Waste Collection

Download the FREE Okotoks waste app from the Apple app store or Google Play store to receive collection day notifications, collection changes, and to learn what goes where.

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The intent of this form is to transfer the ownership of the utilities from the seller to the new owner.

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To improve efficiency and reduce costs. 

• Our current 120 L and 180 L carts are more prone to damage. Many are reaching end-of-life, leading to higher repair and replacement costs. Transitioning all households to more durable 240 L carts will help reduce costs over time. 
• Adjusting the collection schedule to improve operational efficiency allows more cost savings for residents, which will be reflected in lower utility bills.

1. Watch for signs in your neighborhood to know when your 120 L or 180 L cart will be replaced. When you see these signs posted, leave your cart out until it has been replaced - this may take several days. 
2. New carts will have a sticker on the lid indicating your new pick up days and the start date for bi-weekly collection. If you already have a 240 L garbage cart, a sticker will be placed on the existing cart lid with your new pick up days and start date.
3. Download the Okotoks Waste App and input your address to find your new pick up days. You can also set up notifications to remind you when to put out your carts! Find the app at Okotoks.ca/Waste. 
    

There's a clear reason behind the change. Right now, Okotoks has three streams of waste collection: garbage (black carts), recycling (blue carts), and organics (green carts). The Town currently handles garbage collection directly, while recycling and organics carts are collected by contracted providers. As of May 1, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program (regulated by the Government of Alberta) will be responsible for recycling collection, providing cost savings to the Town and residents.

One of Council’s top priorities this term is reviewing how we deliver services to ensure we’re ready for future growth—while also balancing affordability, operational efficiency, and sustainability. This means making sure we have the right number of trucks on the road, operating in the most cost-effective way possible. As part of that review, we’re exploring whether the Town could eventually collect, or share the collection of another waste stream – like organics.

Shifting the collection schedule to different days helps us achieve several important goals:

1. Encouraging more waste diversion from garbage into organics and recycling carts.
2. Improving operational efficiency, especially in winter months—when collecting black and green carts on the same day would require doubling up on trucks and drivers. Spreading it out means fewer trucks on the road at once, saving money on fuel, reducing emissions, and lowering long-term maintenance and replacement costs for waste vehicles.
3. Saving residents money—greater efficiency helps reduce utility bills by 25%–35% over time.
4. Reducing congestion on narrow streets, cul-de-sacs, and in multi-family areas.
5. Planning for future growth with more scalable service delivery.

Ultimately, this change is about finding the best balance between convenience, cost savings, and long-term sustainability. We know any changes to collection routines takes a little getting used to, but it’s all part of building a smarter, more affordable waste system for our growing community. We’ve also seen that switching to separate collection days has worked well in nearby communities like Diamond Valley, Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, Calgary, and Lethbridge—so it makes sense for us to follow a proven approach that’s already delivering results.

• Residents are encouraged to use their recycling and organics carts as much as possible. Many items being placed in the garbage should actually be placed in recycling or organics carts—check Okotoks.ca/Waste to find out what goes where. Waste audits show that when used properly, one 240L garbage cart is enough for most households.
• If you still have extra garbage, you can purchase the Official Yellow Town Bags for $5 at the Municipal Centre, Recreation Centre, Sobeys, and Safeway. These should be placed one foot away from your cart on collection day.
• For those in multi-family homes or legal secondary suites, an extra 240L garbage cart can be requested starting May 1, 2025 by calling 403-938-8054.

No. Recycling carts will continue to be collected weekly and organics carts will still be collected weekly from April to October and bi-weekly from November to March.

• Put food and pet waste in your organics cart, which is collected weekly during warmer months.
• For diapers and other non-recyclable garbage, seal items in a tied or knotted bag before placing them in your garbage cart; this helps keep odors in and flies out, preventing maggots. 

Homes that currently have a 120 L cart will save $26.40 annually to have the same volume of garbage collected. When you pair this with the savings that will come from the reduced Eco Centre fee and the elimination of recycling fees, these households will save another $93.60 annually, totaling $120 annually in savings.

