Communal Collection

Most apartments and condominiums in Edmonton have their garbage collected from large shared brown garbage bins. Apartments and condominiums with recycling collection use large shared blue bins.

The Future of Communal Waste Collection

The way we sort waste in Edmonton is changing. Beginning in 2023, residents in multi-unit properties with communal collection will be required to separate food scraps and recycling from their garbage.

The Utility Committee will discuss this recommendation on July 9, and may forward it to City Council for a decision.

The recommended waste program includes equally accessible (co-located) collection areas for three waste streams.

The City will work with individual properties to implement the new program and will provide support to overcome challenges by offering different types and sizes of containers, education material for managers and residents, and other support tools.

Residents will not see a change to their utility fees as a result of this change. Waste Services is committed to low and stable rate increases over time. By including communal collection service in the regulated utility, the City can provide this enhanced service without significant rate impacts.

What We Heard Reports

To help inform this change, we gathered input from multi-unit residents, managers and service providers throughout Edmonton. The details of what we heard at these engagement sessions are included in these reports:

Program Background

The City of Edmonton approved The Future of Waste, Edmonton’s 25-year Waste Strategy in 2019. One of the goals in the 25-year strategy is to introduce food scraps collection to all multi-unit properties, along with recycling and garbage collection.

The Strategy sets ambitious targets for keeping waste out of the landfill. Full implementation of the recommended option is expected to help divert up to 8% of residential waste from the landfill, bringing us closer to our goal of 90% waste diversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

My complex does not have a blue bin, why not?

Interested property managers or condo boards can call the Waste Management Services Customer Support Centre at 496-5698 to arrange for the service. There is no extra charge for the program. When the logistical details are worked out, such as where to put the bin, the blue bin will be placed on site and everyone can start recycling.

Some apartments and condominiums have blue bag rather than blue bin collection due to specific site needs for blue bins.

If your building does not have a blue bin, your household recycling can be taken to a Community Recycling Depot.

What can go in the blue bin for recycling?

Most cardboard and paper can go in your blue bin for recycling. This is a great place to start. Flatten cardboard boxes to save space in your blue bin. Many plastic, metal and glass containers from your home can also go in your blue bin.

Recyclables can be put directly in your blue bin. No blue bag is required! Materials in the blue bin will all go to the City's Materials Recovery Facility where they will be sorted for recycling.

Refer to What Can I Recycle? or the What Goes Where poster to identify what should go in your building's garbage bin, blue bin and what needs to be taken to the Eco Station.

What does not belong in my garbage or recycling bins?

Garbage and recycling bins are for small household waste only.

The following items cannot be put in the waste bins and should be taken to the Eco Station or to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre:

Large items (furniture, sofas, mattresses, box springs, fridges, stoves)
Household hazardous waste (paint, cleaners, batteries, propane tanks, light bulbs)
Electronics (anything with a battery or cord, including TVs and computer equipment)
Building/renovation scraps (drywall, carpeting, lumber)

What can I do with large furniture and other items I can't put in my waste bins?

Unacceptable items should be taken to the Eco Station or to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.

If you don’t have a suitable vehicle for hauling large items, private haulers can be found by doing a web search for 'Edmonton Garbage Collection' or in the Yellow Pages under 'Garbage Collection'.

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	wasteman@edmonton.ca

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

wasteman@edmonton.ca

The Future of Communal Waste Collection

What We Heard Reports

Program Background

Waste Collection Changes

Waste Fees and Rates

Blue Bin Recycling

Additional Resources

Assisted Waste Collection

Storage Guidelines for Collection

Site Manager Responsibilities & Information

Educational Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about a specific item? Use the WasteWise search tool.

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