CURBSIDE PICKUP CHANGES
A new curbside collection contract for garbage, green bin, and leaf/yard waste will be coming into effect on Monday, March 30, 2026, and will introduce a few changes. The City will thus be sending out letters to residents in late February to check their updated collection schedule via the online collection calendar(Ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar).
Garbage, green bin, and leaf/yard waste will continue to be collected by the City. However, for many residents, the collection days or weekly set-out schedules may change. Residents will also be required to place leaf and yard waste in separate paper lawn/leaf bags or an approved reusable container clearly labeled “Leaf and Yard Waste.” This type of waste will no longer be accepted in green bins.
The frequency of collection, however, will remain the same, with green bin/leaf and yard waste pick-up occurring on a weekly basis, and garbage collection every two weeks. Holiday schedule adjustments will continue. For example, Good Friday (April 3) will push Friday collection, and Easter Monday (April 6) will shift all collections by one day that week.
Recognizing that this transition may be challenging and take some time to get adjusted to, each curbside household will be able to place up to six garbage items at the curb on their new scheduled collection day. This will be possible from March 30 to April 24, 2026. Even with this grace period, the City would like to encourage everyone to continue using all waste diversion programs, including the green bin and recycling, throughout the transition and beyond.
COLLECTION CALENDARS
In line with the September 2025 Update on the Provincial Blue Box Program Transition to Individual Producer Responsibility, which was approved by Council last year, the City will be transitioning to a fully digital curbside collection calendar.
As part of this change, the final paper-based collection calendars will be mailed to residents this year and will be valid from Monday, March 30, 2026, to Friday, April 2, 2027. The calendar will indicate whether each household is on Schedule A or Schedule B, reflecting the two alternating weekly collection schedules across the city. It will also include a QR code that is linked to Ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar help residents verify their collection day and sign up for digital reminders.
Collection information will continue to be accessible via the following resources:
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Ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar for email or phone reminders
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Ottawa Collection Calendar mobile app for Android and iOS
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Print-at-home option
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Paper calendars by request for residents without digital access
My office is here to support you with these changes moving forward. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email, or visit in person at the Ward office should you require any assistance or have any questions.
