On this page
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.
Blue Cart Collection
Recycling is now collected and managed by Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WM), the collection contractor for Circular Materials.
For customer service regarding your blue cart, including repairs or service, contact WM at 1-800-561-1655 or [email protected]. Online information and customer service can be found on WM’s Guelph-specific webpage.
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. Through better sorting, most material in your grey cart can be saved from going to the landfill – learn more about sorting waste with the Waste Wizard, sorting guide, and Guelph Waste app.
If your grey cart is damaged, missing, or you would like to exchange sizes:
- Contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598; TTY: 519-826-9771 or [email protected]
- Damaged carts
- Provide your address and the cart’s serial number (found on the side of the cart).
- We’ll visit your home and repair the cart, if possible, within 7-10 business days. Please set the cart in front of your home where it can be easily seen and accessed during this time.
- There are no fees for repairs.
- Missing or replacement carts
- If the cart needs to be replaced, a non-refundable fee applies per the User Fee Bylaw. Grey cart replacement fees are $105 for 2026 and $110 for 2027 for a 240 L cart.
- While all grey carts remain property of the City of Guelph, fees cover costs for replacing the cart.
- Replacement carts are delivered to your home; they are not available for pick-up anywhere.
- Size exchange
- Households are provided one 240 L grey cart. Most waste placed in grey carts can be diverted to programs like blue cart recycling, green cart organics, yard waste, textile, electronics, and batteries recycling. Use the Waste Wizard, sorting guide, or Guelph Waste app to check how to sort better and reduce your grey cart use.
- If your household produces more garbage due to a special circumstance, please contact Solid Waste Resources for accommodation.
- If you have a smaller cart and want to change to a 240 L cart, or a larger cart and want to change to a smaller cart, contact Solid Waste Resources and provide your address and the cart’s serial number (found on the side of the cart).
- We’ll visit your home and exchange the cart within 7-10 business days. Please set the cart in front of your home where it can be easily seen and accessed during this time.
- A non-refundable fee or $45 applies per the User Fee Bylaw.
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, sorting guide, and Guelph Waste app.
If your green cart is damaged or missing:
- Contact Solid Waste Resources at 519-767-0598; TTY: 519-826-9771 or [email protected]
- Damaged carts
- Provide your address and the cart’s serial number (found on the side of the cart).
- We’ll visit your home and repair the cart, if possible, within 7-10 business days. Please set the cart in front of your home where it can be easily seen and accessed during this time.
- There are no fees for repairs.
- For broken latches, pick up a free latch replacement kit from City Hall, the Waste Resource Innovation Centre Administration Office, Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, Victoria Road Recreation Centre, or West End Recreation Centre.
- Missing or replacement carts
- If the cart needs to be replaced, a non-refundable fee applies per the User Fee Bylaw. Green cart replacement fees are $75 for 2026 and $80 for 2027 for an 80 L cart.
- While all green carts remain property of the City of Guelph, fees cover costs for replacing the cart.
- Replacement carts are delivered to your home; they are not available for pick-up anywhere.
Where fees apply for grey or green cart replacements or exchanges, payment by credit card is available over the phone. In-person payments are accepted at: City Hall (credit, debit, cash), the Waste Resource Innovation Centre Administration Office (credit, debit), Evergreen Seniors Community Centre (credit, debit, cash), Victoria Road Recreation Centre (credit, debit, cash), or West End Recreation Centre (credit, debit, cash).
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 green cart 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]
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.
