Solid Waste - Garbage, Organics and Recycling

GENERAL FAQs (frequently asked questions) that relate to all 3 cart types.

• My collection was missed.

  Please ensure that you have complied with the collection requirements outlined in the Town's Automated Curbside Cart Collection Guide in that:

  • by 8am on collection day, carts are placed in the correct curbside location
  • with 3 feet of clearance on all sides of each cart and 10 feet of clearance above
  • lids must be fully closed with no waste sticking out of or placed on top of the cart. Extra waste left beside the cart will not be collected.
  • only the allowable items inside each cart - refer to the current Curbside Waste Collection Guide found here or, for even more detail, use the Wizard tool available on the Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play). Look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard.

  If you have met the requirements above but your pick up was 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:

  • website, News page
  • Facebook 
  • Twitter

• My cart is damaged, missing or stolen

  Please call the Town contractor, Emterra Environmental (250-336-8066) to discuss.

• I need a different size cart or an additional cart

  Please visit our Cart Changes webpage.

• I cannot fit everything into my cart (with the lid fully closed)

  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 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.
  • Take your excess organics to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland, visit their website for more information or call 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.
• Why does the collection day change throughout the year?

  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.

• What are the cart dimensions?

  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) 

• Who owns the carts?

  • 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 missing or damaged please call the Town's contractor, Emterra, 250-336-8066.
• Where should I store the carts?

  • 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. Set carts out for collection by 8am on your collection day - not the night before.
• Can I put out extra bags or containers out for collection?

  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.

• When and where should I set out my carts for collection?

  When?

  Find your collection day:

  • on the Curbside Waste Collection Guide (on this webpage) or,
  • enter your address into the Wizard tool (about halfway down this webpage).

  Set carts out for collection by 8am on your collection day - not the night before.

  Where?

  See the diagrams in the Curbside Cart Collection Guide (on this webpage) for details on cart placement on various streetscapes and during a snow event...

  • Point arrows on the cart lid towards the street with handles facing towards your house.
  • Leave 3 feet of clearance on all sides of each cart and 10 feet of clearance overhead.  The distances allow the automated truck arm to lift the cart.
  • Make sure carts do not block sidewalks, bike lanes or the flow of traffic.

  • After your carts have been emptied, if the collection truck has left them in a different location, please use that location the next time you put your carts out for collection as that is the preferred location. If you have any questions please call the Town Contractor, Emterra: 250-336-8066.
• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal?

  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

   

• What size carts go with what type of property?

  Each 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
• Can I opt out of this automated curbside collection program?

  There will be no opt-out options for households that are eligible to receive curbside cart collection.

• What is the weight limit for each cart?

  Please find below the weight limits for each cart. The 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
• How do I dispose of my old plastic garbage can or recycle tote?

  • 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.

• Snow tips...

  See the Automated Curbside Cart Collection Guide, for the Snow Event info. which includes a diagram and the text below:

  • For cart placement at the curb, shovel a flat spot adjacent to the end of your driveway; carts can be placed on a cleared driveway if within 3.5 metres (12 feet) of the roadway.
  • Keep carts off the travelled portion of the roadway so as not to interfere with snow plows - do not place carts in a location where the snow plow will hit them.
  • Please have your carts out for collection by 8:00 a.m. Avoid placing your carts out the night before collection and bring them away from the road as soon as possible, to avoid interfering with snow plows often working late.
  • Clear your cart of snow and ice to ensure the lid opens when the cart is tipped.
  • The carts should be no closer than three feet from any obstacle, parked car, or other carts
  • Do not place carts behind or on top of snow banks.
  • General Safety: As the waste collection carts are equipped with wheels, please use extra caution when wheeling them in snowy and icy conditions.

• I have a question that was not answered here.

  Have you reviewed the FAQs section on the dedicated webpages for Garbage, Organics or Recycling?

  Still have a question? Please call Comox Public Works 250-339-5410.

  Thank you.