GARBAGE FAQs
Q: What can I put in my garage bag at the curb?
A: Acceptable Garbage Bags at the Curb
Q: Can I use black bags?
A: Yes, black bags are accepted, however transparent bags are encouraged
Q: Do I need a bag tag for my garbage?
A: Yes, each bag of garbage placed at the curb requires a valid Town bag tag attached to it (not attached to the can if you set out a can)
Q: Where can I buy my tags?
A: Town Hall (Cheque or Debit ONLY); Home Hardware; Metro; White’s Convenience Store. Tags are sold in booklets of 10.
Q: Can I stick the bag tag to my garbage can?
A: No, a valid (whole) tag must be affixed to each bag of garbage.
Q: Where should I place my bag tag onto my garbage bag?
A: Peel and stick the entire tag on the top of your bag, so it is visible to the driver. Do not wrap your tag around the ties of your bag. The whole tag must be visible.
Q: Does my garbage bag have to be placed inside a can before I take it to the curb?
A: No, bags can be placed at the curb with or without a can
Q: Is there a bag limit for garbage each week?
A: Yes, 4 bag limit per household per week
Q: Is there a weight limit for my garbage bag?
A: Yes, weight limit is 40 lbs.
Q: What day is my garbage collected?
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: What time does my garbage need to be out at the curb?
A: No later than 7:00am on your day of collection
Q: Can I put my garbage out the night before my collection day?
A: It is not encouraged due to critters, as garbage attracts wildlife
Q: Does the Town collect garbage and recycling from by business?
A: No, curbside collection is for households only
Q: If I missed the collection truck because I placed my bags out too late, will the truck come back?
A: No, not until your next regular collection day
Q: Why did my garbage not get picked up?
A: Possible reasons for no collection: bags were placed at the curb too late (after 7:00 a.m.) and you missed the truck; bags were not visible - hidden behind a parked car or tree/bush and not in plain sight for the driver; bags contained materials that are not accepted; bags were scattered before the truck arrived; truck was unable to access the street due to a parked vehicle blocking the street/alley or construction taking place; truck had mechanical difficulties
Q: Does the Town provide large item collection?
A: No
Q: How do I get rid of my old couch, mattress, chair, etc?
A: Residents must transport items that are not collected at curbside to a licensed waste transfer station out of town (eg. Kingston or Brockville).
Q: Does the Town collect brush and yard waste?
A: Yes, but only during scheduled times Yard Waste Collection Service
Q: How and where do I get rid of my hazardous waste?
A: At special event days held by the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville Household Hazardous Waste Days.
Q: Who do I call if I still have questions?
A: Public Works Office at 613-382-2149 Ext 1613 or email pwinfo@gananoque.ca
Q: Where do I take my leaves and yard waste now that the PW Yard is closed?
A: To a licenced waste facility or compost facility. One option is - Tomlinson Organics - located at 2069 Joyceville Rd, Kingston, and they accept brush, leaf and yard waste and food waste. Visit their website or give them a call for details. They are open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm
RECYCLING FAQs
Q: Who collects my blue box recycling?
A: Gananoque’s Blue Box Program is now managed by Circular Materials, the administrator of the common collection system in Ontario. Emterra is the new contractor in Gananoque and will collect residential blue box recycling materials.
Q: Who do I contact if I have a recycling question or issue?
A: Emterra – 1-888-597-1541 or customercareont@emterra.ca
Q: Has my collection day changed?
A: Changes were made to recycling collection days on April 1, 2025. East of Stone Street is collected on Tuesdays, west of Stone Street is collected on Fridays.
Recycling collection is the same day as garbage collection.
Q: What day is my recycling collected?
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: Can I put all my blue box recycling out each week?
A: No, the Town provides alternate week recycling
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: What can I put in my blue box?
A: Acceptable Blue Box Recyclable Items
Q: How do I know what material to put out each week?
A: https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/waste-and-recycling
Q: Does the Town provide me with a free blue box?
A: No
Q: Can I buy a blue box at Town Hall?
