Cart-based waste collection

A black bin and a green bin along the curb in front of houses.

Council approved the use of 120L carts as the standard for cart-based collection at its May 7, 2024, meeting. The approximate dimensions of the carts will be 48.6 cm by 95.5 cm. Further details are yet to be determined and will be presented to Council in late 2024 to early 2025.

The City of Kingston’s current waste collection system is a manual system, with garbage picked up by hand in bags or from containers and organics from small green bins. The waste industry as a whole has been undergoing significant changes in recent years and many cities and towns

A black bin and a green bin along the curb in front of houses.

Council approved the use of 120L carts as the standard for cart-based collection at its May 7, 2024, meeting. The approximate dimensions of the carts will be 48.6 cm by 95.5 cm. Further details are yet to be determined and will be presented to Council in late 2024 to early 2025.

The City of Kingston’s current waste collection system is a manual system, with garbage picked up by hand in bags or from containers and organics from small green bins. The waste industry as a whole has been undergoing significant changes in recent years and many cities and towns have begun collecting garbage and organics using automated trucks. These trucks pick up dedicated carts using a mechanical arm attached to the truck, and no manual lifting is required. Kingston will be moving to an automated Garbage and Green Bin collection program starting in 2025.

The transition will require that residents be provided with collection carts that are compatible with the automated truck and the City would provide these carts for solid waste and organics collection. The benefits of this program include cleaner streets with less mess, impactful health and safety improvements for staff, and a more accessible solid waste collection system for all residents.

The City seeks to inform and consult the public on various components of the transition to the fully automated collection program including but not limited to cart sizes, collection frequency, cart storage and options for additional waste collections.

Get involved

  • Starting Jan. 18, fill out our survey to provide feedback on cart sizes and collection frequency. The survey closes Friday, Feb. 9, at 4 p.m.
  • Feedback can also be shared by phone or email. Please call 613-546-0000 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact us at wastestrategies@cityofkingston.ca.
  • Review questions and answers in the Q&A tab below.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Cart-based waste collection options

    Kingston will be moving to an automated garbage and green bin collection program starting in 2025. These specialized trucks pick up dedicated carts using a mechanical arm attached to the truck, and no manual lifting is required. To move forward with the program, more feedback is required from residents about preferences on options regarding the frequency of collection, cart size and cost and large item pick up. The feedback collected in this survey may be considered in staff recommendations to Council. 


    About the carts

    Garbage carts are subject to manufacturing and industry standards. The most popular sizes at the open houses was the 120L cart, followed by the 240L cart, shown below. Green bins are available in 100L and 120L sizes, depending on the manufacturer. These potential options were developed based on the feedback we received during previous engagements and municipal operational capabilities. A chart showing three different garbage can sizes. The first column is a black garbage can. It is 120 litres and measures 50 centimetres or 19.7 inches wide and 100 centimetres or 39.4 inches tall. It is the equivalent of one to two garbage bags. The second column shows a small black garbage cart. It is 120 litres and measures 48.6 centimetres or 19.125 inches wide and 95.5 centimetres or 37.625 inches tall. It is the equivalent of one to two garbage bags. The third column shows a medium black garbage cart. It is 62.2 centimetres or 24.5 inches wide and 109 centimetres or 43.25 inches tall. It is the equivalent of 3 to 4 garbage bags.

    Before beginning this survey, residents should be aware the following assumptions were made regarding a cart-based waste collection program:

    • The City has confirmed that it is moving to a cart-based collection system.
    • Accessibility needs related to the carts will be addressed by the City on a case-by-case basis.
    • Recycling collection will be the responsibility of recycling producers beginning on July 1, 2025, and is not in the scope of this transition or public engagement.
    • Carts for automated collection are subject to industry standards for sizing. Garbage cart sizes that are available are 120L, 240L and 360L. Available green bin sizes are 100L and 120L (depending on the manufacturer).
    • No roll-out plans have been developed and per-unit costs have not been confirmed at this point.


    Survey closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9.

     
    Estimated time to complete the survey: 7 minutes.
    Feedback can also be shared by phone or email. Please call 613-546-0000 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact us at wastestrategies@cityofkingston.ca.