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Background
The City currently provides collection of garbage and organics to properties and public space containers located within the downtown collection area shown below. Waste is collected each morning six days per week, Monday through Saturday. The City’s Waste Management Bylaw (2019)-20392 outlines the requirements the properties must follow to participate in the City’s downtown collection service.
As of January 1, 2025, recycling is no longer collected by the City, but service will continue to all downtown properties during 2025 as explained on our Blue Box changes in 2025 webpage.
For businesses outside the downtown, please visit the Waste collection for businesses page.
Complying with the Waste Management Bylaw
The City’s Waste Management Bylaw (2019)-20392 sets out the requirements of properties receiving City waste collection to provide adequate containers for users and to ensure source separation of waste into organics, recycling, and garbage.
For the purposes of the Bylaw and this webpage, a Property Owner is the registered owner of property, including leased premises, and the owner’s agent, property manager, property developer or redeveloper, or any other Person having charge or control of the property.
Ordering carts for downtown properties
To prioritize public space containers for downtown patrons and maintain a cleaner streetscape, the City has requested that properties obtain a set of carts for their own use. A range of sizes suited to small to large storage areas, is available as shown below. To request carts, or to discuss alternatives if you do not have space to store a set of carts, please contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598 or [email protected].
Holds 80 litres/21 gallons (equivalent to approximately one standard bag)
- Height: 87 cm (34 in)
- Width: 41 cm (16 in)
- Depth: 55 cm (22 in)
Holds 120 litres/32 gallons (equivalent to approximately two standard bags)
- Height: 96 cm (38 in)
- Width: 49 cm (19 in)
- Depth: 54 cm (21 in)
Holds 240 litres/64 gallons (equivalent to approximately four standard bags)
- Height: 110 cm (43 in)
- Width: 62 cm (25 in)
- Depth: 70 cm (28 in)
Holds 360 litres/95 gallons (equivalent to approximately six standard bags)
- Height: 113 cm (45 in)
- Width: 64 cm (25 in)
- Depth: 87 cm (34 in)
How to set out waste for collection
Please follow these steps to collect and set out your waste correctly:
- Collect organics, recycling, garbage, and large cardboard separately. For information on how to sort, use the Waste Wizard or download the Guelph Waste app.
- Break down cardboard boxes and place them inside your blue cart only if they fit inside and allow the lid to close. Alternately, you may bundle them together and place them beside your blue cart. If you must use a blue public space container, ensure that the cardboard fits inside while leaving room for other users to use the container.
- Set out your carts at the curb before 5 a.m. Monday to Saturday and retrieve them once they have been serviced no later than 10:30 a.m. Carts should be placed at least one metre apart, with the lid opening toward the street, and away from overhanging branches or structures.
- If you must use a public space container, obtain permission from the property owner first. If the public space container is in front of a neighbouring property, ask the owner of your property to coordinate with the owner of the neighbouring property. This is to ensure that everyone understands and agrees with the placement and number of containers. If more capacity is needed than the public space container can accommodate, contact the City to request a set of carts.
- Do not overfill or move public space containers.
- Do not place any waste other than bundled cardboard on the ground.
- During the seasonal patio program, location of your cart for collection may need to change. Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you require assistance.
Report an issue with waste collection in the downtown
If you notice an issue with waste collection in the downtown area, the best way to let us know is through the City’s report an Issue service and selecting the “Garbage bin issue downtown” option.
Downtown Renewal Program
The City is undergoing a Downtown Renewal Program to transform how our downtown looks, feels, and functions while preserving its unique cultural heritage. As part of this program, we are planning to update the way we collect waste from downtown streetscapes and eligible properties. A plan that includes updated litter containers to serve pedestrians and new communal underground waste containers to serve downtown properties has been adopted, subject to budget approvals, and is expected to be delivered in coordination with the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program.
Downtown Collection Area map
The City’s Waste Management Bylaw (2019)-20392 defines the Downtown Collection Area as within the bold line in the map below.