Homes who currently have a 180 L or 240 L cart will save $132.30 annually on garbage collection. When you pair this with the savings that will come from the reduced Eco Centre fee and the elimination of recycling fees, these households will save another $93.60 annually, totaling $225.90 annually in savings reflected on your bi-monthly utility bill, effective May 1.

We encourage everyone to use their recycling and organics carts as much as possible to reduce landfill waste. Waste audits show that when used properly, one 240 L garbage cart should be enough.

If you live in a multi-family home or have a legal secondary suite, you can request an extra 240L garbage cart by calling the Town at 403-938-8054 starting May 1, 2025.

We will offer the carts to other communities for reuse, and if that’s not an option, they will be recycled.

Most 120L and 180L carts are nearly ten years old and breaking down quickly. We will offer the carts to other communities for reuse, and if that’s not an option, they will be recycled.
 

Yes! If your garbage doesn’t fit in the cart, you can use official excess bags. They’re $5 each and can be bought at the Municipal Centre, Recreation Centre, Sobeys, and Safeway.

On collection day, place extra bags at least one foot away from your cart. Only official excess bags will be picked up.

 

Dispose of food, yard, and bagged pet waste in your organics cart—these are the main sources of odour. Weekly organics collection in warmer months helps keep smells in check. 

Exception: Diapers belong in the garbage. To minimize odours, keep your cart lid closed and store dirty diapers in a sealed, leak-proof bag.

Most 120L and 180L carts are nearly ten years old and breaking down quickly. We are experiencing additional maintenance costs to continue using 120 L carts and will be transitioning the entire community to the new 240 L cart size.

Most material that could attract wildlife and rodents should be put in your green bin for weekly pick up from April to October and bi-weekly pick up from November to March.

Other communities with bi-weekly garbage pick up have not experienced an increase in rodent or wildlife concerns.
 

We understand that winter conditions can create concerns about waste freezing inside bins. Residents can help prevent this by putting wet waste into the organics cart and using garbage bags to keep contents dry. 

Garbage trucks will still collect the same amount of waste overall, but routes will change with the new 240 L carts. Even if trucks make extra trips to the landfill, bi-weekly pick up still saves money and improves efficiency for residents.

• If a home also has a business that requires a license, the Town is only responsible to collect and dispose of the residential garbage (referenced in Bylaw 18-16).
• If business activities result in more waste than can be placed in a 240L cart and collected biweekly, the business must arrange and pay for the removal of business-related waste from their property.

Are you having issues finding your new collection schedule while using the online calendar or Okotoks Waste app? Contact us at waste@okotoks.ca for support!

Black garbage carts are currently picked up weekly. Garbage collection frequency will change to bi-weekly pickup on May 1, 2025. Refer to the Waste Collection Schedule and input your address to find your collection day. Scroll to May to see the changes reflected.

Standard cart size: 240 L 

Cart has a capacity of approximately three regular size bags.

Excess Bags
	If you exceed your garbage cart limit, you can purchase an excess yellow Town garbage bag. Bags are available at the Municipal Centre, Recreation Centre, Sobeys and Safeway.  Cost per bag: see Waste Service fees

All food, pet and yard waste are accepted in the green organics cart. Learn more at okotoks.ca/WhatGoesWhere

Collection Frequency

• Weekly from April to the end of October
• Bi-weekly from November to the end of March.

 Refer to the Waste Collection Schedule to find your collection day.

Green organics cart sizes

Residents have the option to choose a larger cart size for a fee. Request a different cart size

Small (120L) 
This cart has a capacity of approximately two regular size bags.

Large (240L)
This cart has a capacity of approximately three regular size bags.

Collection Frequency

Blue recycling carts are picked up weekly. Find your collection day.

Standard cart size: 240 L

Extra bags of yard waste placed beside your cart will not be collected. However, grass clippings and leaves (no branches) are accepted at the Eco Centre’s drop off bins. Grass and leaves can be dumped into the bins loose or in a paper or certified compostable bag. 

