Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste

About Your Collection Service

• Do You Live on South Main? Here's How to Place Your Carts

  We've been receiving questions from residents living on South Main about how to place your carts to the curb on collection day, now that the bike lanes are in place. 

  We ask that you please place the carts in the bike lane, up against the curb nearest the roadway. This way, the Waste Collection trucks can reach the carts but bikes can still get by. If you have any further questions, please email us at climate-action@penticton.ca. 

• Changes to Curbside Collection starting June 30, 2025

  To improve service efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, important changes are coming to the waste collection system effective Monday, June 30, 2025. We’re moving from split trucks to single-packer trucks, meaning your waste collection carts will be collected by separate vehicles at different times. Carts will no longer be collected together at the same time. Please leave your cart at the curb until it has been emptied. There are no changes to the collection schedule, garbage will remain weekly and recycling and yard waste will be collected bi-weekly.

  To avoid missed pickups, please place all carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day and leave the carts out until they’ve both been emptied. It is also important to note that collection times will vary due to new routes. 

  These changes will help reduce contamination, streamline operations, and lower emissions.

• What to Do on Collection Day

  To ensure that the contents of your cart are safely and efficiently collected, please keep in mind the following:

  • Park: Park your carts at their designated collection point no later than 7:00 am on your regular day of collection.
  • Place: Place your carts so the arrows on the top of the lid are pointed towards the centre of the road or laneway. The wheels on the cart will be facing your home. The lid must be securely closed or collection will not occur.
  • Space: Park and Place your carts so that there is a minimum of 1m/3ft of space between the carts, and that obstacles such as trees and vehicles are a minimum of 1m/3ft away from your carts.

  Cart Reminders

  In order to safely and efficiently collect your garbage, recycling, and yard waste, we ask you to keep in mind the following:

  • Ensure the lid of your cart is firmly closed. Carts that are overfilled or with open lids will not be collected. This is important as carts with open lids have a high probability of breaking due to the mechanical arms on the automated garbage truck.
  • Leave a minimum of 1m/3ft of clear space around your carts. The mechanized arm that grasps your cart during the collection process needs the 1m/3ft of space in order to safely grab and dump your cart. Carts that are not spaced correctly or placed too close to vehicles or obstacles cannot be collected.
  • Place carts directly on the street and off of sidewalks. Ensure carts are facing forwards by having the arrows on the lid pointing towards the centre of the street/laneway, and have the wheels touching the curb. Carts that are placed on sidewalks cannot be collected because this creates a safety hazard for pedestrians.
• Not Sure What Goes Where?

  

   

  Visit our Recycling page to try the online Wizard tool

   

• Snowing Outside? Tips for Waste Collection

  Place your carts out at their designated collection point by 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled garbage day. Garbage collection may be limited in laneways and side streets that trucks cannot safely access. If your garbage is not collected by the end of the day, residents can place an extra bag of garbage alongside their carts on their next collection day.

  Tips for placing out carts during snow events: 

  • Find or clear an unobstructed spot to locate your carts. 
  • Consider placing one cart on either side of your driveway after it’s been cleared of snow.
  • Make sure carts are one metre away from any obstacles.
  • Please do not place any carts behind or on top of snow banks. 
  • Clear the lids of your carts of ice and snow.

  Carts not picked up? Please contact Waste Connections of Canada directly at 250-490-3888 or email csr-penticton-osoyoos@wasteconnections.com 

Test Your Recycling Skills

Contact Us

• Make Changes to Your Carts

  Do you need to change the sizes or quantity of carts at your home? Visit our Cart Program page to learn more about your options.

• Missed Collection?

  Garbage collection is a contracted service through Waste Connections of Canada. Please call them directly at 250-490-3888.

• Report a Concern or Suggestion

  Your feedback is appreciated! Please fill out our online Request a Service form and a City staff member will respond.  

  If your matter is urgent, you can contact Penticton City Yards at 250-490-2500 or email publicworks@penticton.ca.