Three-item waste limit coming to Ottawa this fall

The City of Ottawa is introducing a three-item limit for curbside waste collection beginning September 30.

Residents whose waste is collected in one shared location and those living on agricultural properties are included in this three-item maximum.

While a six-item waste collection limit was implemented in 2007, this limit has been more generous than many municipalities, said the city.

“The new limit helps us extend the life of our Trail Road Waste Facility Landfill as we explore new options for waste disposal,” the municipality said on its website.

According to the City of Ottawa, the following are considered an item in the new three-item garbage limit:

• A plastic waste bag
• A bin with a maximum capacity of up to 140 litres —households can put several waste bags in a bin as long as the weight is less than 33 pounds (15 kilos) per bin.
• Furniture or bulky items that can’t be re-used or donated

Examples of acceptable three-item combinations include:

• One 140-litre bin, a plastic waste bag and a broken chair 
• Three 140-litre bins 
• Three plastic waste bags
• Two 140-litre bins and one broken vacuum

There continues to be no limit on how much residents can dispose via green, blue and black bins.

Additionally, leaf and yard waste disposed in paper leaf and yard waste bags are not included in the limit.

Residents who must go above the three-item limit can purchase yellow bags at participating retailers — including Home Hardware stores and Building Centres later this year — for $17.60 for a package of four, said staff.

The city is reminding residents there is no limit on the number of yellow bags that are set out for collection.

The waste limit will apply to those living in residential homes on agricultural properties who receive curbside collection.

An exemption is available for agricultural properties participating in all waste diversion programs — including blue, black, and weekly green bin programs — where residents can set out farm waste without needing a yellow bag from April 1 to May 31.

Residents who require disposal of special items, such as home healthcare waste and diapers, can visit the garbage and recycling webpage for more information.