Blog

Oct 02, 2023

Curbside garbage collection

Making sure you properly set out your garbage on collection day will help collectors pick it up fast and efficiently in our neighbourhoods. Review your collection calendar To help collect your garbage

Making sure you properly set out your garbage on collection day will help collectors pick it up fast and efficiently in our neighbourhoods.

Review your collection calendar

To help collect your garbage and recycling from your home, please review the curbside garbage requirements:

The Recycle Coach App can help answer questions about what goes where in our local waste and recycling program.

Report a garbage issue

Each household is limited to three containers for each collection day.

One container is equal to one garbage can (which may be filled with multiple bags), or one bag of garbage (following the accepted weight and dimensions). A container of garbage in the form of a bag or can must not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in weight. The container volume must not exceed 125 litres and must be at least 30 litres.

If a garbage can is being used, the garbage inside must not come above the rim of the can.

The three-container limit is not enforced on exemption days marked in the Collection Calendar. These three-container exemptions occur at the following times of year:

In an effort to improve the cleanliness of downtown and a few other areas, the City of London is conducting a pilot project for garbage collection in the Core Area. The goal is to reduce the length of time that bagged garbage sits at the curb, reduce the amount of litter, and better meet the needs of businesses and those living in the core.

Share feedback about Core Area garbage collection

There is currently an east and a west collection zone, which are separated by Wellington Street. To ask questions about the garbage collection map, or to confirm if you are located in the collection zone, please contact [email protected]

Businesses and residents in the west zone can place garbage to the curb between these times. ​​​​​​

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ​​​​​

No collection

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.​​​​​​

No collection

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ​​​​​​

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Businesses and residents in the east zone can place garbage to the curb between these times. ​​​​​​

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ​​​​​​

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Please do not set out your garbage too far in advance of the set-out times. This will help keep streets free of litter and reduce the time that garbage sits out at the curbside or sidewalk.​​​​​

Garbage must be placed inside large, strong plastic bags (minimum size 30 litre, maximum size 125 litre). Bags must weigh less than 20 kg (44 pounds). Do not place small plastic grocery bags at the curbside. Place them in larger bags.

​​​​​A maximum of 12 bags per business will be collected.

The City will collect “commercial” waste. This refers to waste produced from a retail activity (i.e., from the retail area and office area of the business) but shall not include “trade waste”. Furniture, equipment, wooden pallets, discarded inventory, machinery parts, are examples of materials that are not collectible and considered “trade waste.”

To slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce litter please ensure that items such as tissues, paper towel, wipes, used gloves and sanitary products and diapers are secured in plastic bags, and not placed loosely in a garbage can.

To protect collection staff and the public, take precautions with broken glass and sharp metal objects. Place in a sealed cardboard box and label clearly as ‘glass’ or ‘sharps’.

Don’t put needles in the garbage. Place in a rigid container and contact your local pharmacy or visit healthsteward.ca or london.ca/needles for safe disposal options.

Bulky waste includes furniture, carpet and mattresses. Some items require preparation (e.g., cut carpet into 3 foot lengths, roll and tie in bundles). Many items will not be collected at the curbside (e.g., appliances, electronics, scrap metal, tires, and renovation materials).

Check the Recycle Coach App for details on how to prepare waste, what will be collected at the curbside, and where to take items that will not be collected.

Check with your property manager or landlord for disposal options. Do not place bulky waste at the curbside.

Place bulky waste at the curbside at the same time as other garbage. Bulky waste is not counted as part of the 3-container limit.

Email questions to [email protected], or call 519-661-CITY (2489)

Report a garbage issue

The Recycle Coach App can help answer questions about what goes where in our local waste and recycling program.

Items that will not be collected with curbside garbage include:

Your garbage may not have been picked up for a number of reasons, including:

If you have more than three containers, you will need a garbage tag ($1.50 each, tax included) for each extra container at the curb. Or you can bring extra garbage to an EnviroDepot ($1.50 per bag).

The locations of the sale of garbage tags is subject to change:

Garbage tags do not expire and there are no refunds provided.

The Recycle Coach App can help share recycling options and answer what goes where in our program.

Your business is also permitted to set out curbside recycling if you are located on an existing residential collection route. The limit of recyclables for businesses is 10 ‘lifts’ per collection. One lift = one blue box, or one large see-through bag, or one bundle of corrugated cardboard.

To determine if you are located on an existing collection route, please contact [email protected]

Learn more about Core Area Garbage Collection

You can drop off your Christmas tree and greenery at a City of London EnviroDepot. Please remove all of your decorations and lights from your tree before visiting.

If you have space, you can also store your tree in your backyard. Your tree will become a habitat for birds. Wait until spring and place your tree and greenery out for Yard Waste Collection in the new year (only trees up to three meters in height will be collected).

​​​​​Christmas trees are no longer collected at the curb. ​​​