Beginning next week, Thunder Bay residential households that received wheeled garbage carts in this year’s initial roll-out will begin using the carts for curbside garbage collection.

Approximately 25% of Thunder Bay residential households received garbage carts in this initial phase of the program. The remaining 75% of residential households will receive garbage carts in the spring of 2026.

“Moving to an automated cart-based collection system for garbage is a big improvement to waste collection services in Thunder Bay,” said Jason Sherband, Manager – Solid Waste & Recycling Services. “The new system will improve worker health and safety, reduce litter, and make it easier to get waste to the curb for residents.”

Garbage will be collected from the carts using new City waste packer trucks with mechanical arms that automatically lift the carts and tip the contents into the trucks.

For households that received carts, garbage set out in garbage cans or bags will no longer be collected as of Sept. 22. A flyer with instructions for cart usage was attached to each delivered cart, for easy reference by residents.

Residents are reminded that garbage should be set out for collection by 7 am on their collection day, as the time of collection may vary.

For residents who will be using garbage carts as of Sept. 22, the City recommends repurposing their old garbage cans for storage, rain barrels or other purposes. Alternatively, residents now using the automated carts and wishing to dispose of their old garbage cans may drop them off from Sept. 29 to Oct. 11 at the signed area in the Administration Building parking lot at the Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Facility – last left turn before the scales.

For more information, visit www.thunderbay.ca/garbagecarts/ .

Collection questions or cart issues? Contact the City’s Dispatchers at 807-625-2195.

 

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Contact: Jason Sherband, Manager – Solid Waste & Recycling Services, 807-625-3851