Changes Coming to Howick's Curbside Garbage & Recycling Pickup
Starting mid-Summer 2026, your curbside garbage and recycling pickup will be changing in Howick. You'll receive wheeled garbage and recycling carts, with bi-weekly, automated collection. Garbage bag tages will be eliminated. Here's what these changes mean for you, and how to be prepared.
Your curbside waste and recycling collection services are changing in Summer 2026.
Here's what you need to know:
- All residential properties will receive a wheeled garbage cart and wheeled recycling cart.
- Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties will receive a wheeled garbage cart only.
- Garbage and recycling collection will continue to be collected every two weeks on Mondays.
- Bag tags will no longer be used.
Waste Management will continue to provide collection services as the Township's contracted provider.
What's Changing
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.
Right now:
- Nothing changes! We'll share more details soon.
- Don't purchase too many bag tags at once, as they will no longer be used once we transition to wheeled waste carts.
Before Mid-Summer 2026:
- Watch for information about cart delivery.
- Make space in your garage, shed etc. for your garbage and recycling carts to be stored.
- Make space at the end of your driveway for your cart.
Why Waste Management is Making This Change
The new system will:
- Increase storage capacity between collections.
- Improve safety for workers and reduce the risk of injury and accidents.
- Minimize litter and reduce odour and pest issues.
- Modernize equipment and service.
- Eliminate bag tags.
Cart Use FAQ
We know you may have questions about using wheeled carts. Here are the answers to the most common questions we've received.
- 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.
Timeline
Now - Summer 2026
Planning and public updates
Summer 2026 (anticipated)
Cart delivery and education campaign
Late Summer/Early Fall 2026 (estimated)
New wheeled cart collection begins
More Information is Coming
Before the new program starts, we will share:
- Cart delivery timing
- Route maps
- Set-out instructions
- Accepted materials list
Check back here for updates as we get closer to Summer 2026.