Recycling Cart Collection
- What recycling collection service do you provide for single-family homes?
If you live in a house, duplex, or multiplex with seven units or less, we provide you with automated recycling cart collection every week of the year, including weeks with statutory holidays. - How does automated collection work?
From inside the vehicle, the driver activates a mechanical arm on the garbage or recycling truck to pick up, empty and return the cart to its location. - What are the benefits of automated recycling cart collection?
- Cost savings in the long term because automated collection is more efficient than manual collection.
- Fewer litter, odour and pest problems because the carts have lids.
- Provides a safer work environment for collectors. They will not suffer from the typical injuries that go with repeatedly lifting heavy objects into a truck (e.g., leg, back and shoulder injuries). Nor will they risk injury from sharp objects in garbage bags (e.g., hypodermic needles, broken glass, nails).
- What size is the recycling cart?
Single-family properties receive one 240-litre recycling cart. - I live in a multi-family dwelling. Will I get my own cart?
The following chart shows the numbers of recycling carts assigned to multi-family dwellings.
Number of Dwelling Units Recycling Carts # of 240L Carts # of 360L Carts 1 1 0 2 2 0 3 3 0 4 0 3 5 0 4 6 0 4 7 0 5
- How do I get a recycling cart if I move to a newly constructed home?
If you are buying a new home, we will deliver a 240-litre recycling cart once you set up an account with us: - by phone at 204-986-2455, or
- by email at utilitybill@winnipeg.ca
- How do I get a recycling cart if I move to an existing home?
A recycling cart would have been assigned to that address, so we recommend that you account for the condition of the carts at the time of the sale. If the carts are missing or need to be repaired, you will be responsible for the replacement of the carts. Please contact 311.
Collection Day
- What is my collection day?
- Your collection day will normally be the same day every week (e.g. every Tuesday).
- You can check your collection day online, or you can download our free My Waste app for your smartphone.
- Is there collection on statutory holidays?
- There will be collection on all holidays except Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. If these holidays fall on a weekday, your collection day could be one day later, and normal collection will resume the following week.
- This is what will happen, for example, on those weeks when Christmas Day (December 25, 2012) and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2013) fall on a Tuesday:
- Monday's collection → Monday
- Tuesday's collection → Wednesday
- Wednesday’s collection → Thursday
- Thursday’s collection → Friday
- Friday’s collection → Saturday
Waste Diversion Fee
- What is the waste diversion fee?
The waste division fee is: - $.14 per day,
- effective October 1, 2012,
- added to quarterly utility bills for those customers that have a water account with us,
- billed quarterly to customers that do not have City water and sewer service.
- What does the daily waste diversion fee pay for?
- The daily waste diversion fee was introduced to fund new programs that provide residents with more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle (e.g., curbside yard waste collection, a curbside kitchen organic collection trial, Community Resource Recovery Centres).
- Who is required to pay the daily waste diversion fee?
Owners of all residential properties, including: - properties with seven or fewer dwelling units or their tenants who are responsible for utility services,
- properties with more than seven dwelling units where the property owner has requested residential service,
- mobile homes, regardless of the number of mobile homes on the property, and
- condominium units that pay for utility services and where the condominium corporation has requested residential service on behalf of its unit holders.
- Can I opt out of City garbage and recycling collection service and not pay the daily waste diversion fee?
- No, for two reasons. The daily waste diversion fee:
- is not charged to cover the collection costs of garbage and recycling
- was introduced to fund new programs that provide our residents with more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle (e.g., curbside yard waste collection, a curbside kitchen organic collection trial, Community Resource Recovery Centres), ultimately helping our community reduce the amount of garbage that goes to the landfill
- What is the daily waste diversion fee based on?
- The daily waste diversion fee is per residential dwelling unit.
- The City’s Assessment and Taxation records are used to determine the number of dwelling units at a property.
- I am a renter in a single-family dwelling/house. Does this charge affect me?
- If the utility bill is in your name, you will be responsible for the daily waste diversion fee.
- If the utility bill is in the property owner’s name, the charge may be added to your monthly rent.
- I am a property owner with renters. What does this mean for me?
