Curbside Collection

• Place collection bins at the curb (or back alleyway, if applicable) by 7:30 a.m. on your collection day
• Face bins towards the road and hinges pointing towards the home.
• Space bins at least 3 ft. (1 metre) from cars and 1 ft. (30 cm) from other bins.
• On streets with parking congestion, pull bins away from the curb and into the roadway, just past parked vehicles but no further than the side view mirrors on vehicles.
• Ensure lids are firmly closed.
• Place materials in the correct bins
• Avoid putting collection bins out the night before their collection.

• Place bins in front of windrows, never on top of snowbanks.

• Keep bin lids free of snow and ice.

• Clear snow and ice from the curb, driveway, or lane where bins are placed.

• Ensure a clear path so crews can safely access your bins.

⚠️ Bins blocked by snow, ice, or windrows may not be collected.

Some homes receive garbage and recycling collection from the alley behind their property. To see if this applies to you, check the back-alley collection map.

Placement guidelines:

• Place bins on your property: beside/in front of your garage or at the edge of your back alley.

• Face bins correctly: hinges and wheels toward your home (arrows on the bin show the right direction).

• Leave space:

  • 3 ft. (1 m) from parked vehicles

  • 1 ft. (30 cm) from other bins

  • 3 ft. (1 m) from buildings or overhangs

First, check if your bin met all collection requirements:

• Was it at the curb by 7:30 a.m.?

• Was it placed correctly and not blocked by vehicles, snow, or ice?

• Did it contain only the right materials (no garbage in recycling, no hazardous or electronic waste)?

• Was the correct colour recycling bin placed out that week?

If any of these requirements weren’t met, your bin will need to be collected on your next scheduled collection day.

If you did everything correctly and your collection was still missed, please contact Pulse for assistance.

If you did everything correctly and your collection was still missed, please contact Pulse for assistance.

Collection may be skipped if:

• Bins are not correctly placed for pick up
• There is wrong material in the bin (garbage in the recycling)
• A parked vehicle was too close for collectors to collect bins
• The wrong colour recycling bin was presented
• There was hazardous waste or electronic waste present in the bin
• Bins were not placed at the curb by 7:30 a.m.

Tags may be left to thank you for correct use, or to explain why collection wasn’t possible (for example, wrong items in the bin, blocked access, or hazardous materials).

If you receive a reminder tag, please correct the issue and place your bin out again on your next scheduled collection day.

Use the Collection Calendar to see whether it’s a light blue (mixed recycling) or dark blue (cardboard) week.

Radio frequency identification is a type of tracking system that uses smart barcodes to identify curbside collection bins. Once installed and programmed, crews will be able to use a web-based system to track collection bins and improve collection services.

RFID tags are not intended to track your recycling habits, weigh your waste or increase collection charges.

The tags are simply a white paper strip that are applied to your existing bins. They are approximately 10 cm (4 inches) long and 1.5 cm (1/2 an inch) wide. Inside each strip is a battery-free chip that contains integrated circuit and antennae. 

The Municipality has several strategic priorities and values as defined by Mayor and Council. These priorities and values guide decision making and long-term planning, so we can support the vision of a vibrant, sustainable region we are proud to call home. This program is intended to support strategic priorities including responsible government, accountability, fiscal responsibility, customer service, integrity and working together.

The Municipality is always looking for opportunities to cut costs, spend wisely and make informed decisions. The RFID tag program aligns with these strategies and supports the Municipality's mission of delivering excellence – every day.

Our priority is to provide reliable, efficient curbside collection services to residents. Education is our focus, so all residents have a clear understanding of the system and an awareness of their responsibilities.

The Municipality does NOT intend to fine residents for improper sorting or bin placement.

Please keep in mind that crews may NOT be able to collect bins if they are not properly placed, or if waste is not securely contained in the bins. In addition, there is a Solid Waste Bylaw, and residents going against this bylaw could be fined or charged clean-up costs. More specific information is available here: Solid Waste Bylaw No. 07/043.

Please do not peel off or adjust the tags, as they could become damaged and not function properly.

Should you notice an issue with your tag, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, or 1-800-973-9663 (toll free).

Should you remove your tag intentionally, the RFID software will see this error and create an alert on the web-based system. You could be charged for replacement of the tags if they are tampered with.

No. Bins are assigned to your residence and remain the property of the Municipality. They must stay at the address they are assigned to.

If you move to a new home within the region, or leave the region, please leave the bins at your current residence.

If you live in a condo, apartment, or multi-unit building, your waste and recycling are usually collected through a private service provider arranged by your property manager.

In addition, you can use:

• Municipal recycling depots – convenient drop-off sites for common recyclables.

• The Public Drop-off at the Municipal Landfill – for recyclables, hazardous waste, electronics, and more.