Wheeled Cart Waste Collection Program

Automated collection means:

• residents roll their Wheeled Garbage and Organics Carts to the curb
• a specially designed truck lifts and empties the cart
• no manual lifting of bags or bins by collection crews

This system improves efficiency, consistency, and safety while maintaining the same collection frequency residents are used to.

Halton Region will not be delivering wheeled blue carts to households.

Through Ontario regulations, as of January 1, 2026, Halton Region is no longer responsible for the collection of recyclable materials. Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) is the organization responsible for managing the Blue Box program under a producer responsibility system. CMO has decided to continue with the existing manual blue box recycling collection system (external link) in Halton Region.

There will be no change to the current collection method for Blue Box, Yard Waste, Metal and Bulk Waste.

The development of the phased implementation approach prioritizes maintaining the existing collection schedule for approximately 95 per cent of households. The phased approach is designed to maintain reliable service levels while supporting a smooth transition to the new waste collection contract. Phase One includes the homes that were in the demonstration and expansion areas and are already using wheeled garbage carts.

No. Households cannot opt out. The Region will work with households to identify and address any concerns they may have with the cart service and provide tips and resources to support participation.

Participating households may use the same locations where they currently store their waste material prior to being placed curbside for collection. The wheeled carts should occupy a similar footprint as their current garbage containers and green cart. Households are best able to determine the most appropriate location on their property to store their carts.

The 120-litre Wheeled Garbage Cart is an option for households that typically set out 1-2 standard garbage bags every other week and regularly use their Blue Box and Green Cart. Pre-selection of the smaller, 120-litre Wheeled Garbage Cart is available now for Phase One households.

Request a 120-litre wheeled garbage cart  

Waste collection for properties with Additional Residential Units (ARUs) will continue to follow existing curbside collection eligibility rules with property owners required to provide a building permit or email confirmation from the local municipality of a legal additional residential unit(s).

Property owners with ARUs that would like additional wheeled carts are asked to contact Halton Region once they receive their program notification so their request can be reviewed.

Waste storage on a property is governed by each Local Municipality through property standards by-laws, which they are responsible for enforcing. Halton Region is working with the Local Municipalities on how their property standards by-laws will be enforced in regard to the new wheeled cart program.

Waste that is placed at the curb for collection is governed by the Regional Waste Collection By-law, which is being updated to align with the start of the new wheeled cart program. The By-law contains requirements on when waste can be placed curbside and when it is to be removed and stored properly on the property. Residents can report any areas of concern to the Region or their Local Municipality.

Garbage containers can be repurposed for yard waste collection by applying a yard waste label. You can order yard waste labels online or call 311.

Additional details regarding what to do with existing garbage containers and green carts will be shared for Phase One households in early 2027.

As part of Halton Region’s Solid Waste Management Strategy, wheeled carts were piloted across a range of housing types and property sizes to ensure they could be accommodated in diverse settings. Currently, 31 townhouse communities, representing approximately 1,100 units, are successfully participating in the wheeled cart program.

Residents may continue to store waste carts in the same locations they currently use before setting them out for collection. The wheeled garbage and organics carts are designed to have a footprint similar to existing garbage containers and green carts, and in most cases can be stored within existing spaces such as garages or discreet outdoor areas. As individual unit layouts vary, residents are best positioned to determine the most suitable storage location on their property. A household will be able to request a smaller 120 litre wheeled garbage cart if it best aligns with their waste generation practices.

Region staff are here to support townhouse and multi-plex communities successfully transition to the new Wheeled Cart Program. If property managers or residents have questions, please contact us at wmconnect@halton.ca.

To check which Phase your household is in, check the interactive map on this page.

Phase One households will receive direct mail notification from Halton Region in early June. If you have not received a letter, residents can call 311 or email accesshalton@accesshalton.ca to confirm.

Households that place waste at a communal location at the curb will be evaluated by the Region to determine if each unit will receive a wheeled garbage and organic cart or if a centralized wheeled cart location will be set up on the property to be used by all the units.

If you have accessibility-related concerns:

Staff will review individual circumstances and discuss available support options.

• Consider requesting a smaller 120-litre cart.
• The Region will be providing an Assisted Wheeled Cart Waste Collection Service - the Collection Contractor will walk onto a resident’s property to collect the Carts. Service consists of bringing carts from a designated location to the curbside for waste collection and returning them to the Designated Location. The designated location must be at the front or the side of an approved applicant’s house, easily accessible and free of obstacles.
• To learn more, call 311 once your household receives program notification.