What if I have my own wheeled garbage cart?

If you already own a wheeled garbage cart you will be able to continue using it, provided it meets the City's specifications for collection by our existing garbage trucks. You will be charged the base rate according to the size of the cart, but will not be charged the annual lease cost. Once your cart needs replacing you may then lease a cart from the City. Annual rates are provided in the following table:

What size garbage cart do I need?

The City has reviewed our garbage collection data and that of other municipalities and found that customers place an average of two to three bags at the curb on collection day. Therefore, the 245 L cart should have sufficient capacity for most customers, as it is equivalent to 3.2 bags of garbage. However, customers that regularly recycle paper products, milk jugs, and yard waste may find that the 175 L cart provides sufficient weekly capacity.

The smallest 120 L cart is for those customers that do not generate much garbage. These carts, which hold the equivalent of 1.5 bags of garbage, are more suited to single occupants, seniors, and customers who recycle and compost all recyclable paper products, milk jugs, and yard waste.

What about extra garbage bags?

Only garbage that is inside the container with the lid completely closed will be collected. Extra garbage stickers can be purchased (at a cost of $2 per sticker) and placed on extra garbage bags, which can be placed on the ground beside the wheeled cart. Alternatively, garbage can be disposed of at the Mission Flats or Barnhartvale Landfills.

What about yard and green waste?

The City strongly encourages residents to take green waste to the McGill Road and Barnhartvale drop-off depots or to the Cinnamon Ridge compost facility. Grass clippings are banned from curbside garbage collection.

What if I want to change to a different size of garbage cart?

Residents whose garbage container capacity needs change may phone Public Works and Sustainability at 250-828-3461 and request a new container. A $50 administration fee will be applied for garbage cart size changes. This fee does not apply to residents who recently changed property ownership.

What do I do with the cart when I move?

When you are moving please leave your cart at the property you are selling. Each cart is engraved with an identification number which is recorded with your address so the carts must not move with you to the new address. If you are moving to a new house in Kamloops, please contact 250-828-3461 and staff will arrange to have a cart (size of your choice) delivered to your new address.

Where should I store my cart?

Most residents choose to store their carts in a convenient location such as their carport, garage, or at the side of their house. The footprint (dimensions at the base of the cart) is not appreciably larger than an average-sized garbage container.

I have lane service. Can I leave my cart in the lane on non-collection days?

No, the cart must be stored on private property. Many lane customers currently have garbage boxes on the lane side of their fences to store their garbage until collection day.

These boxes may or may not be compatible with wheeled carts since wheeled carts are not designed to be lifted in and out of an enclosed space. Nonetheless, it will be the responsibility of each lane customer to ensure that the wheeled carts are freely accessible from the lane for proper collection and to ensure that the wheeled carts are removed from the lane after collection and safely stored on the customer's property.

Where do I set out my cart for collection?

The garbage carts should be placed on the curbside with the wheels against the gutter, the curb, or at the edge of the roadway by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Lane customers, please refer to the question above.

What kind of garbage can I put in the cart?

All regular household garbage may be placed inside the carts. Anything that is placed inside the cart must be able to fall freely when dumped. Clean cardboard and newsprint is now prohibited in your garbage container, but rather should be placed in your recycling container. Grass clippings are also prohibited from either your garbage or recycling container. Other items that should not be placed in the containers include:

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the current recycling options available to them to reduce the amount of garbage they need to place at the curb. For more information on recycling options in the City, please visit rcbc.bc.ca/recyclepedia.

What happens if the cart is damaged, lost or stolen?

Contact Public Works and Sustainability at 250-828-3461. The City will assess the situation and make arrangements for you to receive a replacement or repair the cart. Residents are responsible for routine maintenance, including keeping the carts clean, removing the carts from the street after collection, and storing the carts in a safe place. Any carts that are stolen or damaged through neglect or misuse will be replaced at the property owners' expense.

What provisions will be made for disabled residents?

If you have difficulty moving the cart to your collection point, you may apply for City assistance. If you medically qualify, City crews will move your cart to the collection point and return it at the end of collection day. Application forms are available by calling 250-828-3461.