Bi-weekly recycling starts March 1, 2021. More information about the change to bi-weekly blue bag collection is being mailed with the January utility bill, but if you have immediate questions please call our Waste Hotline: 780-992-6218.
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1. Why did the City decide to switch to every other week blue bag collection?
- Since the cart program was implemented in 2018, city staff and the collection contractor recorded a lot of households not putting their blue bags out every week. In some neighbourhoods, the collection truck would be driving around and have nothing to collect. Reducing collection frequency prevents wasted resources.
- Reducing the service level decreases costs. These cost savings are passed down directly to utility rate payers.
2. How do I know what weeks my blue bag is getting collected?
- Bi-weekly blue bag collection begins on March 1, 2021.
- Blue bags will be collected on the same weeks as your black garbage cart.
- Collection schedules for the year can also be found anytime on the Fort Sask Waste app. You can also download your collection schedule below.
- Residents can contact the Waste Hotline at any time to request a hard copy of the schedule be mailed to them.
3. I have a full blue bag every week, how am I going to last two weeks?
- Households that actively recycle are encouraged to continue doing so! Blue bags that are full prior to collection day should be stored and set out alongside the black garbage cart.
- Recyclables that are fully enclosed in a sealed blue bag can be stored outside (such as at the side of the house) if indoor or garage storage space isn’t feasible.
- Unlimited amounts of recyclable materials can still be placed out for collection on collection day.
- Households are encouraged to properly package their recyclable material to maximize space:
- Cardboard and boxboard boxes should be broken down and flattened. Small boxes (such as a cereal box, shoe box, small to medium Amazon box, etc.) should be flattened and placed in the blue bag. Larger boxes (such as a TV box or other larger, thicker packaging) can be flattened and placed underneath the blue box for collection on collection day.
- Flattened boxes should not exceed 100 centimetres in length or width. They should be cut prior to set out if they exceed the allowable dimensions.
- No odorous items are accepted in the recyclable stream (such as diapers, food waste, food-soiled packaging, etc.), and all materials placed into a blue bag should be thoroughly rinsed first. Foul odours should not arise as a result from storing blue bags for two weeks.
4. Won’t this lower the City’s waste diversion rate?
- Households can still place unlimited amounts of recyclables out for collection on collection day. For example, rather than placing one bag of recyclables out weekly, residents can place two bags out every other week. The same materials and the same quantities can still be recycled under this service level change.
- If you are currently putting non-recyclable items in your blue bags on a regular basis, your blue bags may not get collected. Following the City’s sorting list may cause a reduction in your overall blue bag materials if you currently “wish-cycle” but this is a positive step towards ensuring all blue bag items are actually (and can actually) be recycled at the sorting and recovery facility.
- View a comprehensive list of recyclable items
5. How can I get a hard copy of the updated collection schedule?
- Updated collection schedules will be distributed in the local newspaper by the end of February.
- Residents can contact the Waste Hotline at any time to request a hard copy of the schedule be mailed to them.
- Collection schedules for the year can also be found anytime on the Fort Sask Waste app. You can also download your collection schedule below.
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Curbside collection is provided to most households for recycling, organics and garbage.
Residents receive one green bin to dispose of organic materials and one black bin to dispose of garbage. Residents are responsible for purchasing blue bags to recycle other materials including cardboard and plastic.
Curbside collection occurs by zones and it happens in your neighbourhood on the same day all year. To find out what zone you are in, check out the Curbside Collection Zoning Map.
Download the Zone A Waste Collection Schedule Download the Zone B Waste Collection Schedule
What goes where
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Garbage (black cart)
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Black carts are collected bi-weekly.
All waste must fit inside your cart with the lid closed. Your cart must weigh less than 200 lbs (90.7 kg). You can take additional bagged garbage to the Transfer Station for a fee.
Items that can be placed in your black, garbage cart
- Band-aids
- Bottle caps
- Broken household items
- Bubble wrap
- Candles
- Cellophane or plastic wrap
- Ceramics
- Cigarette butts
- Cleaning wipes
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- Diapers
- Dryers sheets
- Elastic bands
- Foil
- Frozen juice cans
- Furnace filters
- Glass
- Liners from cereal boxes
- Meat trays
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- Mirrors
- Nails
- Nuts and bolts
- Needles (in a safe container)
- Plastic bags
- Potato chip bags
- Styrofoam
- Toothbrushes
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Once collected, household garbage is taken to a transfer site run by GFL Environmental before being taken to the Thorhild Landfill or Beaver Regional Landfill.
Second Cart
Residents can subscribe to one extra black garbage cart per household. The following fees and restrictions apply:
- $50 one-time delivery fee applied to your monthly utility bill.
- $12.25 per month fee applied to your monthly utility bill for collection and disposal of waste materials.
- Minimum 6 month commitment.
- LIMIT ONE ADDITONAL CART PER HOUSEHOLD.
For more information, please contact the Waste Hotline at 780-992-6218 or email Waste Services.
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Organics (green cart)
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Sorting organic materials diverts waste from the landfill and from your black cart, increasing its capacity.
Green bins are collected either weekly or biweekly throughout the year. Bi-weekly collection begins the first full week in November.
All organics must fit inside your cart with the lid closed. Your cart must weigh less than 200 lbs (90.7 kg).
