Data on garbage collection shows compliance with new rules in Ottawa

Less than 2 per cent of properties that receive curbside collection in Ottawa are not complying with the new three-limit item rule, according to data from the city.

In a memo from Shelley McDonald, director of solid waste services, the first week of the new rules (Sept. 30 to Oct. 4) resulted in 1.81 per cent of properties having too many garbage bags over the limit. The city notes that 0.42 per cent were tagged by collectors as having oversized bins.

During the first week, all garbage was picked up even if the rules were not followed, but all properties that didn’t comply were given a notice.

In the weeks that followed of the 155,676 properties that received curbside collection more were following the rules.

By the fourth week (Oct. 21 to 25) less than 0.15 per cent of properties had tags for over the limit and 0.31 per cent were tagged for oversized bins.

“A reminder that if a bin over the 140L limit is used for garbage set-out, or if properties set out an amount over the three-item garbage limit during the month of November, Solid Waste staff will leave a courtesy tag,” McDonald said in the memo.

Council gave staff direction to continue tagging bins over 140 litres until May 2 to allow people to buy new bins.

If households are above the new three-item garbage bag limit residents can use a yellow bag instead. There are no limits on the number of yellow bags out on the curb or the number purchased.

City council approved a new Solid Waste Master Plan in June 2024, that will guide how the city sustainably manages solid waste over the next 30 years.

While Ottawa’s population is forecasted to reach 1.5 million by 2053, the amount of waste is expected to rise by 31 per cent.

Based on data, the municipality estimates that the Trail Waste Facility landfill will reach capacity between 2034 and 2035, if resident’s disposal habits remain unchanged.