Ottawa Garbage Schedule

Is Ottawa garbage collection delayed this week? Probably, it is the most asked question of residents this month.

Well, we have heard you! here is the quick answer to that:

Currently, there is no delay in the curbside garbage collection. All routes are followed as per schedule. The delay is only expected on the holidays as then the pickup is pushed to the next day.

To guide you properly, we have done detailed research. In this article, you’ll find everything regarding Ottawa garbage day, recycling schedule, yard waste, and large item pickup.

So, keeping things short, let’s begin!

1. The City Of Ottawa Garbage Schedule 2024

Curbside residential garbage carts are collected every other week. The collection begins at 7 a.m. That’s why residents must roll out the carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on their assigned day. Here’s how to find your Ottawa garbage day:

• Navigate to the city’s official website (click here)
• Type your residential address in the search bar
• All your garbage pickup details and assigned day information will be displayed

Keep in mind that the curbside collection is only delayed one day on statutory holidays. Moreover, if the holiday falls on a weekend (i.e. Saturday and Sunday), there will be no delay in the collection schedule.

2. Get Your Yearly Ottawa Garbage Collection Calendar

Now, residents can also download the yearly calendar for easy access. Though you can also request a printed copy from the city, it is best to get a PDF file. This way, you’ll never forget your trash day again.

Here’s how to download your garbage calendar:

• Go to the city’s website and type your address
• Then, after getting your monthly details, scroll down
• Click on “get a calendar” and download the PDF copy (click here)

You can also set a “weekly collection day reminder.” By doing so, you’ll receive an e-mail reminder or call prior to your collection day. The reminder service is available for all residents for free of cost.

3. Report A Missed Collection

If your carts are not emptied, then you need to report a missed garbage collection. The city will check and provide a special collection service within 24 hours. 

Call 311 or 613 -580 -2400 to report the missed pickup. Before you call, ensure the following things:

• You have placed carts on time
• It was your assigned collection day
• Your carts were placed properly as per city rules
• There were not any sharp objects in your cart

Keep in mind that the service will only be provided if there is no fault at your end. Usually, a ticket is placed on the cart lid if there is any issue with the garbage/cart or material inside.

4. Ottawa Recycling Schedule (Blue & Black Bins)

The Ottawa recycling program has been changed now. The recyclables are collected in two different bins, i.e. blue bin and a black bin. Both blue and black bins are collected every other week (alternate to each other). 

To find your next recycling collection day, click here. Here are the seven key rules to follow:

• The black bin is only for paper and cardboard.
• The weight limit for the black bin is 15 kg.
• All other recyclables must be loosely placed in the blue bin.
• Don’t put food waste in any of the recycling bins.
• The cardboard must be flattened before you put them in a black bin.
• There is no place for plastic shopping bags in blue carts.
• Never put any unaccepted item in the bin.

As for the rule of thumb, when in doubt, toss the item away. You can also check through the Waste Explorer. 

Accepted Items For Blue Bin Recycling

Unaccepted Items For Your Blue Bin

Items To Put In Your Black Recycling Bin

• Newspaper and flyers
• Magazines and catalogs
• Computer paper, paper pads
• Clean paper shopping bags
• Clean pizza boxes
• Cardboards
• Shoe and laundry detergent boxes

Unaccepted Items For Your Black Bin

• Cereal and cracker box liners
• Foil wrapping paper, bows, ribbons
• Paper and cardboard lined with foil
• Organic waste
• Leftover food
• Dead animals
• Wooden clementine and orange crates

5. Ottawa Yard Waste Pickup Schedule 2024

Yard waste and green bins are collected weekly. The green cart is for the organics, while the yard waste must be properly tied and cannot be placed in any type of plastic bag, including a biodegradable bag.

• Use common bread bags, milk bags, or retail bags for making compost from organic waste.
• It is best to leave grass clippings in the yard to get 25% of the annual nutrients.
• Leaf and yard waste will not be collected as regular garbage.
• All leaf and yard waste must be bundled using biodegradable material.
• Accepted items mixed with unaccepted items will not be collected.

Keep in mind that the weekly limit for the leaf and yard waste is 15 L. Put all the additional yard waste in your organic green bag and convert it to organic compost.

