The City of Guelph is working toward a big goal: reducing grey cart waste to 250 kg per household per year by 2030. Right now, we’re averaging 291 kg, so there’s still work to do. A recent residential waste audit found that about 45% of what’s in the grey cart could have been sorted elsewhere—into the blue or green carts, the yard waste program, or dropped off at the household hazardous waste depot.
Sorting your waste helps ensure recyclable and compostable materials stay out of landfills.
Carts Provided by the City of Guelph
Each household in Guelph receives:
- 1 green cart (80 litres) for organics
- 1 grey cart (240 litres) for garbage
These are provided by the City of Guelph.
On this page
Blue Cart Collection
As of 2025, Circular Materials oversees recycling across Ontario. In Guelph, they’ve contracted Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WM) to handle blue cart collection.
- Blue carts are now provided and maintained by WM.
- For repairs or service, contact WM’s customer service at 1-800-561-1655 or
[email protected].
Cart Information
Grey carts
Holds 240 litres/64 gallons
Grey carts are for garbage, which excludes recyclable and organic waste. The waste collected from grey bins is taken to the landfill.
If your grey cart is damaged:
- Contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598; TTY: 519-826-9771 or
[email protected] - Provide your address and the cart’s serial number (found on the side of the cart).
- Repair
- If possible, we’ll repair your cart free of charge.
- Replacement
- If the cart cannot be repaired, a replacement may be required.
- Cost to replace a large grey cart (240L/64 gal): $100
- This fee includes delivery and is non-refundable.
Note: Grey carts are the property of the City of Guelph. Please contact us to arrange credit card payment if a replacement is needed.
Green Carts
Holds 80 litres/21 gallons
Green carts are for organic waste, such as food scraps, paper towels and tissues. Organic waste from your green cart is turned into compost at Guelph’s Organic Waste Processing Facility. Want to learn more about what can go in your carts? Check out the Waste Wizard and sorting guide.
If your green cart is damaged:
- Contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598; TTY: 519-826-9771 or
[email protected]- Provide your address and the cart’s serial number (found on the side of the cart).
- Repair
- If possible, we’ll repair your cart free of charge.
- Replacement
- There is no cost to replace a green cart at this time.
Note: Green carts are the property of the City of Guelph and are registered to your address. Please contact us to arrange credit card payment if a replacement is needed.
Blue carts:
For all repairs, replacements and questions related to blue carts, please contact WM:
WM Recycling Services in Guelph
1-800-561-1655
[email protected]
Frequently asked questions
Can I purchase additional carts?
No, additional carts are not available for purchase. However, residents can bring extra waste to the Waste Resource Innovation Centre at 110 Dunlop Drive for a fee.
What if I’ve moved?
- Just moved in? Contact Solid Waste Resources to order your green and grey carts.
- Moving out? Please leave the carts behind. They are registered to the property and belong to the City or WM.
How to properly store waste carts
Find a spot to store the carts on your property, away from the road and boulevard. Please use a permanent marker to write your address in the space provided on the side of each cart.
Where do I get latch replacements
You can pick up a replacement latch for free at:
- Evergreen Seniors Community Centre
- ServiceGuelph, City Hall
- Victoria Road Recreation Centre
- Waste Resource Innovation Centre
- West End Community Centre
Resources
Contact
Solid Waste Resources
519-767-0598; TTY: 519-826-9771
[email protected]
- Blue box changes in 2025
- Clothing donation locations
- Compost at home or at work
- Construction, Renovation and Demolition Waste Management Guidebook
- Donate plastic bags and reusable shopping bags
- Downtown Solid Waste User Fee Study
- Downtown waste collection
- Goods Exchange Weekends in Guelph
- How to dispose of furniture, appliances, large items
- How to dispose of household hazardous waste
- How to dispose of restaurant grease and oil
- How to sort garbage and recycling in Guelph
- Multi-residential waste collection
- ReCycle your bike, or get a used bike free
- Single-use items reduction strategy and ban
- Waste Resource Innovation Centre
- Waste cart orders and repairs
- Waste collection for businesses
- Waste collection schedule
- What happens to Guelph’s waste?
- Yard waste
Guelph Waste app
Use the Guelph Waste app to sign up for email or phone reminders about your waste collection schedule.
Download the free mobile app for Apple or Google devices.
