Garbage

Garbage FAQs

• What day is my garbage collected?

  For curbside garbage, recycling and organics pick-up schedules, reminders and collection notices, download the Campbell River Recycles App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

  You can also download a printable calendar, register for email, text or telephone reminders about garbage, recycling and organics collection notices under Curbside Collection.

• What time should my garbage be at the curbside?

  Please place your garbage at the curbside as close to 7:30 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Garbage may be placed at the curbside no earlier than midnight on the day of collection. After collection, bring your garbage containers back to your property by 8 p.m. to reduce attracting bears and other wildlife.

• What about statutory holidays?

  Recycling is not collected on statutory holidays.

  Collection moves one day forward after each statutory holiday.

  If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday – there is NO change (for example – Christmas and New Years Day fall on a weekend in 2022; this does not change the collection schedule).

• What happens if curbside collection is cancelled for my area for one week?

  On occasion, the City must cancel curbside collection due to hazardous weather conditions or a number of other factors. In this case, any garbage not collected will be picked up on your next scheduled collection day. If the City cancels curbside collection in your area, residents may put out an additional 80-litre garbage container (maximum 20 kg/44 lbs) on their next scheduled collection day, for no additional fee.

  Due to the unexpected nature of hazardous weather, there is not enough time to inform residents of any schedule changes, which is why the schedule is not pushed back one day for all zones, as happens when anticipated on public holidays. We understand that this may be frustrating for the zone(s) affected, however, this is an important part of the continuity of service for the community, and we appreciate the patience of those affected.

• How much garbage will be collected?

  The basic weekly service is 80 litres (maximum 20 kg/44 lbs) per week per household.

• Why is there an 80 litre per week garbage collection limit?

  The 80-litre limit is designed to encourage residents to reduce the amount of garbage they send to the landfill and to allow the City to continue to provide a financially sustainable and operationally deliverable garbage collection program. It is important to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to the landfill by reducing consumption, reusing where possible, diverting organics material by composting and diverting waste into the recycling stream.

• What if I have more than 80 litres of garbage?

  Residents can purchase garbage tags for $4.00 at City Hall or the Sportsplex or the Community Centre.

  Each single use garbage tag is good for one extra container (maximum 80 litres).

• What can I do to reduce my garbage?

  Make sure all recyclable items are in your blue bin. For more information visit:  Recycle BC

  Composting kitchen waste is also an effective way to cut down on garbage. To learn more about curbside organics collection, visit the organics page.
  

  You can also refer to your Yellow Pages EcoGuide for an extensive list of where you can recycle end of life products or, contact the Recycling Council of BC at 1-800-667-4321 online at: RCBC (Recycling Council of British Columbia). 

• Why is my home not included in the garbage collection program?

  This program is for single-family and duplex homes. These homes pay an annual collection service fee. The following properties do NOT receive waste and recycling collection from the City:

  • Multi-family or Strata properties (apartments, townhouses, and condos)
  • Trailer Parks
  • Triplexes/Fourplexes have optional service 

• What about Glass?

  Deposit glass containers should be delivered to depots for deposit refund. Non-deposit containers will be accepted for recycling by MMBC at participating depots, including Island Return-It Centre on Willow Street, and the Campbell River Waste Management Centre on Argonaut Road. Glass will not be collected at the curbside as it can easily break during collection, which contaminates other recyclables and is a safety hazard.

• How do I report illegal dumping?

  To report illegal dumping, please see the Comox Strathcona Waste Management website.

• Who do I contact for service inquiries or to report a missed pickup?

  To report a singular missed pick-up, please contact Emterra at 250-286-0211 to arrange a new pickup or for other enquiries. Bring your garbage, recycling and organics back to your property by 8 p.m. to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife. Yard waste bags or containers with no food waste can remain at the curbside.