Understanding the Ottawa Garbage Limit & Current Bag Limit
Ottawa has a new garbage limit policy in place, and it’s important for homeowners to know the details. Basically, the city is moving towards a 3-item garbage limit system in Ottawa for regular curbside collection. This means that on your regular garbage day, you can put out your blue bin for recycling, your green bin for organic waste, and then up to three items of actual garbage. These items can be a standard garbage bag, a container up to 140 litres (that weighs no more than 33 pounds), or a bulky item that doesn’t fit in a bag or container. It’s not strictly an Ottawa garbage bag limit, but more of an item count. If you have more than three items of garbage, you’ll need to use special yellow bags, which you can buy. These yellow bags are for waste that can’t be recycled or composted. The city is doing this to try and reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.
Why Ottawa Introduced a Garbage Limit Policy
The main reason behind the Ottawa garbage collection limit is to manage the city’s waste more sustainably. Ottawa’s landfill, the Trail Road Waste Facility, is expected to reach capacity in the coming years if current waste disposal habits don’t change. The city council approved a Solid Waste Master Plan to tackle this. The goal is to divert more waste from the landfill, recover resources, and dispose of what’s left in a way that’s better for the environment. This new policy is part of a larger plan that aims to reduce waste significantly and extend the life of the landfill. It’s also about cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions, which is a big plus for the environment. The city wants to make sure waste management is handled responsibly as Ottawa continues to grow.
The new rules are designed to encourage more recycling and composting, thereby reducing the volume of trash sent to the landfill. It’s a shift towards a more circular economy for waste management in the city.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what counts as an “item” for the garbage limit:
- Garbage Bag: A standard bag filled with waste.
- Garbage Container: A bin or container (up to 140 litres) holding garbage. Several smaller bags can go inside one container.
- Bulky Item: Larger items like furniture or appliances that don’t fit in bags or containers.
Remember, Ottawa recycling bin limits and green bin limits are separate and don’t count towards your three garbage items. The Ottawa bylaws garbage section covers these details.
What You Can and Cannot Put Out on Collection Day
So, you’ve got your bins ready and you’re wondering what exactly goes where on garbage day. It can get a little confusing with the new rules, but let’s break it down. The city’s new policy is all about managing waste better, and understanding what’s allowed is key to avoiding a “courtesy tag” on your bin.
Items Allowed Under the Ottawa Garbage Limit
Basically, you can put out your regular recycling (blue bin), your compost (green bin), and yard waste. These don’t count towards your limit. On top of that, you’re allowed up to three additional items of garbage per household. What counts as an “item”? It can be:
- A standard garbage bag.
- A container (like a bin or can) that’s no bigger than 140 litres and weighs no more than 33 pounds when full. This includes the weight of the container itself. These containers need to have at least one handle and be made of plastic or metal.
- A bulky item, like a couch, a mattress, or a rolled-up carpet. Yes, even big stuff counts as one item.
So, if you have a few small bags of trash, you can put them inside one compliant container, and that counts as just one item. Pretty straightforward, right?
Items Not Accepted and Often Left Behind by City Collectors
This is where things can get tricky. If you have more than three items of garbage, or if your items don’t meet the size and weight requirements, they won’t be picked up. This includes:
- Garbage bags or containers that exceed the three-item limit.
- Any container over 140 litres or weighing more than 33 pounds.
- Items that are not properly contained or secured make it difficult or unsafe for collection crews to handle.
If your waste isn’t collected, you’ll likely find a “courtesy tag” explaining the issue. You’ll then be responsible for disposing of that extra waste yourself. It’s really important to make sure your bins and bags are compliant before collection day.
The goal is to encourage everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. By limiting the amount of unsorted garbage, the city hopes to divert more waste from the landfill and make our collection process more efficient.
Need Help With Extra Waste? Call Junk Ninja
If your trash has more than three items, Junk Ninja makes it easy and stress-free to get rid of it. You don’t have to wait for a future collection day or deal with things the city won’t take, like old furniture, appliances, renovation debris, or big household junk. Our team takes care of everything quickly and responsibly. We offer fast pickups, safe hauling, and proper disposal so nothing is left at the curb or violates city waste rules. Whether you’re decluttering, replacing large items, or dealing with a renovation cleanup, Junk Ninja provides a convenient, reliable solution that keeps your home clear and compliant. Book your pickup anytime for fast, professional junk removal in Ottawa.
According to the City of Ottawa Solid Waste Master Plan (2023), the city continues updating its waste-diversion strategies to make disposal safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible
Bulky Items, Renovation Debris, and Special Waste
So, what happens when you’ve got stuff that just doesn’t fit into a regular garbage bag or bin? Ottawa’s garbage limit rules have specific ways of handling these larger items and special situations. It’s not always straightforward, but understanding these exceptions can save you a lot of hassle.