As the property owner, you will be responsible for: - ensuring the carts are available for your tenants, and
- the daily waste diversion fee if the utility bill is in your name.
- Can a property owner assessed with 2 - 7 dwelling units reduce their level of service and their waste diversion fees?
- Yes. The property owner can apply for a reduction in service (i.e., the number of carts and the service to empty the carts).
- Upon approval, we will adjust the daily waste diversion fee to reflect the adjusted level of carts and service.
- How do owners assessed with 2 - 7 dwelling units apply for a reduction in the daily waste diversion fee?
- Property owners or their agent can either apply online or download the printable application form and submit it by mail or fax.
- If the property is owner-occupied and not a rental property, there is no application fee.
- If it is a rental property, the application fee is:
- $100 for the initial application, and
- $30 for each additional change within 12 months.
- Who should I contact if I have questions?
- For questions about charges on your utility bill, contact the Utility Billing Centre, by phone at 204-986-2455 or by email at utilitybill@winnipeg.ca
- For questions or requests for service (e.g., large item pickup), contact 311.
About the Carts
- What are the cart dimensions and about how many blue boxes does each cart hold?
- Are the recycling carts easy to move?
Yes, they have large wheels that make them easy to roll, even over curbs, gravel and snow. - What are the carts made of?
They are made of a durable plastic material, and last about 20 years. - What do I do with the recycling cart if I move?
- Do not take the recycling cart with you when you move as it is the property of the City of Winnipeg and is assigned to each property address through a serial number and an electronic tag.
- Store the cart in a safe place for the next resident to use.
- If you have upgraded your service (i.e., larger size carts, additional carts) and you would like to bring your carts with you to a new Winnipeg address, please call 311 at least two weeks prior to your move.
- Who is responsible for maintaining the cart?
Residents are responsible for keeping their cart clean and secure. If the cart is damaged or vandalized from neglect, residents will be responsible for the cost of replacing the cart. - Where should I store my cart between collection days?
Store your cart in a safe place on your property (e.g., carport, garage, at the side of your house, just inside your fence). You must store your carts on your property between collections. Do not leave them at the back lane or front street. - What can I do with my old blue boxes?
- You can use your old blue boxes for your new yard waste collection service.
- If you have no use for them, you can drop off your old blue boxes at Winnipeg Harvest, 1085 Winnipeg Avenue. Blue boxes that are not reusable will be recycled and containers in good condition will be reused.
Winnipeg Harvest
1085 Winnipeg Avenue
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - Blue boxes in poor condition can be
- taken to any recycling depot
- broken up and put into your recycling cart
- What happens if my recycling cart is lost, stolen or damaged?
- You have to replace or repair lost or damaged carts unless the collector damages them during collection.
- Phone 311 to buy replacement parts (e.g., lids, wheels).
- To reduce the chance of your carts being damaged or going missing, move them back onto your property as soon as possible after collection.
| Cart size | Number of Blue Boxes the Cart Holds | Approximate Cart Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| 240-litre | 4 regular-size | 0.59 metres (24 inches) wide, 0.74 metres (29 and a half inches) deep and 1.06 metres (42 inches) tall |
| 360-litre | 6 regular-size | about 0.64 metres (25 inches) wide, 0.88 metres (34 and a half inches) deep and 1.13 metres (44 and a half inches) tall |
Carts on Collection Day
- How should I place my carts on collection day?
- Place them - Place the carts on or next to the street or lane with the wheels against the curb or edge of the road.
- Point them - Point the arrow on the cart lid to the centre of the road or lane.
- Space them - Allow one arm’s length clearance (one metre or 39 inches) on all sides of each cart to allow enough room for the collection arm on the automated truck to grab your cart.
- Return them - Take your carts back onto your property as soon as possible after collection.
- Why do the arrows on the cart lid have to face the road?
The automated collection truck cannot turn the cart around as it picks it up. Dumping the cart "backwards" can break or damage the lid. - Why do I need to allow space on all sides of the cart?
The collection arm on the automated truck needs space (at least one arm’s length clearance on all sides of the cart) so it does not tip over other carts or damage property (e.g., parked vehicles, fences). - Can I place recyclables beside the cart if I don’t have enough room inside?
