Windsor rolls out new waste collection schedule and alley pickup changes

Recycling bins seen in Windsor, Ont. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

Nearly 70,000 households in Windsor will soon receive the latest Waste Collection Calendar, detailing significant changes to garbage and yard waste pickup schedules set to take effect on April 1.

One of the biggest changes is a shift in garbage collection days. The city is moving to a Tuesday-to-Friday schedule, eliminating Monday pickups. This means that residents with Monday collection will now have their waste picked up on Tuesday, those with Tuesday collection will move to Wednesday, and so forth. The updated schedule is clearly marked in the new collection calendar to help residents adjust.

Jim Leether, Manager of Environmental Services at the City of Windsor, said the changes will align the collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste.

“It’s really to give the residents a nice, simple schedule to follow, so they’re going to be putting out, we call them each individual stream; your garbage stream, your recycle stream, your yard waste stream,” Leether told CTV News.

“We want to make it easy for residents to remember what day it is, and then just put it all out in one shot.”

Another key update affects alley collection. As of April 1, the City of Windsor will no longer collect garbage or yard waste from residential alleys. Residents who previously placed their waste in alleys must now set their collection at the front curb by 6 a.m. on their designated pickup day unless otherwise notified.

Collection in alleyways requires the city’s contractor to use specialized equipment, which drives up the cost, Leether said.

“This move to the street will allow our contractor to maximize their loads, get as much economies of scale as they can, and help us control our costs moving forward as much as we can,” Leether added.

Approximately 120 homes that are exempt from this change will receive individual notices confirming that their pickup location remains unchanged.

Leether acknowledged the change will be difficult for many residents, but the approach has been successfully adopted in communities across Canada.

“I hope that people can remember that we’re doing what we can to help control costs and control their taxes and modernize our waste management system at the same time,” Leether said.

The 2025–2026 Waste Collection Calendar is valid from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, serving as a useful resource throughout the year. It not only highlights collection days but also provides guidance on proper waste disposal, including how to dispose of bulk items and needles, as well as reasons why garbage may not be collected in certain circumstances.

Residents can access the updated collection information through the Recycle Coach App, the City’s waste collection webpage, and the MappMyCity garbage collection app beginning April 1.

For those who prefer a printed version, the Environmental Services department is preparing physical copies for distribution. Deliveries will begin this week and may take up to four weeks to reach all households. Residents who have not received their calendar by March 30, 2025, are encouraged to contact 311 for assistance.