The final phase of the graduated approach to the three-item garbage limit will begin on Monday, December 2. This means, any garbage above the three-item garbage limit must be placed in a City of Ottawa yellow bag. Items above the limit that are not in a yellow bag will be left behind with a courtesy tag indicating the limit.
More than half of waste set out on garbage day can be recycled, composted or even reused. Reduce your garbage items:
- Donate gently-used items to local charities, community organizations or your neighbours through your local Buy Nothing groups.
- Maximize your recycling and composting. There is no limit to the number of blue, black or green bins and leaf and yard waste.
- Get broken items repaired at an upcoming Repair Café.
Not sure where something goes? Use the Waste Explorer to find out.
Garbage container requirements
Garbage container requirements are in place to keep our collection operators safe and prevent injuries. Each operator lifts seven to 10 tonnes of waste and walks almost half a marathon every single day!
If you have a bin larger than 140 litres, you can continue to use it until May 2, 2025. However, your total garbage cannot exceed the total three-item garbage limit of 420 litres. The contents of the bin must not be too heavy for operators to lift safely into the truck. During this time, operators will leave a courtesy tag to indicate that the bin is oversized.
Garbage containers must meet the following requirements:
- Up to a maximum of 140 litres capacity
- At least one handle
- Weighs no more than 15 kilograms / 33 pounds when full. The weight includes the container and the contents
- Removeable watertight lid. Containers must not have hinged lids as these can swing back, possibly hitting and injuring our operators when being emptied.
- Be plastic or metal
Find out more about the three-item garbage limit and the yellow bag program at ottawa.ca/garbage.
