We're celebrating! The City of Thunder Bay has transitioned to a new automated cart-based system for garbage collection. This new program improves curbside waste collection services, at the same time as reducing program operating costs.
Curbside residential garbage cart collection takes place every week, usually on the same day every week, with some adjustments for holidays.
Use the Thunder Bay Waste Recycling tool on our Garbage & Recycling page to find your collection dates and to schedule reminders.
How does an automated cart collection system work?
In automated cart collection systems, a truck with a mechanical arm picks up, empties, and returns carts to the curb. The driver stays in the truck's cab and uses a camera to operate the system, with no manual lifting required.
Your garbage collection cart is compatible with the automated truck.
Why has the City transitioned to an automated garbage cart collection system?
The City of Thunder Bay’s waste collection system has been a manual system, with garbage picked up by hand in bags or garbage cans. Automated cart-based collection or ‘auto-cart’ is considered a best practice in the solid waste management industry, leading to improvements in collection efficiency, worker safety and satisfaction, reductions in injuries and climate change impacts.
Thunder Bay's automated garbage cart program also makes it easier for residents to get garbage to the curb (eliminating heavy lifting and dragging), and will protect garbage from weather and animals.
The adoption of an automated collection system for garbage is an action item in the City's 2014 Solid Waste Management Strategy, and approved by City Council for implementation.
Frequently asked questions
Getting a garbage cart
| I did not receive my garbage cart - who do I call? |
| If you did not receive a garbage cart before June 1, 2026, please call City Dispatch at 807-625-2195. |
| I am not certain if my duplex, triplex, fourplex or fiveplex received the correct number of garbage carts. How do I find out? |
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Residential housing with five units or less will receive garbage carts. Residential housing with six or more units will transition during a subsequent phase of the roll-out. The City has established a units-to-carts ratio that works for several-unit apartments. These apartments may receive combinations of 240L and 360L carts. Capacity should be sufficient, and tenants should share. This avoids space issues with large numbers of carts. If you are unsure if you have received the correct number of carts, please call City Dispatch at 807-625-2195. |
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Can I get or buy an additional City garbage cart? |
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No, the City provides one garbage cart per residential household. |
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I have a basement apartment - will it get a garbage cart? |
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Legal basement apartments can receive garbage carts. If the apartment is not a legal apartment, it is not eligible to receive a garbage cart. If you have a legal apartment, did not receive a garbage cart for it, and wish to receive one, please call City Dispatch at 807-625-2195. |
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Do I take my garbage cart with me when I move? |
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No. Garbage carts are City property and are keyed to specific addresses - leave your cart at the residence. |
Using your garbage cart
| How much garbage does my cart hold? How full can I fill it? |
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The standard 240L garbage carts provided to residents holds approximately three bags. Do not overload your cart. You need to be able to close the lid fully. The mechanical arm on the truck picks up the cart and turns it completely upside-down during collection, and any materials jammed tightly into the cart may not fall out when tipped. Carts do not need to be full to be put out for collection. Tip: Some residents find it easier to lift smaller, lighter bags into the cart more frequently rather than dealing with one heavy bag. |
| Do I need to put garbage in bags before placing it in the cart? |
| Yes, residents should bag their garbage before placing in the cart. Any bag that closes is adequate - green garbage bags, grocery bags, old blue bags are fine. This helps ensure that loose items do not escape when the cart is tipped into the collection truck, and reduces potential litter. |
| Are there any changes to what I can put in my garbage? |
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No, the items we collect has not changed. Place only garbage in your garbage cart, and place recyclables in your GFL recycling cart. Remember not to put out:
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| Is the waste collection schedule changing? |
| No, there are no changes to your schedule. You may check your schedule on our Garbage and Recycling webpage. |
| How do I set out my garbage cart for collection? |
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The arms on the truck need to reach and collect your garbage cart, so the cart must be positioned on level ground at the end of your driveway or at the side of the road, with the arrows on the lid facing the road. Please space your garbage cart and your recycling cart three feet/one metre apart. The cart's lid must be fully closed. If you have an additional tagged bag of garbage for collection, place it on the ground next to the cart, not on top of the cart. Remember that carts placed behind vehicles, or too close to other objects, cannot be accessed by the collection truck. |
Can I set out extra bags of garbage?
| “One Free Bag” days |
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You can put out one additional bag of garbage, FREE (no tag required) on your first collection date after:
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| Can I still purchase and use Extra Bag Tags for an additional bag? |
Yes! You can still purchase tags, and you may affix a tag to one additional bag of garbage and set it beside your garbage cart for collection.
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Broken or damaged cart?
| What happens if my cart breaks? |
| If your cart breaks (examples: lid or wheel detaches) in the course of normal use, call City Dispatch at 807-625-2195 and the City will repair or replace the cart. |
Medical and accessibility accommodations
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Medical exception to garbage item limit |
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Certain Thunder Bay households may need to set out more than the weekly garbage item limit due to medical circumstances. Under these circumstances, you may apply to increase the limit of waste to your garbage cart, plus two tagged bags of garbage. Approved applicants may be provided up to a maximum of 52 garbage tags per year. To be eligible for the exception, complete and return the Medical Exception Application. |
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Unable to roll cart to curb? Application for garbage cart set-out service |
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This confidential application is for residents who are physically unable to roll their cart to the curb. The resident or a delegate must complete and return the Application for Garbage Cart Set-Out Service. |
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