Changes Coming to Howick's Curbside Garbage & Recycling Pickup

Waste Management, in partnership with Township staff, will be hosting an 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.

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.

Each household will receive a Waste Management-issued wheeled garbage cart and recycling cart.

• Carts have wheels and attached lids.
• Collection trucks will use automated lifting arms to lift and dump waste and recycling into the truck.
• Carts help improve safety for collection staff and increase efficiency.
• Garbage Carts are 64 gallon and Recycling Carts are 95 gallon. 

• 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.

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:

• Do not block traffic or sightlines.
• Ensure the carts can be easily rolled out for collection.
• Keep the area clear of snow and obstacles.

This is optional, but it can be a helpful solution for long driveways.

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.

Before launch, we will provide detailed set-out instructions. In general:

• Place carts at the end of your driveway.
• Face carts so that the wheels are away from the curb (towards your home, with the lids opening towards the street).
• Place recycling and garbage carts at least 3 feet in front of or beside fences, vehicles, mailboxes, snowbanks or other collecton carts.
• Make sure cart lids is fully closed.

If all of your recyclables don't fit, save them for your next collection day. Do not overload the cart or place recyclables beside the cart. They will not be collected.

Recycling bins will not be accepted in your curbside recycling. Consider reusing it for storage or re-purposing it for another use.