No. Only recycling inside the cart will be collected. You must save any recycling that doesn't fit in your cart until the next collection day or you could take it to a recycling depot. These depots are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. - Do I have to place my carts out every collection day?
No. You can place your carts out on any of your collection days. - How do I place my carts in winter?
- Make sure the area around and under your carts is clear of snow.
- Do not place the carts behind or on top of a snowbank.
- Clear the snow and ice off the cart lids so that they open easily when the carts are emptied.
- Keep the lids closed at all times to keep the snow out of your carts.
- What if I am not able to get my carts to the curb or lane?
If you are unable to move the cart and have no one living in the home that is able to do so, you can apply for our walk-up service. - What do I do if I have difficulty placing my carts on collection day (e.g., due to trees, vehicles, telephone poles)?
- Allow one arm’s length clearance (one metre or 39 inches) on all sides of each cart to allow enough room for the collection arm on the automated truck to grab your cart.
- Place the carts so they are not under any low-hanging objects (e.g., trees, eavestroughs, basketball net).
- If you still have difficulties placing your cart, contact 311.
Cart Security
- How do you know which cart belongs to each address?
Every cart has a serial number and is electronically tagged, so carts can be traced to each address. - Can I purchase and use a cart from a home improvement store?
No. The collection trucks will not empty carts sold by home improvement stores. - Can I chain my carts to my fence in between collection days so they don’t go missing?
Yes, but they must be unlocked and moved to your collection point before 7:00 am on collection day.
Upgrading Your Recycling Service
- Can I get a larger size recycling cart or an additional recycling cart?
Yes. You can upgrade your recycling collection service for a one-time rental fee: - Phone 311 and sign up.
- Once your cart is ready, we will contact you to make arrangements.
- Once we have contacted you, you can pick up your cart from 1120 Waverley Street, or we can deliver your cart for a $25.00 fee.
- Details on upgrading your garbage service.
- Can I temporarily get a larger or additional recycling cart?
No. If you order a larger or additional recycling cart, you must pay a one-time rental fee. If you have extra recycling drop it off at one of the recycling depots. These depots are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. - What do I do if I want to cancel my upgraded service?
You can return your additional cart / larger size cart at 1120 Waverley Street, or we can pick up your cart for a $25.00 fee. - If I move, can you transfer my upgraded service to my new address?
Yes, as long as you move to another single-family property in Winnipeg. Please call 311 at least two weeks prior to the move. If we don’t hear from you, the next resident may report the cart as missing.
| Recycling Cart Upgrade | One-time Rental Fee |
|---|---|
| Option 1 – Switch the 240-litre cart for a 360-litre cart | $15 |
| Option 2 – Get a second cart, 240-litre size | $60 |
| Option 3 – Get a second cart, 360-litre size | $75 |
View City of Winnipeg – Water and Waste Department in a larger map
What can I recycle?
Don't sort them. Don't tie them. Just empty them and toss them in loose. And NO plastic bags!
- What items can I put in my recycling cart?
Plastic, metal and glass - all food and beverage containers (e.g., jars, cans, bottles, cartons)
- plastic containers with a recycling triangle (e.g., bottles, pails, tubs, jugs)
- plastic packaging with a recycling triangle
- leave all lids on containers and bottles
- newspapers, flyers, mail, magazines, paper
- all cardboard boxes and cartons (e.g., pizza, cereal, laundry)
- shredded paper can be placed in a full size (77-litre) clear plastic bag (this is the only exception to the “no plastic bags” rule)
- cardboard egg cartons and paper tubes
- What items can’t I put in my recycling cart?
- plastic bags, cellophane
- plastics without a recycling triangle
- plastics that are not a container (e.g., laundry baskets, toys, plastic cutlery)
- disposable coffee cups
- aluminum foil, foil pie plates, foil food containers
- foam cups, foam food containers, foam egg cartons, foam meat trays
- foam packing materials
- mirrors, window glass, broken glass
- light bulbs, drinking glasses, ceramics, cookware
- steel pots and pans, scrap metal
- What can I do with my plastic bags?
You can: - Reuse plastic bags when shopping.
- Recycle your plastic shopping bags by taking them to a store with a collection program. Make sure they are empty and free of paper and debris.
