Here’s what you need to know as we start new cart collection
Our new waste carts are ready to roll across Waterloo Region! Here’s what you need to know as collection starts the first week of March 2026.
Over the last several months, we’ve delivered black carts for garbage and green carts for organics to about 170,000 residential properties. The new cart system is for anyone who has waste collected by the Region of Waterloo. Properties with private waste collection will continue as before.
Your collection day might also be changing, as we move to a four-day pick-up schedule. Confirm your collection day on our website.
Keep reading to learn more, or visit our waste carts webpage.
The basics
The black cart is for garbage:
- Collected every other week
- The carts come in two sizes
- The large cart holds a maximum weight of 90 kilograms or 200 pounds
- The small cart holds a maximum weight of 45 kilograms or 100 pounds
The green cart is for organics:
- Collected every week
- Holds a maximum weight of 38 kilograms or 85 pounds
Yard waste is collected every other week from spring to fall, opposite your garbage collection week.
Bulky items and appliances are now collected once per month.
Bags or liners inside the carts are not required, but may help keep your cart cleaner compared to putting your waste in loose.
Your green bin has a lock – keep it closed to help keep animals out. The truck will automatically unlock the lid when it empties your bin.
Remember, the Region of Waterloo no longer manages blue box services. Starting in March 2024, the province of Ontario moved responsibility for the recycling program from municipalities to producers. Companies that create packaging and other recyclable materials that go in the blue box are now managing that program. For information on recycling, visit the Circular Materials website.
Setting your carts out for collection
Park it – place your cart at the end of your driveway or boulevard.
Point it – arrows point to the street, the handle faces your house.
Space it – give at least an arm’s length or two feet (0.6 metres) of clearance on all sides so the truck can collect safely.
Do not overfill your carts – the lid must be closed for collection.
If you have more waste than the black cart can hold, use a bag tag and place the tagged garbage bag at the curb beside your black cart (not on top of it).
What about winter? Here are some tips for using your carts in the snowy months:
Clear a path to roll your carts to the curb.
To make movement easier, pull your cart behind you like a sled instead of pushing like a plow in front of you.
Place at ground level – not on top of or behind snowbanks or on the road.
Your new collection schedule
Waste collection dates are also changing across Waterloo Region, as we move to a four-day pick-up schedule. Watch for a paper copy of the new waste calendar in your mailbox to find your dates. Or you can visit our webpage to enter your address and find your day.
All households will receive garbage (black cart) collection on the first week, March 3-6.
Like before, set your waste out by 7 a.m. to make sure you don’t miss the truck. Collection typically takes place between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Important to know
Carts are the property of the Region, and are assigned to the address they’re delivered to. If you’re moving, leave your carts behind.
The Region of Waterloo offers services to help people who have excess diapers, need a medical exemption, or need assistance bringing their carts to the curb. Visit our waste page to learn more or call the Service First Call Centre at 519-575-4400.
Don’t forget you can use the free Region of Waterloo Waste Whiz app to check your new collection day, access the waste sorting tool, and stay up to date. Use the Waste Whiz online or download it from your app store.