Garbage and recycling
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Reusable containers accepted by food service businesses starting September 1, 2025
Guelph, Ont., August 28, 2025 – As part of the City of Guelph’s commitment to reducing waste and supporting a circular economy, effective September 1, 2025, food service businesses must accept a customer’s clean reusable food container for in-store food orders. This requirement is part of the City’s Single-use items reduction strategy and ban, which…
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City to pilot shared waste containers in Downtown Guelph
Guelph, Ont., August 21, 2025 – As part of ongoing revitalization efforts, the City has launched a pilot program to trial the use of shared waste containers in Downtown Guelph. Beginning on August 25, eligible Downtown businesses and residents can register for secure access to shared organics, recycling and garbage containers in three key locations:…
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Reusable container amendment to Single-Use Items Bylaw
On March 25, 2025, Council approved changes to the Single Use Items Bylaw. Starting September 1, 2025, businesses in Guelph must accept customers’ reusable containers for food orders, whether the food is eaten on-site or taken away. Alternatively, businesses can provide their own reusable containers instead. Key Points: This rule does not apply to food…
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Keep Mattresses out of The Landfill
Recycling Mattresses Services at Waste Resource Innovation Centre Starting Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the City of Guelph is launching a Mattress Recycling Program. This initiative aims to reduce landfill waste by recycling as much material as possible from discarded mattresses. Key Highlights: Launch date: April 2, 2025 Annual Impact: Diverting approximately 3,000 mattresses (65,000 kg)…
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City of Guelph receives $500,000 from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to support circular food economy
FCM Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant will help reduce food waste in Guelph Guelph, Ont., March 10, 2025 – Guelph has received a $500,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to reduce food waste. The funding will support three pilot programs: Food Redistribution: Starting this month, this project will…
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Single-use items reduction strategy: phase two now in effect
Shopping sustainably in Guelph just got easier! On March 1, 2025, changes to Guelph’s Single-Use Items By-law (2024) – 20938 came into effect. When visiting applicable businesses and retailers in Guelph, you should be aware of the following: You can bring a clean reusable drink cup for in-store beverage orders. Single-use accessory food ware items…
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The City of Guelph is recruiting for the Downtown Solid Waste User Fee Working Group
The City of Guelph is recruiting Downtown property owners and managers, businesses and institutions, and organizations with potential interest in coordinating waste management to join the Downtown Solid Waste User Fee Working Group. The group will collaborate with City staff throughout 2025 to: Help plan a new downtown solid waste user fee program in 2026…
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Paper shredder will no longer be available at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre
Commencing January 1, 2025 Guelph, Ont., December 19, 2024 – Beginning January 1, 2025, the self-service paper shredder at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre (WRIC) will no longer operate due to changes from the provincial Blue Box Regulation. Shredded and un-shredded paper is still being collected using the following options: Drop off shredded paper in…
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Tips for managing fall yard waste in Guelph
This fall, Guelph residents have four ways to get rid of their leaves and yard waste: Mulch leaves and leave them on your lawn for healthy grass next spring or use leaves – whole or mulched – to insulate and protect your garden beds over winter. From now until December 1, bag leaves or put them in…
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Blue box recycling collection in Guelph to transition to Waste Management Corporation of Canada in January 2025
Curbside collection will be maintained Guelph, Ont., October 21, 2024 – Starting January 1, 2025, Waste Management Corporation of Canada (WM) will be responsible for collecting blue box recycling including blue carts in Guelph. The City of Guelph will still collect garbage, organics, and yard waste as usual. WM has confirmed to the City that…
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City of Guelph asks businesses to support waste reduction strategy
In 2022, Guelph Council approved a single-use items bylaw that banned plastic shopping bags and polystyrene foam containers and cups. At that time, Council also asked us to collect feedback from the community about paying fees for disposable cups and reusable bags. We appreciated the community feedback and having heard that some community members supported…