Cart collection service

We provide recycling and garbage cart collection service to:

  • Single family homes
  • Properties with seven dwelling units or less including:
    • Condos
    • Apartments
  • Small commercial properties including:
    • Small businesses
    • Charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency that are not categorized or serviced as a multi-unit property
    • Places of worship

Some multi-unit properties may also receive cart collection service for various reasons.

Single family homes and small commercial properties will also have yard waste service.

If you have too much garbage, or your items are too big for your carts, you can schedule a pickup for these items, for a fee.

Accepted items

We accept garbage in garbage carts. In recycling carts, we accept:

  • Rigid plastic packaging
  • Paper and cardboard
  • Empty and rinsed containers made of glass, plastic and metal

Not accepted items

Please do not place your recyclables in plastic bags before you put them in your recycling cart, even if the bag packaging says it can be used for recyclables.

Hazardous items should not go into your recycling or garbage carts. This includes:

  • Aerosols
  • Batteries
  • Electronics
  • Automotive fluids & parts
  • Household chemicals with the hazardous symbols

    Corrosive hazardous waste symbols 

    ​Corrosive

    Explosive hazardous waste symbols 

    ​Explosive

    Poison hazardous waste symbols 

    ​Poison

    Flammablehazardous waste symbols 

    ​Flammable

Instead, please bring these items, in their original containers, to your nearest 4R Winnipeg Depot. If you are not sure what goes where, search for your item on the Recyclepedia.

Cart placement

If you have a back lane, your carts must be placed on an even surface at the edge of the back lane.

If you don’t have a back lane, your carts must be placed on an even surface at the edge of your front street.

Carts must be placed an arm’s length away from other objects or structures.

In the winter, the snow under and on top of your carts must be cleared, or they won’t be collected.

If you are physically unable to put your carts out for collection, you can sign up for walk-up service (conditions apply).

Collection schedule

Your recycling and garbage carts are collected every week of the year on your collection day.

Please put your carts out by 7 a.m. on your collection day. If they are not collected by 6 p.m., please report your missed collection.

The only days we do not collect are:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Remembrance Day
  • Christmas Day

If your collection day ever falls on or after the holiday, please put your carts and yard waste out a day later, for that week only.

Cart upgrades

The standard cart that most homes have is 240 litres. You can upgrade your carts for an annual fee. You have three upgrade options:

  • Option 1: switch your 240-litre cart for a 360-litre cart
    • Annual upgrade fee for a 360-litre recycling cart: $56.00
    • Annual upgrade fee for a 360-litre garbage cart: $132.00
  • Option 2: keep the original 240-litre cart and get a second cart, 240-litre size
    • Annual upgrade fee for a second 240-litre recycling cart: $64.00
    • Annual upgrade fee for a second 240-litre garbage cart: $143.00
  • Option 3: keep the original 240-litre cart and get a second cart, 360-litre size
    • Annual upgrade fee for a second recycling cart, 360-litre size: $70.00
    • Annual upgrade fee for a second garbage cart, 360-litre size: $152.00

You may select one upgrade option for recycling and one for garbage.

If you wish to return to standard sizes, or transfer your larger carts because you are moving, please contact 311.

Moving & your carts

Carts stay on the property and should not travel with you if you move. Every cart has a serial number and is electronically tagged, so carts can be traced to each address.

If you are moving to a newly built home in Winnipeg, please:

Missing or damaged carts

If your cart is missing, damaged or stolen, please report it.

To prevent your carts from damage or going missing, follow these tips:

  • Write your address on your carts
  • Move your carts back onto your property as soon as possible after collection
  • Between collections, store your carts in a safe place on your property
  • Don’t over stuff your carts with large or heavy items. Instead, schedule an extra garbage or large item pickup, for a fee

Cart cleaning

To keep your carts clean, we recommend:

  • Bagging your garbage (please do not bag your recyclables)
  • Rinsing food and beverage containers before recycling
  • Sealing diapers and pet waste in tightly tied bags
  • Rinsing your cart occasionally with water from your garden hose to wash off debris (leave the lid open after rinsing to allow the cart to dry)
  • Using an environmentally friendly cleaning solution (e.g., spray with a solution of one-part white vinegar, three parts warm water) to deodorize and disinfect the cart (leave the lid open after rinsing to allow the cart to dry)
  • Hiring a professional cleaning company
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