tonnes times the rate
Soil/fill, (top soil, sand, sod)	$28.50/tonne (<200kg minimum is $5.70)	Must be free of waste. Large quantities over 5 tonnes must be pre-approved. Please contact 311 for more information.
Fill (asphalt, masonry, concrete without rebar)	$56.00/tonne (<200kg is $11.20	Must be free of waste.
Woodchips	$39.50/tonne (<200kg is $7.90)
Stumps	$228.00/tonne (minimum $22.80<100 kg)
Farm waste	Free	As per definition of farm waste from registered farms only.
Mixed garbage,brush, cardboard or recyclables	$233.00/tonne (minimum $58.25<250 kg)	If recyclable content is more than 10 per cent in volume. Recyclables: brush, cardboard, metal, glass, plastic)
Asbestos	$515.00/tonne (minimum charge of $128.75)	As per Ontario Ministry of the Environment requirements. Appointment required. All vehicles must arrive on site before 9 a.m. The City reserves the right to limit or refuse the acceptance of asbestos at the Trail Waste Facility. Asbestos must be contained in a rigid, impermeable, sealed container of sufficient strength to accommodate the weight and nature of this waste. If the container is a cardboard box, the asbestos must be in a sealed 6 mil polyethylene bag free of punctures, tears or leaks which is placed within the box. The unloading of asbestos shall only be done in the presence of a landfill facility operator to ensure that no loose asbestos or broken containers are unloaded and that no airborne particulate is generated.

Brush/yard waste and recyclable materials

Waste type	Price	Please note
*** Brush and yard waste	$39.50/tonne	Material must be less than 4 inches or 12 cm in diameter. Larger source separated material is garbage ($116.50/tonne). Minimum fee applies if <100 kg. Flat rate of $3.95, otherwise charged by the weight in tonnes times the rate.
Tires	Free	Passenger and light truck tires Maximum of 10 passenger and light truck tires per day from any person Tires with rims
**Cardboard (black bin)	$56.00/tonne	Source separated cardboard (no garbage). Minimum fee applies if <100 kg. Flat rate of $5.60, otherwise charged by the weight in tonnes times the rate.
Metals	Free	Source separated metals (no garbage)
Electronic waste	Free	Source separated electronic waste (no garbage)
Glass, metal and plastic (blue bin material)	Free	Source separated glass, metal and plastic (no garbage)

* If tipping load is less than 100 kg, a flat rate of $11.60 is charged. Otherwise the load is charged by the weight in tonnes times the rate posted.

**If tipping load is less than 100 kg, a flat rate of $5.60 is charged. Otherwise the load is charged by the weight in tonnes times the rate posted.

***If tipping load is less than 100 kg, a flat rate of $3.95. Otherwise the load is charged by the weight in tonnes times the differential rate.

PLEASE NOTE:

• We do NOT accept liquid waste in the landfill.
• We do NOT accept hazardous waste at the landfill.
• Oil tanks/drums MUST be cut in half or perforated many times. If you are not equipped to safely and properly perform this work, please contact a waste disposal company to remove the tank/drum.
• Safety requirement: Steel toe boots and high visibility vests must be worn at main tipping areas.
• Payment options: Interac, Visa, AMEX and MasterCard. Please note: Until further notice the Trail Road Waste Facility, we will not be accepting cash or personal cheques as a method of payment.

The Yellow Bag program is a convenient and affordable garbage and waste diversion service for small businesses in Ottawa that generate smaller amounts of garbage.

Bi-weekly collection

Curbside garbage is collected every two weeks. Maximize your recycling and participate in the Green Bin program to minimize the amount of garbage you produce. 

Check your Collection Calendar to confirm your collection schedule.

What are the benefits of the Yellow Bag program to your business?

• The program provides an affordable option for the collection of your business recycling, organics and garbage waste
• It reduces garbage generated from your business with a focus on blue and black box recycling
• It lowers your waste disposal costs
• It leads to an increase in organics waste diversion through the Green Bin
• It helps our community save valuable landfill space and
• It shows your customers that you are committed to the environment.

Who can participate in the Yellow Bag program?

• Any Ottawa business that generates sixteen bags or less of garbage every two weeks can participate and
• If your business is located in a building with multiple business tenants, all businesses in the building must be Yellow Bag program participants and all of the businesses together cannot generate more than sixteen bags of garbage every two weeks
• Anyone can register on behalf of your building

What is the cost?

• Yellow bags are sold in packages of four for $16.40, only $4.10 per bag (effective January 1, 2021)
• No additional fee is charged to have recycling and green bin material collected 

Where can I get yellow bags?

The yellow bags are available at participating Home Hardware retailers and a BMR. Here are the Home Hardware retailers and a BMR where you can purchase your Yellow Bags:

Yellow Bag Retailers	Location
Trudel Home Hardware	140 George Street – ByWard Market
Morris Home Hardware	1226 Wellington Street – Wellington Village
Heron Home Hardware	1593 Bank Street – @ Heron Rd
Elmvale Home Hardware	1910 St. Laurent Blvd – Elmvale Shopping Centre
Trudel Home Hardware	329 March Road – Kanata
Stittsville Home Hardware	6001 Hazeldean Road – Stittsville
Richmond BMR	6379 Perth Road – Richmond
Capital Home Hardware	736 Bank Street – Glebe
Deka Home Hardware	545 Donald B. Munroe – Carp
Manotick Home Hardware	1166 Beaverwood Road., Box 970 – Manotick Mews
Leitrim Home Hardware	4836 Bank Street – South Gloucester

Bags can also be purchased at the following Client Service Centres by appointment only. Please select a location to book an appointment time:

Laurier Client Service Centre, 110 Laurier Avenue West

Nepean Client Service Centre, 101 Centrepointe Drive

Kanata Client Service Centre, 580 Terry Fox Drive

Orleans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Boulevard

How does the Yellow Bag program work?

• Complete the Yellow Bag Registration Form
• You may also contact 3-1-1 to have to the registration form emailed to you
• If you are approved, the City will contact you
• You will then receive a free blue and black box and green bin and a list of locations where you can buy yellow bags
• The yellow bags are collected bi-weekly on your blue box collection day. Check your  waste collection calendar to confirm your collection day.
• You can set out 15 containers of blue or black box materials during the week that each recycling stream is collected; and
• You can set out a maximum of three green bins every week

How to set out your garbage and recyclables?

• Place at the curb before 7 a.m. on your collection day (Check the waste collection calendar to confirm your collection day)
• Place garbage in yellow bag (not more than 15 kg or 33 lbs per bag). Limit is 16 yellow bags every two weeks
• If your business is part of the special consideration program (diapers and incontinence products collection), yellow bags must be used

The Yellow Bag program does not accept:

• Appliances
• Construction, renovation wastes from building alterations
• Tires
• E-waste
• Hazardous waste
• Liquid wastes such as cooking oils and grease trap wastes

Important reminder

If you have a legally binding waste collection contract with another company, you may be subject to cancellation penalties by participating in this program. Be sure to check with your service provider.

Recycling

Find information on what goes in the green, blue and black bins.