Residents across Waterloo Region, one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities, are preparing for a significant change in how their household waste is collected. Beginning March 3, the region will introduce an automated cart-based system designed to improve efficiency, safety and waste sorting.
The new program will affect approximately 170,000 households in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and surrounding townships.
How the automated waste collection system works
Under the new system, residents will use standardized carts for garbage and organic waste. Collection trucks equipped with mechanical arms will lift and empty the carts automatically, allowing operators to remain inside the vehicle and control the process using a joystick.
The carts are emptied into separate compartments within the truck — one designated for garbage and the other for organic material.
To ensure proper pickup, residents must follow specific placement guidelines:
- Leave about two feet (roughly an arm’s length) of space between carts
- Position the arrow on the lid facing the street
- Ensure the handle faces the home
- Fully close the lid
Green organic carts can remain locked, as the mechanism will open automatically during collection.
Residents may place waste directly inside the carts or use bags. Compostable bags or paper liners are recommended for organic material.
Safety features and monitoring
Collection vehicles are equipped with cameras to help operators identify hazardous materials before they enter the truck.
“If there’s anything like a propane tank or something dangerous, the operator would be able to retrieve it,” said Olivia Kwok, director of waste management for the Region of Waterloo.
This added oversight aims to improve worker safety and prevent contamination in waste streams.
New pickup schedule and service changes
The transition also brings changes to collection frequency.
Waste collection will now take place four days per week instead of five. Residents are encouraged to confirm their updated pickup day using the region’s online tools, mobile app, or printed materials delivered by mail.
After the first week — during which both garbage and organics will be collected — the regular schedule will be:
Garbage and organics
- Garbage (black carts): every two weeks
- Organics (green carts): weekly
Recycling and bulky items
Recycling collection, now managed separately by Circular Materials as part of Ontario’s province-wide shift to extended producer responsibility, will move to every other week. Recycling pickup will occur on alternating weeks from garbage collection.
Bulky items, such as furniture, will be collected once per month.
Yard waste
Yard waste pickup will continue every other week during the spring, summer and fall, consistent with previous years.
Support available for residents who need assistance
To help residents adjust, support staff will be present in some neighbourhoods during the initial rollout. Their role will be to check cart placement and provide guidance.
“They will adjust as needed and also give tips and suggestions for a successful collection in the future,” Kwok said.
The region also offers assisted waste collection programs for residents who have difficulty moving the carts due to mobility or health challenges.
Most households are expected to place carts at the end of their driveway or on the boulevard — the strip of land between the sidewalk and street common in many Canadian neighbourhoods. However, residents with unique property layouts can request accommodations.
Modernizing waste collection in a growing region
The automated cart system reflects a broader trend across Canadian municipalities, including cities like Ottawa and Edmonton, where similar programs have been introduced to improve efficiency, reduce workplace injuries and enhance waste diversion.
By standardizing carts and automating pickup, Waterloo Region aims to streamline collection while supporting environmental goals and adapting to continued population growth.
As the new system rolls out, residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated schedule and placement requirements to ensure smooth and reliable service.
