yard waste bags, garbage bags, green bin and blue boxes set out at the curb

Garbage, Recycling and Green Bin

hand holding smartphone displaying the Durham Region Waste App

We're going paperless

Download the Durham Region Waste App
Look up and print you schedule using our Waste Schedule tool
Set up notifications
Use the Know Before you Throw sorting tool
Purchase garbage bag tags
Book a large item collection
Register for the waste assistance program
Report a missed collection

Curbside residential waste collection

The City of Oshawa, in partnership with the Region of Durham, provides curbside waste collection services to residential properties with eight or less dwelling units. The City is responsible for collecting of garbage, green bin organics, yard waste and oversized items. The Region is responsible for collecting blue box recyclables and batteries.

Garbage

According to your collection schedule, garbage collection is the same day every other week. For more information about garbage collection, visit the Garbage page.

Green Bin

Green bin organics are collected on the same day as your blue box recycling collection every week. For more information about green bin collection, visit the Green Bin page.

blue boxes set out at the curb for collection

Recycling

Blue box recyclables are collected every week on the same day as your green bin collection. For more information about blue box collection, visit the Recycling page.

seasonal leaf and yard waste in paper yard waste bags

Seasonal Yard Waste

Yard waste is collected on the same day as your garbage collection from mid-April until the end of November. For more information about yard waste collection, visit the Yard Waste page.

yellow arm chair set out at the curb for collection

Large Item Collection

The large item collection program is for items that are too large to fit into a regular size garbage bag. For details about the program, visit the Large Item Collection page.

Materials left at the curb?

Were your materials left at the curb? Before calling Service Oshawa to report a missed collection, please review common set out mistakes on our Waste Tips page.

Report a missed collection

Collection Reminders

Excessive waste at the curb causes operational challenges. Please do your part and respect collection requirements:

Use the Know Before You Throw tool on our Waste Tips page to correctly sort your waste
Don't overfill garbage bags (maximum weight is 20 kg or 44 lbs) and keep waste to a minimum (four bag limit) or purchase additional garbage bag tags
Book ahead to have large items, including furniture, appliances and mattresses collected. Visit our Large Item Collection page for details
Excessive waste and materials, including construction material, concrete, drywall, wood waste, fill/soil, and hazardous waste, are not accepted at the curb. Learn how and where to dispose of these items, by visiting the Region's Waste Management Facilities page
Ensure that all garbage and green bin materials are bagged and securely tied. Loose items or bags that are broken will not be collected
Residents should not approach staff and respect the physical distance of at least 2 m. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Service Oshawa
Properly dispose of any household chemicals, such as paint, oil, pool chemicals and propane tanks. Learn how and where to dispose of these items, on the Region's Waste Management Facilities page

Multi-residential waste collection

The City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham provide municipal waste and recycling collection services at some multi-residential buildings. Multi-residential buildings include apartments with nine or more dwelling units and condominiums, including townhouse complexes that require private property access. For more information about this service and how to apply for collection visit our Multi-residential Waste Collection page.

Waste Assistance Programs

Many waste assistance programs are available to Oshawa community members. Review the information below for more details about each of the programs, including:

how to participate
proof of eligibility requirements
forms required
further instructions for each assistance program

Special Consideration for Garbage Bag Limits Program

This program provides assistance to:

a community member with a medical condition that generates excessive waste
a community member with three or more children under the age of three
a community member with a disability who cannot transport a full sized bag to the curb and needs to distribute their waste between smaller bags.

If approved, this City will provide participants with an annual allotment of bag tags (50). Participants can then go beyond the four bag limit when placing waste at the curb by affixing a bag tag to each additional bag. Participants are responsible for complying with all other requirements in the City's Waste Collection By-law.