Accepted Items For Green Cart

Diapers and sanitary pads are not allowed to be put in your green bin.

Accepted Items As Yard Waste

• Branches, twigs, and hedge trimmings
• Leaves
• Plants and weeds
• Grass clippings

Unaccepted Items For Green Bin Or Yard Waste

• Plastic bags
• No earth, rocks, or sod
• Logs or stumps
• Tree cuttings over 10 cm

Christmas Tree Pickup In The City Of Ottawa

Keep the festive spirit alive as long as you want it. Place the organic tree on the curb either with your Christmas trash collection or till 12 January as your regular trash days.

The tree must be free of all decorative items plastic and must not have any snow on it.

6. Ottawa Large Item Pickup

Residents of Ottawa City can enjoy the spring and fall cleaning freely. The city’s Department of Public Works picks up large items twice around the year.

• Spring Schedule: Week of May 29 on your regular collection day
• Fall Schedule: Week of September 11 on your regular collection day

Keep in mind that it is the duty of residents never to place any large item on the curb 48 hours prior to the collection day. Moreover, it is best to donate or resell semi-used furniture or small home appliances.

Here are the 6 rules that you need to follow:

• Items that can fit into your regular trash cart will not be collected.
• Material placed in the cardboard boxes will not be picked up.
• Household hazardous waste will not be picked up.
• Clothing, textiles, or any medical waste is not allowed.
• The item must not be too much heavy. A large item that is too hefty for 2 people to pick up will not be collected.
• Electronic waste must be placed in a separate pile.

Moreover, all the leftover items must be removed from the curb by midnight of the collection day. Also, it is the responsibility of the residents to clear the curb after the collection.

Acceptable Items For Ottawa Bulky Waste Pickup

Unacceptable Items

7. What To Do With The Bulk Trash That Is Not Accepted By The City?

If you have a lot of unaccepted large items, there are only two options for you. Either you need to drop off these items at the nearest disposal center or hire a private junk hauler. 

Hiring a private junk hauler is easy, and with that, you don’t have to worry about the dirt debris or disposal fee anymore. Hiring a junk hauler will cost you anywhere between $450 to $650 for a full truckload of 430 lbs.

Here’s the list of the top 7 junk haulers in Ottawa that you can hire:

Company Name	Contact Info
JUNK GODS	888 -992 -5865
1-800-GOT-JUNK?	800 -468 -5865
Junk Ninja Junk Removal	613 -825 -0707
Waste Away Junk Removal	613 -979 -2783
Junk that Funk	613 -884 -0456
K.G. Disposal	613 -761 -8599
Call in the Dump Bin	613 -295 -3038

Before you hire a junk hauler, it is best to ask about the list of acceptable items first. Moreover, don’t forget to get an early estimate so you can find the best deal.

8. Ottawa Garbage Pickup Holidays 2024

Curbside collection is delayed one day on holidays. There will be no collection on the following statutory holidays:

Holiday	Date
New Year’s Day	Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Family Day	Monday, February 19
Good Friday	Friday, April 7
Easter Monday	Friday, March 29
Victoria Day	Monday, May 20
Canada Day	Monday, July 1
Civic Holiday	Monday, August 5
Labour Day	Monday, September 2
2 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	Monday, September 30
Thanksgiving Day	Monday, October 14
Christmas Day	Wednesday, December 25
Boxing Day	Thursday, December 26

Usually, only the regular trash schedule is delayed. Recyclables and bulky pickup happen as per the normal schedule, even on statutory holidays.

9. Important Contacts

Ottawa Garbage Pickup Phone Number: 613 -580 -2400

For the Latest Information: Follow the city of Ottawa on Twitter to get all the news about garbage schedules or delayed pickup due to weather conditions or statutory holidays.

Ottawa Garbage Schedule FAQs

Wrapping It Up!

Curbside residential garbage is collected every other week along with the recycling carts. The bulky collection is available twice a year. For items that are not accepted by the city, residents need to hire a junk hauler.

The collection is delayed by one day on holidays. For questions related to any of your trash schedules or to report a missed collection, call 613 -580 -2400. 

Resources:

• https://ottawa.ca/en/garbage-and-recycling/green-bin-and-leaf-and-yard-waste#section-422b11d3-a21e-4ad0-8b4f-2800fad7b1d9