How Ottawa Handles Bulky Items and Special Disposal Needs
Bulky items collected by the City:
✓ Couches, mattresses, bookcases
✓ Rolled carpet
✓ Most large household furniture
Not accepted with regular pickup:
✗ Drywall & renovation debris
✗ Hazardous materials
✗ Electronics & appliances requiring special handling
When undertaking a renovation or clearing out old furniture, the volume of waste can quickly become overwhelming. Ottawa’s regular collection is designed for everyday household trash, not the byproducts of major cleanouts or home improvements. Planning ahead for larger disposal needs helps you avoid issues with missed pickups or fines.
If you have more waste than allowed or are unsure how to dispose of certain items, services like Junk Ninja offer a convenient solution. They specialize in removing bulky items, renovation debris, and special waste quickly and responsibly—perfect for busy homeowners who need fast, compliant disposal.
Simple Ways to Stay Within the Ottawa Garbage Limit
Staying within Ottawa’s garbage limit becomes much easier when you sort waste properly. Small habits—like placing items in the right bins and reducing contamination—can significantly cut down your regular garbage.
Here are simple ways to stay on track:
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Know Your Bins: Make sure everyone understands what belongs in the green bin, blue bin, and garbage.
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Rinse Recyclables: A quick rinse prevents contamination and keeps recyclables usable.
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Flatten Cardboard: Breaking down boxes saves space in your blue bin.
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Use Your Green Bin: Food scraps and yard waste belong here, reducing what ends up in your garbage bags.
These small steps help divert more waste from the landfill and make meeting the limit much easier.
If you still end up with excess waste—after a cleanout, move, or renovation—professional junk removal services can handle items that won’t fit within the city’s collection rules.
When to Book a Junk Ninja Pickup Instead of Waiting for City Collection
So, you’ve done your best to stick to the new three-item garbage limit, but sometimes life just throws more at you, right? Maybe you’ve tackled a big decluttering project, or perhaps a household appliance finally gave up the ghost. Waiting for your next scheduled collection day might not be an option when you’re dealing with a pile of stuff that just won’t fit.
If you find yourself with more than three bags or bulky items that exceed the city’s limits, it’s time to think outside the curbside bin. Trying to sneak extra items out can lead to them being left behind, and nobody wants that.
Here are a few scenarios where calling for professional help makes a lot of sense:
- Major Decluttering: You’ve gone through closets, the garage, or the attic and unearthed a mountain of unwanted items.
- Appliance or Furniture Replacement: That old fridge or worn-out sofa needs to go, and it’s too big for the regular pickup.
- Post-Renovation Cleanup: Small DIY projects can still generate a surprising amount of debris that doesn’t fit the standard collection rules.
- Seasonal Yard Waste Overload: While yard waste has its own schedule, sometimes storms or big cleanup days create more than you can handle at once.
Relying on city collection for everything can be frustrating when you have a significant amount of waste. Professional junk removal services are designed to handle these larger, more complex situations efficiently, often on a schedule that works for you.
Instead of risking non-collection or trying to break down large items, booking a service like Junk Ninja can save you time and hassle. They can often pick up items the same day or the next, dealing with everything from old electronics to construction scraps. It’s a straightforward way to manage excess waste and keep your home clear, especially when you need waste disposal in Ottawa handled quickly and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new garbage limit in Ottawa?
Ottawa now has a limit of three items for garbage collection. This means you can put out up to three bags or containers of trash on your scheduled pickup day. This change is part of a plan to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.
What counts as one ‘item’ of garbage?
An ‘item’ can be a regular garbage bag, a garbage container that’s no bigger than 140 litres and weighs less than 33 pounds, or a large bulky item like a couch or mattress. You can put several smaller bags inside a container, and that whole container counts as just one item.
What happens if I have more than three items of garbage?
If you have more than three items, you’ll need to buy special yellow bags for the extra trash. These bags are available for purchase. Any garbage that doesn’t fit the three-item limit and isn’t in a yellow bag might not be picked up by the city collectors.
Are there any exceptions to the three-item rule?
Yes, there are exceptions. Households that generate unavoidable waste from things like diapers or medical supplies can apply for a special consideration program. Also, farms have an exemption period from April to May each year.
Does recycling or my green bin count towards the three-item limit?
No, your blue bin for recycling, your green bin for organic waste, and your yard waste do not count towards the three-item garbage limit. You can put out as many of these as needed.
How is the city enforcing the new garbage limit?
The city is using solid waste inspectors, sometimes called ‘solid waste inspectors,’ to help with enforcement. Initially, they might leave notes about the rules. Over time, they may start leaving extra items behind if the limit is exceeded. There can also be fines for illegal dumping.
