Downtown Waste Collection

This program applies to restaurants, cafes and business that generate large volumes of food waste and are located within the downtown core and receive municipal waste collection services three times per week. Business owners are required to register their address and order the approved tote(s) from the City of Oshawa. Please ensure that staff and/or property managers understand the requirements of the program. The following outlines the requirements of the Downtown Restaurant Curbside Tote Collection Program for the municipal collection of garbage.

Before collection

• Mark the tote with your address
• The owner is responsible for cleaning, maintaining and replacing broken totes.
• The totes must be stored in a secure location between collections so as not to encourage illegal dumping
• Don't overfill the tote with garbage. The contents of the tote should come out easily.
• Garbage must be placed into garbage bags before placing material into the tote. Use a proper garbage bag, which must be strong, properly sealed and contain no sharp objects or materials that would otherwise be collected in the Region's blue box collection program
• Businesses are not eligible for large item collection. Large items such as furniture must be taken handled separately by the property owner/tenant through private collection services or disposal

Day of collection

• Set the tote(s) at the curb on time and on the right day. Leaving waste at the curb outside of the specified times, including over the weekend, encourages illegal dumping and attracts birds and rodents.
• Place totes at the curb either the night before, after 6 p.m., or the morning of collection day before 7 a.m.
• Bins must be placed at the curb so as not to block accessibility, movement in and out of stores, parking, or access to city infrastructure, such as benches and trees. Ideally, the totes should be placed in a location that is easily accessible by collection staff.
• Winter safety. Ensure material is free of snow and ice and is visible to the collection crew. Do not place material on top of snowbanks.

After collection

• Totes must be removed from the curb after collection to not encourage illegal dumping. Illegal dumping will be the responsibility of the owner.
• Secure and store totes in the same area where waste is currently stored.
• Keep totes clean and in good working order.

How do I register for a tote?

Business owners or their designate (manager) can register using the forms linked above. Alternatively, totes can be ordered by contacting Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311.

Who pays for the totes?

The City will subsidize half the cost of a business's first tote. Additional or replacement totes are available to purchase using the linked form. Businesses may be subject to costs associated with replacing damaged, vandalized or missing totes.

What size of totes are available?

There are two options for totes:

• 64 gal (240 L) Tote - Fits approximately four standard garbage bags
• 95 gal (360 L) Tote - Fits approximately six standard garbage bags

Can restaurants choose to share totes?

Restaurant owners may partner with a neighbouring restaurant to share totes. Indicate this through the registration process. Businesses sharing totes should place both addresses on the tote and agree on responsibilities.

Can I have more than one tote?

Yes. Additional totes should be used to accommodate all waste and can be purchased through the program. Please ensure that all waste from your restaurant can fit into the tote without overflowing.

What happens if my tote is broken or stolen?

There is a 10 year manufacturing default warranty on the totes. Damaged totes are reported by the business using the linked form. Form details must include the serial number so that we can work with the vendor to obtain a new tote. Sending a photo of the problem by email to Service Oshawa at service@oshawa.ca can be helpful.

Where a bin is damaged outside of the warranty due to handling, the City will replace the first tote at no cost. Replacement totes required due to vandalism or theft are available at a cost.

How do I order a tote for my restaurant?

Business owners or their designate (manager) can register and complete the online form to order a tote. Alternatively, totes can be ordered by contacting Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311.

Where should I place my tote for collection?

Totes must be placed in a location that is easily accessible by collection staff. For example, place totes on the sidewalk at the curb. Do not to block accessibility, movement in and out of stores, parking, or access to city infrastructure, such as benches and trees. During the winter months, the collection area should be free of snow and ice and visible to the collection crew. Do not place material on top of snowbanks.

When is garbage collected after a holiday?

Collections that fall on a holiday will be picked-up the next day. Collection will occur one day later for the remainder of the week. Visit the Holiday Collection page for a list of statutory holidays.

What happens if my business leaves downtown?

Totes must be left at the property for the new owner, who must contact the City.

Will this be enforced?

Yes - all downtown businesses must comply with the City's Waste Collection By-law and therefore are subject to enforcement. Under the Waste Collection By-law, the General Manager of Operations (Director) has approved this tote for municipal waste collection services associated with the Downtown Restaurant Curbside Tote Collection Program.