Program Requirements

The community member must live in a single family dwelling
If applying due to a medical condition:
- Proof of medical condition that generates excessive waste is required
If applying as a resident with 3 or more children under the age of 3:
- Name and birth dates of children are required
If applying as a person with a disability:
- Proof of disability that limits the ability to lift heavy bags is required
  and
- There must be no residents without disabilities living at the residence

Proof of Eligibility

Access 2 Entertainment card
Accessible Parking Permit issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (M.T.O.)
Canada Pension Plan (C.P.P.) Disability Benefit card
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (C.N.I.B.) client card
Disability Travel card
Doctor's note or signature on the application
Ontario Disability Support Program (O.D.S.P.) receipt

How to Participate

Submit a completed Application for Special Consideration for Bag Limits to Service Oshawa.
The community member applying due to a disability, must provide proof of eligibility.
Contact Service Oshawa to advise if any conditions of your application change.
Place a bag tag around the neck of each bag over the four bag limit every two weeks.
By providing your licence plate number on the application form, you may also take extra bags to the Region's Waste Management Facility (1640 Ritson Rd. N.) at no charge. Garbage must be placed in clear plastic bags with a bag tag on each bag. Contact the Region of Durham for more information at 905-579-5264.

Waste Assistance Large Item Collection Program

Residential properties receiving municipal collection services can book one free collection per year. This program waives the $35 fee for any additional large item collections scheduled in a given calendar year up to three collections over and above the first free collection.

Having a limit on exempt collections improves operational efficiencies. Ensuring those registered for the Waste Assistance Large Item Collection Program combine items set out for collection to avoid single item setouts.

Program Requirements

Resident must live in a single family dwelling, semi-detached, duplex, or building with two or less dwelling units that receives municipal waste collection services
Note: buildings with three or more dwelling units or that require the Landlord/Property Manager to book the Large Item Collection do not qualify for the program
Community members must be at least 65 years of age or have a disability
Community members must reside at the address for which the collection is being booked
There must be no community members without disabilities under the age of 65 living at the residence
Community members must provide proof of senior status or disability with the application
Participants are responsible to comply with all other requirements in the City's Waste Collection By-law.

Proof of Eligibility

Access 2 Entertainment card
Accessible Parking Permit issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (M.T.O.)
Canada Pension Plan (C.P.P.) Disability Benefit card
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (C.N.I.B.) client card
Disability travel card
Doctor's note or signature on the application
Ontario Disability Support Program (O.D.S.P.) receipt

How to Participate

Submit a completed Application for Waste Assistance Large Item Collection Program to Service Oshawa.
Community members applying due to a disability must provide proof of eligibility.
Contact Service Oshawa if any conditions of your application change.

Waste Collection Cart Program

This program allows a resident with a disability to leave their garbage on an approved cart for collection. The City will issue a sticker which must be placed on the cart to identify it as an approved cart to City collection staff. Participants are responsible for complying with all other requirements in the City's Waste Collection By-law.

Carts must be approved by the City. Please note:

The City does not purchase or supply carts to eligible participants
Carts must not require waste collection staff to reach in to remove garbage

Many local home and garden supply stores provide several options. Consider a:

Wagon or utility cart: place your garbage bags, recycling and green bin on the wagon. Be sure the wheels are heavy duty.
Garbage can with wheels: remove the lid for collection (maximum 32 gal can)

Please remember that the City is not responsible for lost or stolen carts – consider marking the cart with your address.

Program Requirements

Community members must live in a single family dwelling
There must be no community members without disabilities under the age of 65 living at the residence
Community members must have a disability that prevents them from lifting waste from a cart for collection by City staff
Proof of eligibility must accompany each application

Proof of Eligibility

Access 2 Entertainment card
Accessible Parking Permit issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (M.T.O.)
Canada Pension Plan (C.P.P.) Disability Benefit card
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (C.N.I.B.) client card
Disability travel card
Doctor's note or signature on the application
Ontario Disability Support Program (O.D.S.P.) receipt

How to Participate

Submit a completed Application for Waste Collection Cart Program to Service Oshawa.
Waste Operations will mail or drop off a program sticker. The program sticker must be affixed to approved cart and be clearly visible for collection.
Advise Service Oshawa if any conditions of your application change