Cart Changes

• Exchange a Cart for a Different Size

  Organic or Recycling carts only.

  • You may already have the smallest or largest size available - check the size printed on the cart lid in Litres and compare it to the available sizes listed on page 2 of the Cart Change Application linked at the bottom of this webpage.
  • The cart being exchanged must be for the same type and quantity, for example: exchange your one organics cart for one smaller/larger organics cart. 
  • The Town’s ability to fulfill a request to exchange a cart will depend on the inventory at the time the application is processed. 
  • Carts provided in this program may have been previously used and could show some reasonable wear and tear.
  • The cart you are exchanging must be empty, clean, and have only reasonable wear and tear. The Town contractor will phone you to arrange a date for you to have your cart empty and placed at your curb.
• Add a Cart

  • The Town’s ability to fulfill a request to add a cart will depend on the inventory at the time the application is processed. 
  • Carts provided in this program may have been previously used and could show some reasonable wear and tear.

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  Before you apply to Add a Garbage Cart:

  A re-evaluation of waste management practices at your property is encouraged to ensure that all occupants are maximizing diversion away from the garbage stream as the Town is commited to reducing landfill waste, helping extend its lifespan and defer major capital expenditures.

  Useful resources include:

  1. The Wizard 🔍tool on the Solid Waste webpage or the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play), which can help you determine the items that belong in your recycling or organics carts. 

     If an item cannot go curbside, the Wizard tool will suggest alternative diversion options. 

     Items such as glass, Styrofoam, and flexible plastics, which are not acceptable in your recycle cart but would take up valuable space in your garbage cart, can instead be taken to the Courtenay Return-It Depot.

  2. Town webpages for Recycling or Organics.
  3. Town’s Engineering Manager can conduct an on-site waste audit with you to review how organics and recycling materials are being diverted from your garbage stream.

  These steps support the Town’s commitment to reducing landfill waste, helping extend its lifespan and defer major capital expenditures, while also assisting households in managing waste more efficiently.

  If you then still decided to request an additional Garbage cart you will need to provide your reasons for needing an additional garbage cart. This information will be considered to confirm that recycling and organics are being properly used and may be followed by an onsite waste audit before additional garbage capacity is approved.

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  Added carts can be returned after one full year has passed since the last cart change was made for that same address: 

  • The property owner can apply to Return an Added Cart by completing a Cart Change Application form -- linked at the bottom of this webpage. 
  • There will be a $35 cart change processing fee for each cart that is returned.

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  If you sell your property:

  • Be aware that added carts are non-transferable to another address or to the next property owner. 
  • At least one month prior to vacating the property, apply to Return an Added Cart by completing a Cart Change Application form -- linked at the bottom of this webpage. 
  • There will be a $35 cart change processing fee for each cart that is returned.
• Return an Added Cart

  Added carts can be returned after one full year has passed since the last cart change was made for that same address: 

  • The property owner can apply to Return an Added Cart by completing a Cart Change Application form -- linked at the bottom of this webpage. 
  • There will be a $35 cart change processing fee for each cart that is returned.

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  If you sell your property:

  • Added carts are non-transferable to another address or to the next property owner. 
  • At least one month prior to vacating the property, apply to Return Added Cart by completing a Cart Change Application form -- linked at the bottom of this webpage. 
  • There will be a $35 cart change processing fee for each cart that is returned.

Tips & Resources to Manage Waste

• GARBAGE - I cannot fit my garbage into the cart with the lid fully closed.

  • You might be surprised at what can be diverted to your curbside recycling and organic carts or taken to a Recycling BC Depot. To search for items, use the Wizard tool available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) or on the Town website solid waste page - about halfway down that webpage, look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard. 
    • When you search for an item in the Wizard tool, if it shows that an item cannot be put into the curbside recycling or organics carts, then an alternate location will be suggested - for example, take glass, foam, overwrap, bags, and flexible plastics to a Recycling BC Depot.
  • Take your excess garbage to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland, visit their website for more information or call the Comox Valley Regional District office at 250-336-8066.

  Please note that the Town is committed to reducing the amount of waste being sent to the landfill in order to reduce the burden on the landfill and extend its useful lifespan which defers major capital expenditures and lengthens the time before landfill space is eliminated.

   
• ORGANICS - I cannot fit my lawn clippings, leaves, etc., into my cart with the lid fully closed.

  • Store extra organics (lawn clippings, leaves) on your property and refill your organics cart over the following weeks.
  • Do not bag your lawn clippings; instead, mulch your grass (and leaves) and leave it on your lawn as a natural fertilizer that provides moisture.
  • Take your excess organics to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland, visit their website for more information or call the Comox Valley Regional District office at 250-336-8066.
• RECYCLING - I cannot fit my recycling into my cart with the lid fully closed.

  Cart packing tips...

  • Stack related items together – such as yogurt containers.
  • Ensure all your cardboard is flattened - cut up larger pieces so they can stack flatter.
  • Crush, compact and compress items such as bulky plastic containers and tin cans (before placing into the cart).
  • Do not pack down the recycling that is already inside your cart as it may not fully empty into the collection truck.
  • Store your extra recycling on your property and refill your recycling cart over the following collection weeks.
  • Drop off certain items at the Courtenay Return-It Depot or to see what can go where, use the Wizard tool available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) or on the,
    • Town website solid waste page (scroll about halfway down that webpage, look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard).
    • This Wizard tool includes items such as engine oil, paint, solvent, and chemicals, as well as any materials/supplies that are associated with them, such as a paint tray, oil filter, etc.
    • If the Wizard tool shows that an item cannot be put into the curbside recycling cart, then an alternate location will be suggested for household hazardous items and other items, for example, take certain items such as: cardboard, glass, foam, overwrap, bags, and flexible plastics to the Courtenay Return-It Depot.

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  Recycle BC has partnered with the Town of Comox for processing the recycling from curbside carts. They set the guidelines for what is acceptable recycling content.

  For your curbside recycle cart,  below are some common items you might wonder about:

  ACCEPTED:

  • paper
    • shredded paper must be placed in a paper bag or box such as a cereal or shoe box.
  • cardboard
  • hard plastic (not soft/flexible such as wrappings and bags)
  • metal

  NOT ACCEPTED:

  • glass: bottles, jars 
  • foam packaging 
  • plastic 
    • soft/flexible packaging such as plastic bags, plastic overwrap, crinkly plastic, stand-up and zipper lock pouches, flexible packaging with plastic seal, woven and net plastic bags and protective squishy cushion packaging. 
  • Household Hazardous Waste 
    • (take to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre on a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day)

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  Please note:

  • Do not line your cart with a plastic bag.
  • Empty and rinse containers.
  • Remove any tape, string, ribbon or other contaminants.
• I have a question that was not answered here.

  Have you reviewed the webpages for:

  • Solid Waste
  • Garbage
  • Organics
  • Recycling 
  • Cart Basics
  • Cart Set Out Guidelines

  Still have a question? Please contact Town of Comox Public Works by email at publicworks@comox.ca or phone: 250-339-5410.

  Thank you.

• Related Town Bylaws

  Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 2027 

  Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058