- Drop off clean plastic bags for reuse at:
- Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way
- Winnipeg Harvest, 1085 Winnipeg Avenue
- How should I put out my shredded or loose paper for recycling?
To help reduce litter, you can: - Pack the paper tightly in your recycling cart to prevent it from blowing away
- Put lighter paper between heavier items, newspapers or cardboard
- Put heavier items on top
- Put your shredded paper in full size (77-litre) clear, tied, plastic bags. This is the only exception to our "no bags" policy. We will empty the bags and then take them to the landfill site, as we cannot recycle plastic bags.
- Why can't I use smaller clear plastic bags for my shredded paper?
While most of the recycling is done automatically by machine, we have to empty the shredded paper from plastic bags by hand. Bags smaller than 77 litres might be covered by other recyclables and missed by the sorting staff. The bags would then be sent to the landfill site, and the shredded paper would not be recycled. - Can I put recyclables inside paper bags?
No. Our automated sorting machines cannot remove recyclables from paper bags. The recyclables and paper bags would be sent to the landfill site. - Why can't I recycle books?
Book covers and glues used in book bindings lower the quality of the recycled paper fibre used to create recycled paper. This reduces the value of the paper we sell to the paper recyclers. Instead, consider donating your books to used bookstores, libraries, hospitals or charities. Contact them first to find out what books they will accept. - Why can't I recycle foil products, such as aluminum foil, foil pie plates or foil takeout food containers?
Unlike aluminum drink cans, these products are not pure aluminum. They are blended with other materials and lower the quality and value of our recycled material. - Why can't I recycle foam products, such as foam egg cartons, foam packaging or foam takeout food containers?
There are no local recyclers for this product. - Can I recycle wrapping paper and tissue paper?
No. The paper is often blended with other materials, such as wax and metal, that can't be recycled. - Can I recycle dry pet food bags?
No. Much like wrapping paper, these containers are often made of blended materials. - Can I recycle frozen juice containers?
No. Much like wrapping paper, these containers are often made of blended materials. - Can I recycle construction or art paper?
Yes, as long as it does not have crayon wax or glue on it. - Can I recycle phone books?
You can recycle your old phone books by placing them in your recycling cart. Apartment residents should put their phone books in their recycling bins. Residents can also put their phone books in the "paper" bin at any of the recycling depots in the city. The depots are open 24 hours, 365 days per year. - How should I put my cardboard out for collection?
Cardboard should be crushed flat and put inside your recycling cart. Cardboard should be cut down to a size that allows it to fall freely into the truck when the cart is emptied. It should not be tied.
Cardboard cannot be left outside your cart, because anything left outside of your recycling cart will not be collected. - What if I break a glass container when I put it in my recycling cart?
Please remove it. We cannot accept broken glass. It is dangerous to the staff. - What can I do with my old blue boxes?
- You can use your blue boxes for your new yard waste collection service.
- Blue boxes, in good condition only, can be dropped of at
Winnipeg Harvest
1085 Winnipeg Avenue
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - Blue boxes in poor condition can be
- taken to any recycling depot
- broken up and put into your recycling cart
Paper and cardboard
For information on what to do with these items contact 311 or visit our web page for garbage that needs special handling.
Missed Collections
If we could not collect your cart, we will leave a tag with the reason why it wasn’t serviced.
Here are some possible reasons why your cart might not be emptied.
- Not enough space around the carts
The collection arm on the truck needs space (at least one arm’s length) so it will not tip over other carts or damage property. - Cart facing the wrong way
The arrows on the cart lid must point to the centre of the street. Dumping the cart backwards can break or damage the lid. - Overfilled cart
The cart lid must be completely closed. Otherwise the lid can be damaged when the cart is emptied. - Items on top or beside the cart
If you have extra recycling that doesn't fit in your cart, drop it off at one of the recycling depots. - Cart blocked
- on the ground (e.g., snowbank, parked vehicle)
- overhead (e.g., low hanging wires, trees, eavestroughs)
- Inappropriate waste in your recycling cart
If your cart was not tagged and none of these reasons explain why your cart wasn’t emptied, please leave it out and contact our 311 Centre.
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Last updated: April 22, 2013 |
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