Big changes coming to garbage collection

WATERLOO REGION Big changes are coming to the way garbage is collected in Waterloo Region.

Beginning in March 2026, garbage and waste from the green bin will be collected at the curb with automated carts, said Olivia Kwok, a waste management supervisor at the Region of Waterloo.

“Residents will roll out garbage and organic carts to the curb where they set their waste now and then instead of a staff member manually by hand, lifting the materials and putting it in the truck, a robotic or mechanical arm will lift and empty the cart contents into the truck,” Kwok said in an interview Tuesday.

Guelph, Peel Region, Toronto and Simcoe County are among the municipalities that use automated carts.

Also coming in 2026, garbage and waste will only be picked four days a week. The main reason for this is to reduce garbage collection on statutory holidays, which often occur on Mondays, she said.