It's in our best interest to participating fully in the organics and recycling programs in order to:
- create the least negative impact on the environment and
reduce the amount of waste being sent to the landfill in order to extend its lifespan which defers major capital expenditures.
- Click here to view Cart Basics and Cart Set Out Guidelines.
- GENERAL FAQs, see bottom of this page.
- Specific information about a type of cart service, what goes where, etc., click on an image below for Garbage, Organics or Recycling.
- Find your collection day and what goes where by clicking on the Calendar or Wizard tools below or, for mobile access and weekly reminders, download the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play).
CURBSIDE WASTE COLLECTION GUIDE
mailed to each address prior to start of calendar year
see your colour zone below...
- 2024 (all zones included)
- 2024 Yellow Zone
- 2024 Pink Zone
- 2024 Green Zone
- 2024 Blue Zone
GENERAL FAQs (frequently asked questions) that relate to all 3 carts types.
Please ensure that you have followed the Cart Set Out Guidelines and that only the allowable items are inside each cart - for even more detail, use the Wizard tool on the webpage above which is available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play). Look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard.
If you have followed all the guidelines above but your pick up was still missed then please call the Town contractor, Emterra Environmental (250-336-8066) to discuss.
Note: If there has been a significant collection service interruption, it will be posted on the Town's social media platforms:
Please call the Town contractor, Emterra Environmental (250-336-8066) to discuss.
If the cart is missing/stolen please contact the Town's Public Works Department:
Phone: 250-339-5410
Email publicworks@comox.ca.
When?
Find your collection day:
- on the Curbside Waste Collection Guide (on this webpage) or,
- enter your address into the Calendar tool (about halfway down this webpage).
Set carts out for collection no earlier than 5am and no later than 8am on your collection day - not the night before.
Where?
Click to view the Cart Set Out Guidelines.
No, only the contents of the provided carts will be collected.
- Only acceptable waste inside each cart.
- Cart lids must be completely closed - no waste sticking out of it.
- Nothing on top of carts.
- Anything left beside carts will not be collected.
Should you require an increase to your service level please visit the Cart Changes webpage.
Please visit our Cart Changes webpage.
If the carts assigned to your property are not large enough to meet your needs Please review the tips and resources below then, if you still need an additional or larger cart, please visit our Cart Changes webpage.
To see what items are accepted in carts use the Wizard tool on this webpage. For mobile access, download the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play).
GARBAGE:
- 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 (half way up this webpage) and also available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) - look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard.
- If the Wizard tool 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.
- Household Hazardous Waste - take to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre on a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day
- 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.
ORGANICS:
- Store extra 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 to your lawn.
- 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:
- 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.
- Do not pack down the recycling inside your cart as it may not fully empty into the collection truck.
- Store your extras and refill your recycling cart over the following collection week.
- Drop off certain items at a Recycling BC Depot, visit their website to see what is acceptable.
- 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 (half way up this webpage) and also available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) - look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard.
The Comox Valley Waste Management Centre, which is managed by the Comox Valley Regional District, will be closed on all recognized statutory holidays. As a result, the Town of Comox collection day changes throughout the year as shown on the Curbside Waste Collection Guide found here.
120 L - 24.1 inches (depth) x 18.5 inches (wide) x 37.5 inches (height with the lid)
240 L - 27 inches (depth) x 26.5 inches (wide) x 43.6 inches (height with the lid)
360 L - 33.3 inches (depth) x 29.2 inches (wide) x 43.5 inches (height with the lid)- The carts will be owned and maintained by the contractor for the duration of the collection contract. At the end of the collection contract, cart ownership will transfer to the municipality.
- Carts stay with the property that they were assigned to in order to serve the current, and any future, occupants.
- Each cart has a unique radio (RFID) tag and serial number that corresponds with that properties' address.
- Write your address in the white square on the cart.
- General cleaning and standard care of the carts will be the resident's responsibility.
