Through the Solid Waste Management Master Plan, the City has set a target of 250 kilograms (kg) of grey cart waste per household per year by 2030, and encourages the community to generate less waste.
In 2022, each household in Guelph threw out an average of 291 kg of grey cart waste. The City’s most recent residential waste audit showed that almost 45 per cent of waste in the grey cart should have been put in the blue and green carts, yard waste program and dropped off at the household hazardous waste depot.
More work needs to be done by the community to reduce the amount of waste households are generating to reach the 250 kg target, and that includes sorting waste properly, and limiting the number and size of waste carts.
Residential waste carts
Households receive one set of waste carts for free: one 80L green cart, one 240L grey cart, and one 240L or 360L blue cart. 360L grey carts are not available. Purchase of additional blue or grey carts is not available.
Holds 80 litres/21 gallons
Holds 240 litres/64 gallons
Holds 360 litres/95 gallons
Brand new homes
The City provides free waste collection carts for all newly-built homes. Please contact Solid Waste Resources to order a green cart for organics (there is only one size: 80 litres), a grey cart for garbage (there is only one size: 240 litres) and choose the size of your blue recycling cart (240 litres or 360 litres).
When your carts arrive
The carts may not be brand new, but they will be clean and ready to use. Please use a permanent marker to write your address in the space provided on the side of each cart.
Find a spot to store the carts on your property, away from the road and boulevard.
The carts belong to the City of Guelph and are registered to your address. If you move, please leave the carts behind for the next homeowner.
Waste cart repairs and replacements
If your cart is damaged, please contact Solid Waste Resources with your address and provide the serial number located on the side of the damaged cart. If possible, we’ll repair your cart for free, but cart replacement fees may apply.
Cost of replacement carts
- Large (blue or grey) (240 litres/64 gallons): $90
- Extra-large (blue only) (360 litres/95 gallons): $101
Price includes delivery and is non-refundable. The carts belong to the City of Guelph. Please contact us to arrange for credit card payment.
Broken carts or latches
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
Exchange your cart
If you purchased your home less than three months ago and you want to change the size of the blue cart, please contact us and we will exchange the cart for free. There is only one size available for grey carts (large) and two sizes available for blue carts (large and extra-large).
Otherwise, please purchase a cart exchange ticket. The $35 fee for each cart covers the cost of delivery and cleaning. Carts in working order that are dirty, dented or scratched will not be replaced or exchanged. You can purchase a cart exchange ticket at Waste Resource Innovation Centre.
To arrange a cart exchange
Please contact us with the serial number of the cart you want to exchange. The exchange will take place within 10 business days.
Please leave your empty cart(s) at the front of your home, away from the curb, visible from the street, and ideally accessible from the sidewalk. Please do not have any impediments to accessing the carts, i.e. parked vehicles, fences, enclosures, carports, etc.
Downtown waste collection
Downtown businesses and homes are encouraged to obtain and use a set of green, blue, and grey carts. Alternately, where this is not possible, public space containers are permitted to be used if waste is correctly sorted and does not fill or overfill the containers. Please visit the downtown waste collection page to learn more.
Waste collection for businesses
Please visit the waste collection for businesses page to learn more.
For more information
Solid Waste Resources
519-767-0598
TTY: 519-826-9771
[email protected]