If the contents of your cart are freezing to the inside or getting stuck, collectors may be unable to fully empty them. The following tips may help:

• Strain excess liquid out of wet, compostable material
• Wrap kitchen waste in newspaper, a paper bag or already soiled paper (such as paper towel) to absorb moisture
• Wrap and freeze material in your freezer and then place it in the organics cart immediately before collection so it can fall out easily
• Line your cart with dry materials such as a paper bag
• Layer kitchen organics with soiled paper or newspaper
• Avoid pushing down or compacting materials in the cart

If you find that material has frozen inside your cart, wait for warmer temperatures to thaw the material out. Try placing your cart in sunlight if possible and use a stick to loosen the stuck items.

It's also a good idea to place your organics cart at the curb for all scheduled collections, even if it’s not full. This will also help prevent material from becoming too frozen to fall out.

Do you know how to properly dispose of your waste? Use our What Goes Where searching tool. Type the name of an item and we'll tell you how.  A lot of your waste can be diverted from the landfill. It's easy!

1. Go to okotoks.ca/WhatGoesWhere
2. Type in the item you want to dispose of: candy wrapper, computer, paper, Styrofoam, paint, batteries etc.
3. Hit the search button!

You can also access the Waste Wizard directly from the Town's Mobile Waste App!

Download the Mobile App

Effective May 1, 2025 garbage carts will be collected bi-weekly and blue recycling carts are collected weekly.

Green organics carts are picked up:

• Weekly from April to the end of October,
• Bi-weekly from November to the end of March

All carts must be out by 7 a.m.

Use the online collection schedule to find your collection day. Using just your address, access your own personalized schedule and sign up for reminders. 

Download the free Okotoks Waste app to get instant access to your garbage, recycling and organics information in the palm of your hand, including your schedule. 

Organics (green cart)

Contents can be placed loose inside the cart without using a bag or liner. A paper bag is optional.

Animal waste and bedding are the exceptions: they must be placed in a paper bag inside the green cart. 

Recycling (blue cart)

Do NOT use a bag or liner. Contents must be loose, not bagged or bundled.

The following items are exceptions:

• Shredded paper must be placed in a transparent bag inside the blue cart.
• Plastic bags, plastics wrap and bubble wrap must be bundled into one plastic bag and tied closed.

Garbage (black cart)

All garbage placed into the black cart must be bagged. 

The material needs to be loose to be sorted by the machines. For the safety of workers, tied bags are assumed to be garbage and are never opened.

Shredded paper and plastic bags are hand-sorted for recycling; transparent bags make them easy to identify and grab.

To have carts delivered to your new home, fill out the online Request services - New Owner form. Once this form is filled out Waste Services is notified that carts need to be delivered. Your carts will be delivered within 5 business day of your possession date, and collection service will start immediately once you've received your carts.

If you have any questions please contact Waste Services using the contact information at the bottom of this page.

• Our program accepts pet waste and kitty litter in the green cart. During the composting process, the material is heated to temperatures at which any harmful bacteria is killed. Strict testing is conducted to ensure the compost is safe to use.
• Animal waste must be in a paper bag before placing it in the green cart.
• Please do not use plastic or biodegradable bags because these bags do not break down during the composting process and will reduce the quality of the finished compost.

1. Use the online collection schedule to help you remember your waste collection day. By typing in your address, you can access your own personalized Collection Schedule. 
2. Import your personalized Collection Schedule to your online iCal, Outlook or Google Calendar.
3. View, download (PDF), or print your personalized Collection Schedule.
4. Sign up for personalized reminders by email, voicemail or Twitter.
5. Make it even easier and download the Okotoks Waste Mobile App!

Collection happens on stat holidays that fall between Tuesday and Friday, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

When a stat holiday is approaching, check the mobile app or online schedule to ensure you know what day your collection is moving to. Or better yet, sign up for reminders so you get a convenient reminder anytime there is a change to your collection day due to holidays, snowstorms, equipment breakdowns etc.!