A: No, please contact Emterra for a replacement bin: 1-888-597-1541
Q: If my blue box breaks how do I get a new one?
A: Contact Emterra for a replacement bin at 1-888-597-1541
Q: Do I have to use a blue box for my recycling?
A: No, you can use a tote, transparent bag or a cardboard box
Q: Can I put my recyclables in a dark bag?
A: No, transparent bag only - bag must be transparent to identify the material as recycling
Q: Where do I buy transparent or clear blue bags for my recycling?
A: At a local retailer
Q: Do I need a bag tag for my recycling?
A: No, recycling is collected free of charge
Q: What time does my recycling need to be placed at the curb?
A: No later than 7:00am on your collection day
Q: Can I put my recycling out the night before my collection day?
A: It is not encouraged due to critters, as this could attract wildlife
Q: Can I mix my plastic bottles, glass bottles, jars and metal cans all together in one bag or box?
A: Yes, you can co-mingle your Containers
Q: Do I need to remove the lids from my glass bottles and jars before I recycle them?
A: Yes, and place them in the same bag as your Containers
Q: Why does my recycling need to be clean before I can set it out?
A: We recycle the Containers, not the product
Q: Why did my recycling not get picked up today?
A: Possible reasons for no collection: it’s not your collection day; it was a Stat holiday and the schedule changed; recycling was placed at the curb too late and you missed the truck; recycling material was placed out the wrong week; your recycling was not clean (we recycle the container not the product); recycling was not sorted properly; it contained materials that are not accepted; recycling was not visible - hidden behind a parked car or tree/bush; recycling was scattered/wind blown before the truck arrived; truck was unable to access the street/alley due to a parked vehicle blocking the alley or due to construction; cardboard was too large (bundles must be approx.. 2ft x 3ft). Contact Emterra: 1-888-597-1541 or customercareont@emterra.ca
Q: What do I do with my plastic wrap and plastic bags?
A: See the list for acceptable plastics in your recycling container, Acceptable Blue Box Recyclable Items
Q: Can I recycle old drinking glasses, coffee mugs, broken window panes; glass dishes?
A: No, glass bottles and jars only (with the lid off) can be recycled in your blue box/bag. (lid goes in the same bag)
Q: Does my cardboard have to be broken down before I set it out?
A: Yes, cardboard must be broken down in bundles of approximately 2ft x 3ft in size.
Q: Can I place my broken-down cardboard boxes inside a cardboard box and place at the curb?
A: Yes
Q: Can I put my Styrofoam meat trays in my recycling bag?
A: Yes, meat trays can go in with your plastics and conatiners.
Q: What do I do with my larger white bulk Styrofoam - packaging material?
A: Break it down and place it in your blue box with your plastics and containers.
Q: Does Emterra collect recycling from my business?
A: No, curbside collection is for households only
Q: What do I do with my recycling from my business?
A: You can rent a bin from a contractor; have a contractor collect it; or transport it to a local waste disposal company
Q: Where do I take my old BBQ/scrap metal?
A: Scrap materials can be recycled at Kimco Steel or ANS Metal in Kingston.
Q: Does the Town provide leaf and yard waste collection?
A: Yes, in the spring and fall each year, Yard Waste Collection Service
Q: Can I place my leaves and yard waste at the curb in plastic bags?
A: No, paper bags only and only during the specified times for special collection
Q: What do I do with my brush and yard waste when collection is not offered?
A: Tomlinson Organics is located at 2069 Joyceville Road and is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Please contact them for details 613-546-0884.
Q: What do I do with my real Christmas trees when I’m ready to part with it?
A: The Town provides curbside collection of real Christmas trees the first 2 weeks of January each year. All lights and decorations must be removed.
Q: What can I bring to the PW Yard?
A: The PW Yard closed to the public on August 20.
Q: If I still have questions about my garbage or collection, who can I contact?
A: Public Works – 613-382-2149 Ext 1613 or email pwinfo@gananoque.ca
Q: If I still have questions about my recycling or collection, who can I contact?
A: Emterra – 1-888-597-1541 or email customercareont@emterra.ca
