Starting September 29, 2026, residents in Simcoe, Ontario, will no longer be able to buy tags for extra garbage bags as the community moves to a new automated pickup system. This change means that Norfolk County will only collect trash that fits entirely inside the new 240-litre carts provided to each home.
The new system uses trucks with mechanical arms to lift the carts, so drivers will not be getting out to pick up extra bags or loose items left on the ground. According to community consultations, the previous option to pay for extra bags with a sticker or tag will be completely removed when the new service begins to keep the trucks moving efficiently.
Garbage collection will also change to once every two weeks instead of every week. To help residents manage their waste with less frequent pickups, the county is launching a new weekly green bin program to collect food scraps and other organic materials.
The Norfolk County 2026 Waste Collection Calendar indicates that these updates are being made to improve worker safety and follow provincial rules for recycling. Households that have more trash than the cart can hold will need to take the extra waste to a local disposal site themselves and pay a fee.
