Ottawa is shaking up its curbside waste collection schedule this Monday, March 30, and if you haven't checked your pickup day lately, now is the time.
According to CBC Ottawa, approximately half of Ottawa households with curbside collection will see their schedules change at the end of March. That's a significant chunk of the city — meaning there's a good chance your green bin day or recycling pickup is moving to a different day of the week.
Why Is the Schedule Changing?
The City of Ottawa periodically adjusts collection routes and schedules to improve efficiency and balance workloads across its waste management fleet. Route restructuring helps the city accommodate growth in newer neighbourhoods, optimize truck routes, and reduce operational costs — all things that trickle down into better service for residents.
This isn't the first time Ottawa has reorganized collection schedules, and it likely won't be the last as the city continues to grow.
What's Affected?
The changes apply to curbside waste collection, which includes:
- Garbage (black/grey bins or bags)
- Green bin compost (organics)
- Yard waste (during collection season)
- Blue and black box recycling
If your household is among those affected, your collection day could shift by one or more days. Some residents may find their pickup moves from, say, Tuesday to Wednesday — or from Friday to Thursday.
How to Check Your New Schedule
The easiest way to confirm your updated pickup day is through the City of Ottawa's online waste collection lookup tool. Just enter your address at ottawa.ca and you'll see your exact schedule going forward. You can also download the city's free Waste Explorer app, which sends you reminders the night before each collection.
If you're not sure whether your address is affected, it's worth checking anyway — setting out your bins on the wrong day means missing the truck entirely, and nobody wants a week of backed-up compost.
Tips to Stay on Top of It
- Update your calendar right now if you have recurring reminders set for collection days.
- Tell your neighbours — especially older residents who may not be checking city updates online.
- Don't put bins out the night before until you've confirmed your new day, at least for the first week.
- The city typically drops off updated collection calendars or notices in areas with major changes, so watch your mailbox.
A Gentle Reminder About Green Bin Etiquette
Spring is right around the corner, which means yard waste season is approaching fast. Ottawa's yard waste collection typically ramps up in April, so now is a great time to check when leaf and branch pickups begin in your area — and make sure you're using the right bags (paper only, no plastic).
Missing a green bin pickup in warmer months can get unpleasant fast, so staying on top of the new schedule from the start is worth the two minutes it takes to look it up.
Source: CBC Ottawa