- If the cart is damaged please call the Town's contractor, Emterra, 250-336-8066.
- If the cart is missing/stolen please contact the Town's Public Works Department 250-339-5410 or email publicworks@comox.ca.
- Each household can decide on a storage location that is within their private property boundary. The carts cannot be stored on a public boulevard, road or sidewalk.
- To avoid attracting wildlife, it is recommended that the carts be stored in a secure location, with the lids closed. The cart lids do not have a “latch” however, you may choose to place something heavy on the cart lid if you are concerned.
- Set carts out for collection by 8am on your collection day - not the night before.
Hazardous waste is not acceptable inside any of the curbside carts. Please take it to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland on a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day.
To search for items, use the Wizard tool (halfway down this webpage) and also available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) - look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard. Below are some of the materials that are NOT accepted in any of the curbside collection carts:
- batteries
- bleach
- aerosol containers with any contents remaining
- compressed gas cylinders (including used propane cylinders)
- containers for: paint / motor oil / vehicle lubricants / antifreeze
- pesticides with the words: explosive / corrosive / flammable
The cart size and weight capacity for each cart can be found on the cart lid - for example:
ImageEach single-family residential property has the following set of carts:
- 360 L Recycling cart with blue lid (equal to 3 standard 120L garbage containers)
- 360 L Organics (yard and food waste) with green lid (equal to 3 standard 120L garbage containers)
- 120 L Garbage cart with black lid
Properties with legal secondary suites and/or cottage houses where the owner pays two garbage fees has their own set of carts:
- 240 L Recycling cart with blue lid
- 120 L Organics (yard and food waste) cart with green lid
- 120 L Garbage cart with black lid
Duplexes - each unit has:
- 360 L Recycling cart with blue lid
- 240 L Organics (yard and food waste) cart with green lid
- 120 L Garbage cart with black lid
Triplexes - each unit has:
- 240 L Recycling cart with blue lid
- 120 L Organics (yard and food waste) cart with green lid
- 120 L Garbage cart with black lid
4-plexes - each unit has:
- 240 L Recycling cart with blue lid
- 120 L Organics (yard and food waste) cart with green lid
- 120 L Garbage cart with black lid
Serviceable Curbside Multiple Dwelling Property - each unit has:
- 240 L Recycling cart with blue lid
- 120 L Organics (yard and food waste) cart with green lid
- 120 L Garbage cart with black lid
No, as per the Town bylaw, carts must stay with the assigned property at all times. There is nothing in place whereby a cart could be returned, or a service opted out of. These Utility Service Fees will continue to be charged regardless of the cart service being used by the property or not.
If you are not using your cart for its intended purpose and you have nowhere to store it you may wish to use it for another purpose as long as it does not damage the cart such as to store seasonal decorations, blankets, etc.. If you move, the carts must stay with the property for the next occupant.
The cart size and weight capacity for each cart can be found on the cart lid - for example:
ImageWeight capacity limits are based on the cart size, not on the cart type.
- 360L Cart max weight limit = 332.5 lbs
- 240L Cart max weight limit = 227.5 lbs
- 120L Cart max weight limit = 122.5 lbs
- You may wish to place near the front of your property with a FREE sign in the hopes that another resident will take it away and repurpose it.
- Take to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre (landfill) in Cumberland.
Do not place these old waste containers inside your new Recycle cart as the new Recycle carts only permit RecycleBC materials.
Emterra Environmental, provides an automated curbside collection for eligible households.
To keep organics and recycling out of the landfill which will:
- Create the least negative impact on the environment.
- Extend the landfill's lifespan which will defer major capital expenditures.
The new automated trucks:
- Are much safer for staff.
- Reduce service failures that can lead to collection delays.
Have you reviewed the webpages for:
Still have a question? Please contact Comox Public Works by email at publicworks@comox.ca or phone: 250-339-5410.
Thank you.