Items that can be placed in your green, organics cart
- Bones
- Bread
- Cat litter
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Cooled, solidified grease
- Dairy products
- Dryer lint
- Eggs and egg shells
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- Facial tissue
- Fish
- Food scraps
- Fruit and vegetable peels
- Leaves, wood chips, yard waste
- Meat
- Paper towel
- Pet waste (loose or in a compostable bag)
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- Pizza boxes
- Popcorn bags
- Produce
- Shredded paper
- Soiled paper
- Tea bags
- Twigs
- Wax paper
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If you bag your organic waste, make sure to only use BPI certified compostable bag, paper bags or cardboard boxes. NO plastic is accepted in the green cart.
Once collected, organics are transported to the Cleanit Greenit Composting Facility in Edmonton where the material becomes high-quality compost.
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Recycling (blue bag)
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Recycling is collected weekly.
You are allowed unlimited recycling in blue bags. Or, if you prefer, you can put your recyclables in a small bin measuring between 45 cm and 80 cm in height and no larger than 60 cm in width, depth or diameter.
Please make sure recyclables are clean and dry before you put them in your blue bag.
Recycle Sorting List
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Acceptable
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Unacceptable
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- Boxboard (e.g. cereal and crackers)
- Books (with hard and softcovers removed)
- Bottle deposit containers
- Corrugated cardboard
- Flattened milk jugs
- Food cans & tins
- Hard plastic tubs, bottles & containers (e.g. shampoo, ketchup, sour cream, etc.)
- Magazines & phone books
- Newspapers & flyers
- Office paper, envelopes, craft paper
- Paper egg cartons
- Paper greeting cards and gift wrap (no tissue paper, foil, glitter or decorations)
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- All lids & caps
- Plastic bags, wrappers & wrap
- Styrofoam blocks, cups, packing peanuts & trays
- Non-packaging plastic (e.g. laundry baskets, lawn chairs & toys)
- Glass bottles, jars and containers (Accepted at the Transfer Station)
- Single use cups (e.g. yogurt, pudding & sauces) and to-go cups (from coffee, fountain drinks & smoothies)
- Shredded papers, napkins, tissues, paper towels & tissue paper (Accepted in your Green Organics cart)
- Plastic clamshell packaging
- Chip cans & spiral wound containers
- Non-deposit Tetra Pak containers
- Plastic dishware, ceramics & glassware
- Coffee pods & drink pouches
- Single use plastic straws & utensils
- Scrap metal and construction & demolition materials
- Electronics and hazardous waste
(check out our Special Collection Events, also accepted at Transfer Station)
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Please do not put plastic bags, Styrofoam or glass in your blue bags. You can take plastic bags and glass to the Transfer Station. Styrofoam is not recyclable.
Once collected, recyclables are taken to a materials recovery facility run by GFL Environmental to be sorted and then recycled or shipped to new markets.
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Your carts
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Cart use guidelines
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Please place your carts so that the collection truck's mechanical arm can easily access them. To make collection safer and more efficient, please follow these instructions:
- Set your carts and blue bags out by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
- Place your carts on the street with the wheels against the curb (facing forward).
- Keep your carts one metre or 3 feet (an arm's length) away from any obstacles (such as vehicles, trees, or other waste carts).
- Make sure the lid is fully closed. We cannot collect overflowing carts.
- Do not put any extra garbage or organics bags outside your carts. No excess waste will be collected, except during Extra Yard Waste Pick-Up.
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Storing your carts
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When it isn't your collection day, you must remove your carts from the curb and store them on your property. You can place your carts:
- Inside your garage
- Against the side of your home
- On your front porch
- In your backyard
- Against a fence
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How to take care of your carts
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To keep your carts in good condition, here are a few tips:
- Wash your carts (inside and out) frequently and allow them to dry completely. You can clean them with soap, baking soda or ammonia.
- To stop items sticking to the sides of your cart, line your cart with newspaper.
- Trap wet waste in paper towel, newspaper, paper bags or cereal boxes to avoid a mess.
- Wait until close to your collection day to clean out your fridge. Or, freeze meat, fish and other smelly items until collection day.
- Layer wet and dry waste to absorb excess moisture and prevent items freezing to the cart in winter.
- Control insects by spreading dish soap around the lip of your cart.
- Do not push down your waste too tightly. This may prevent items from emptying during collection.
- Store your cart in a dry place to prevent rain and snow from collecting inside the cart. Prolonged moisture in the cart can cause damage.
If your cart has been damaged through normal use, please call the Waste Hotline at 780-992-6218.
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Cart placement in the winter
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During scheduled snow clearing please place your carts at the end of your driveway within 30 cm or 1 ft from the road.
To accommodate snow clearing operations, residents should remove their carts from the curb in a timely manner. Snow clearing vehicles and equipment require clear streets to effectively complete snow clearing operations.
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Winter collection tips
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Please remember the following curbside collection tips this winter.
- Place carts a minimum of one (1) metre (three feet) apart from each other or any object except for nearby snow banks
- Do not place carts or blue bags behind objects, or on the top of/in snow banks
- Do not pack material into the cart, as it can become stuck. Reminder: in changing temperatures or with condensation, make sure the material in your cart is loose before pickup. Please shake the contents well or put a shovel down the side to loosen the matter
- To avoid organics from freezing to the green organics cart:
- Line the cart with cardboard or newspaper
- Wrap food scraps in newspaper or paper towels
- Create a newspaper liner for your food scraps container. Once the liner is full, empty it into your green organics cart.
- Use certified BPI compostable bags
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Still have questions?
Check out our Waste & Recycling FAQs or call the Waste Hotline at 780-992-6218.
