Changes Coming to Howick's Curbside Garbage & Recycling Pickup

We're wheelie excited!

Beginning August 3, 2026, Howick Township will transition to a new cart-based automated waste and recycling collection system. These changes are being implemented by our waste collection contractor, Waste Management, as part of updates to the collection program. Most residents will receive wheeled carts for garbage and recycling collection. Your collection schedule will remain the same. 

Transition Dates to Wheeled Carts for Automated Collection:

• West Side of Howick - August 3, 2026
• East Side of Howick - August 10, 2026

Key Changes:

• No more bag tags required
• Automated cart collection
• Improved recycling program with more accepted materials

Cart deliveries will be July 6 - 25, 2026

Each household will receive:

• 1 Garbage Cart: 64 gallons (green)
• 1 Recycling Cart: 95 gallons (blue)

Businesses, industrial, commercial and institutional properties will continue to be responsible for their own recycling, with the Recycling Depot at the Howick Landfill available as one option, with applicable Recycling Tipping Fees. 

For the latest updates and information about these changes, visit this page regularly.

There is no additional cost for the carts. This is a service that is being provided by the Township through the annual operating budgetm which includes the Waste Management contract. 

Alternatively, residents may bring waste or recycling to the Howick Landfill, where a minimum disposal fee of $10 will apply once the scale is operational.

We strongly encourage residents to make full use of the curbside collection service provided. The new cart system will help keep garbage and recycling securely contained, reducing issues with animals, wind, and scattered debris, while also supporting more efficient and consistent collection.

Waste Management, in partnership with Township staff, will be hosting a Waste & Recycling Cart Open House and Information Night at the Howick Community Centre on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This drop-in event provides residents with a great opportunity to learn more about the upcoming changes to waste collection services in a relaxed, informal setting. Attendees will be able to view the collection carts in person, gain a better understanding of how the program will work, and speak directly with Waste Management representatives and Township staff. 

Whether you have specific questions, are looking for clarification, or simply want to be informed, this session is designed to ensure residents feel confident and prepared for the transition.

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New waste and recycling carts will be delivered to all Howick residents between July 6 and July 25, 2026 as part of the upcoming collection program rollout.

Residential Properties:

You will receive both a waste cart and a recycling cart during this delivery period.

Industrial, Commercial & Institutional Properties:

These properties will receive waste carts only.

What to expect:

• Deliveries will take place over several weeks—no need to be home
• A contracted delivery company will be completing the drop-offs
• You may see unmarked white delivery vans in your area during this time

Important Reminder:

Each cart is assigned to a specific property and will be coded accordingly. These carts must remain with the address, even if the property is sold or ownership changes.

1 Garbage Cart: 64 gallons (green)

24" W x 27" D x 42" H

3 - 4 garbage bags

1 Recycling Cart: 96 gallons (blue)

25" W x 35" D x 44.5" H

5 - 6 garbage bags

Residents can store the carts in the same place they currently store their waste. If residents do not have enough space, they can store their carts in their backyard, in a shed or against the side of their house or fence.

Please contact reception@howick.ca to report a damaged, lost or stolen cart.

No, bags are not needed for the inside of the carts. See below on how to place waste and recycling in your carts. 

For Household Waste: Tie your waste bags tightly before placing them inside your cart

For Recycling:  Place recyclables directly into your cart. Do NOT bag your recyclables. Make sure plastics and packaging, metal and aluminum, clear and colour glass and paper and fiber are empty and free from food residue. Flatten cardboard and paperboard. 

• Tilt the cart slightly towards you.
• Roll it using the wheels.
• Keep the lid closed while moving it.

Carts are designed to be easier to move than carrying multiple garbage bags.

Set your cart so that the wheels are away from the road (towards your home, and the lid opens to the road). 

•             Place recycling cart at least 3 feet in front of or beside fences or vehicles. 

•             Place your cart on a flat surface clear of snow and ice. 

•             Residents should have their cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on the morning of their scheduled collection day. 

For rural locations, place carts on the designated collection side of the road with the wheels placed away from the road. 

The wheeled carts are designed to move well in all weather, but our harsh winters can pose a challenge. Sometimes using a small plastic sled under the cart can help it glide over heavy snow in the winter months.

To make sure your carts are collected in winter:

• Clear a path to the carts.
• Place carts on level, shoveled ground.
• Do not place cards behind snowbanks.
• Keep cart lids fully closed.

If carts are blocked or not safely accessible, they may not be collected.

If you have a long or rural driveway, you must bring your cart to the end of your laneway on collection day.

You can either transport the cart to the end of your laneway on your pickup day, or there are many rural residents who prefer to build a small garbage enclosure at the end of their driveway.

This allows the cart to:

• Stay near the road.
• Be easily accessed for pickup.
• Reduce the need to move it long distances each week.

If you build an enclosure, just make sure that you:

• Place the enclosure on your property (not on the road allowance)
• Do not block traffic or sightlines.
• Ensure the carts can be easily rolled out for collection.
• Keep the area clear of snow and obstacles.

There are also commercially available vehicle accessories to allow towing or transportation of wheeled carts that residents may choose to purchase.

Residents requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact Waste Management directly at 1-800-561-1655.

 Please visit the Circular Materials website to complete the Special Accommodation Recycling Collection Form.

If you have access waste or recyclables that does not fit in your cart, you may bring it to the Howick Landfill. Please note that carts are intended for regular household waste only, and only items placed inside the cart will be collected at the curb. Large or bulky items must be taken directly to the landfill for disposal. A minimum disposal fee of $10 applies. Do not overload the cart or place recyclables beside the cart. They will not be collected.

No. Each cart is assigned to your address so it is important that the cart stays with the assigned property. When moving to a new home, leave your carts at your old home and use the carts that are at the new address. The previous owner or tenant in your new home should leave their cart behind. If there is no cart there when you move in, please contact the Township to request cart(s) at reception@howick.ca or call 519-335-3208. 

Automated collection means:

• residents roll their wheeled carts to the roadside
• 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.

Waste Management is transitioning from household waste bagged curbside collection to Wheeled Cart collection. This is being done to: 

· Reduce exposure to prevent driver fatality. 

· Decrease risk of driver injury. 

· Increase productivity to reduce operational and labour costs and keep rates competitive. · Improve skilled driver retention and satisfaction

There are currently no plans to offer a refund or buy-back program for garbage bag tags. The Township is providing several months notice to residents in advance of getting garbage and recycling carts and phasing out garbage bag tags.

Carts are being delivered free of charge to residential properties. Delivery is expected to run between July 6 - 25, 2026.

Information kits will be provided with the carts and include instructions and tips on cart usage.

Carts are assigned to each address, so do not move carts from one location to another.

Please store the carts on your property and do NOT use the carts until collection starts the week of August 3, 2026. If you do not receive your carts by July 25, 2026, please contact the Township Office at 519-335-3208 or email reception@howick.ca.  Please include your name and property address in the email.

There is no additional cost for the carts. This is a service that is being provided by the Township through the annual operating budget, which includes the Waste Management Contract.  

Each registered residential dwelling will receive one waste cart and one recycling cart. Commercial, industrial or institutional properties will receive one waste cart only. Additional carts are available to purchase at an additional cost. 

If you decline to use the program, you will be unable to participate in curbside collection services.

Residents may bring waste to the Howick Landfill, where a minimum disposal fee of $10 will apply.