Ottawa's new 3-item garbage limit begins in 2 weeks: Here's what you need to know

Ottawa households have one final garbage pickup this week or next week before the city's new three-item garbage limit takes effect.

Starting September 30, all households will be limited to three items of curbside waste every two weeks. Residents with garbage collection this week will be the first households to face the new three-item limit when the new rules take effect in two weeks.

"There will continue to be no limit to how much residents can set out through curbside recycling and green bins," the city says.

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The city will phase in enforcement of the new three-item limit over three months, with only three items collected starting in December. In October, all items will be collected, with staff leaving a non-compliance tag at a home over the three item limit.  

The City of Ottawa is introducing the new three-item limit in a bid to "reduce unnecessary waste" heading to the Trail Road Landfill, with the goal of extending the life of the municipal landfill until 2049.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you need to know about the new three-item garbage limit coming this fall.

What is the new curbside waste limit?

Starting September 30, all households will be limited to three items on collection day.

The city says a garbage item could be a garbage bag, a 140-litre container or a bulky item.

"Households can put several smaller bags in containers up to 140 litres," staff say.

The current limit for curbside garbage collection is six items.

Who does the three-item garbage limit apply to?

•  The three-item garbage limit applies to all households on curbside collection.
•  Households that set out waste at the edge of the curb or laneway for collection or at an approved common pad collection area.

A common pad is an approved shared common area where garbage, recycling and green bins are set out.

What is considered three items?

"On garbage collection day, households with curbside collection can place their blue bins, green bins and up to three-items of garbage for collection at the curb," the city says.

A garbage item could include:

•  A garbage bag
•  A container up to 140 litres
•  A bulky item (furniture or bulky item that can't be re-used or donated) A bulky item includes furniture and other large items that cannot fit into a bag or bin, including a carpet, couch, desk, chair, mattress and patio furniture.

The city says "several smaller bags" can be placed in containers up to 140 litres.

Examples of the three-item combination:

•  one 140-litre bin, a plastic waste bag and a broken chair
•  two bins filled with bags and one broken chair
•  three 140-litre bins
•  three plastic waste bags
•  two garbage bags and one bin filled with bags
•  two 140 litre bins and one broken vacuum

The City of Ottawa provides examples of the new three-item garbage limit, which takes effect Sept. 30. (City of Ottawa/release)

What happens if I'm over the three-item limit?

Any garbage above the three-item limit must be placed in a yellow bag.

"If it cannot be recycled, composted, reused, or repaired, you can purchase a yellow bag. Keep in mind, large bulky items and furniture cannot be bagged," the city said.

Extra waste that is not placed in a yellow bag will not be picked up. Staff will place a "courtesy tag" on the items explaining why it was not picked up.

Does bulky waste count towards the three-item limit?

Yes! The city of Ottawa says bulky waste counts towards a household's biweekly limit.

Residents cannot stick or tie a yellow bag to a bulky item or piece of furniture.

What is a yellow bag?

You can purchase a City of Ottawa branded yellow bag for additional waste. Any item over the three-garbage limit will need to be placed in a yellow bag.

A pack of four bags cost $17.60. The city of Ottawa says the bags will be available for sale at the end of September/early October.

To find locations where yellow bags are sold, check the website.

There is no limit on how many yellow bags set out at the curb.

What happens if there is not a yellow bag for additional waste?

If excess waste is not put in a yellow bag, the excess waste will not be picked up by staff.

The city says a "courtesy tag" will be left on the item to explain why it wasn't picked up.

Timeline for new garbage limit enforcement

The city will phase in enforcement of the new three-item limit over three months.

October

All garbage items at the curb are collected, even if the limit is being exceeded, according to the city.

"Collection staff to record and leave a custom non-compliance tag indicating the limit and how to properly participate in waste diversion programs."

November

If a household exceeds the three-garbage item limit, collection staff will record the limit is exceeded and leave one item behind with a custom non-compliance tag.

December

Starting in December, only three garbage items will be collected every two weeks and a non-compliance tag will be attached to garbage items left behind.

"Collection operators will continue to document cases of improper set-out and escalate for review and follow-up by a Solid Waste Inspector," staff say.

Garbage lessons

The City of Ottawa has deployed Environmental Education Assistants to provide information about the new garbage limit.  Staff will be visiting homes in September, October and November.

"They will not require access inside your home. EEAs will also be attending community events to chat with residents about the new garbage limit, as well as waste reduction programs," the city says.