Some Ottawa households will go 3 weeks without garbage collection as calendar changes this spring

Some 80,000 households in Ottawa will be waiting more than three weeks between garbage days. CTV’s Leah Larocque explains why.

Ottawa households will be allowed to put out six garbage items on their scheduled garbage collection day between March 30 and April 24, as a new waste collection schedule means some households will go three weeks between collection days.

The City of Ottawa says the day households put out garbage, organic waste and recycling at the curb could change as of March 30, as part of a new curbside collection contract.

While the frequency of garbage, green bin, leaf and yard waste, and recycling collection will not change, the city says approximately 80,000 households will “experience a one-time increase in the number of days between garbage collection during the transition to the new schedule.”

For example, garbage will be collected at homes in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood on Tuesday. The next time garbage will be picked up during curbside collection in the neighbourhood is Friday, April 10, and then pick up will shift to biweekly on Thursdays, starting April 23. Residents in Vanier North had their garbage collected on Monday, with the next scheduled garbage pickup scheduled for the second week of April.

“As part of the City’s first new curbside collection contract since 2012, updates are being made to reflect current service needs and growth across the city,” Andrea Gay Farley, program manager of waste collections, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“The new contract balances collection days with the number of households and required service levels to ensure reliable and efficient waste collection for residents.”

Gay Farley says a letter has been sent to all households to provide details about the new schedule, and the city will lift the three-item garbage limit on households during the transition.

“Residents may place up to six garbage items at the curb on their scheduled garbage collection day between March 30 and April 24, without the need to purchase yellow bags,” Gay Farley said.

“We also remind residents to continue using all waste diversion programs, including recycling and the green bin, throughout the transition and beyond, as these programs help reduce the amount of garbage going to landfill.”

The city says green bin and leaf and yard waste collection will continue on a weekly basis during the transition period.

“Don’t miss this week’s garbage”

Barrhaven Coun. David Hill issued a reminder to residents in his ward on Monday that many of them will see a gap in their garbage collection as the city shifts to a new garbage collection contract.

“Please don’t miss this week’s garbage, as there will be a gap in garbage service in April for all residents, in order to set up the new contract,” Hill said in a post on Facebook.

Hill notes residents in Halfmoon Bay north of Cambrian and homes in Stonebridge should expect changes.

“If you live on Pondhollow, you will put out your garbage, blue bin, green bin and yard trimmings Tuesday as per normal,” Hill said.

“The week following, on March 24, you will put out your black bin, green bin and yard trimmings, again - no change. However, the following week is the start of your new contract service on Thursdays, so you will put out your black bin, green bin and yard trimmings on Thursday, April 2. The following week, due to Easter Monday, will be a push week and so your Thursday pick up will move to Friday, April 10, when you will put out your garbage, blue bin, green bin and yard trimmings.”

“It is absurd”

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stephanie Plante calls the three-to-four-week gap in garbage collection for some residents “absurd.”

“I am in very stern discussions with city staff about this. I am not happy about this,” Plante told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal on Monday.

“They say things to me like, ‘But you still have your composting, you still have your recycling.’ And I said, ‘Hello, come any day of the week to Sandy Hill.’”

Plante notes many University of Ottawa students live in Sandy Hill, and bins at the community centre are “overflowing” as residents dump garbage.

“One thing I have offered is if the city will allow me just the space, I will pay for it myself, but just the space at one of our community centres to have extra bins between the three weeks,” Plante said, adding the University of Ottawa is “keen” to have student monitors to watch the bins.

The city did not respond to CTV News Ottawa’s inquiry on whether the city is looking at setting up garbage bins at a community centre in Sandy Hill for extra waste during the gap in garbage collection.

Plante says she is willing to “fight for a solution” to accommodate garbage during the gap in garbage collection between mid-March and early April.

“It is a huge concern of mine. The only people who are thrilled about this is the rats and the raccoons,” Plante said.

Here’s what you need to know about changes to garbage pickup

Why is my day changing?

The City of Ottawa says it’s moving to a new curbside collection contract, resulting in a change in the waste collection day for many residents.

When does it begin?

The new contract begins on March 30, and residents may see a change in their garbage collection day.

“There will be no curbside collection on Good Friday, April 3, or Easter Monday, April 6,” the city said on its website.

“As a result, collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of each week. The week of April 13 will be the first week without push days, allowing residents to confirm their regular collection day.”

Green bin, recycling and leaf and yard waste collection

The City of Ottawa says garbage, organic, leaf and yard waste, and recycling will continue to be picked up on the same day under the new collection contract.

The green bin will continue to be picked up weekly.

Three-item garbage limit

The City of Ottawa is lifting the three-item garbage limit during the transition to the new garbage collection contract.

Between March 30 and April 24, residents may place up to six items at the curb on their scheduled garbage collection day, without the need to purchase yellow bags.

How can I find out when my garbage and recycling will be picked up?

The City of Ottawa has sent a letter by Canada Post to residents outlining their waste collection day may be changing.

You can find out your garbage, recycling and green bin collection date on the city’s website at https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1/report-or-request/garbage-recycling-and-organic-waste/garbage-and-recycling-collection-calendar.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond

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