Starting May 3, 2027, residents in Tillsonburg will see significant changes to how their waste is collected, including the introduction of a new green bin program for food scraps and a shift to a six-day collection cycle.
The new service model, implemented by Oxford County, will require residents to adjust to a collection day that moves forward by one day each week, skipping weekends and holidays. Under this system, garbage and green bins will be picked up on the same day. To assist with the transition, the county will provide every household with a free 45-litre green bin for curbside pickup and a 7-litre kitchen container for food scraps before the program begins.
These changes are designed to help divert waste from the local landfill, which has an estimated remaining lifespan of 27 to 32 years. A 2021 audit revealed that organic material made up more than half the weight of the average garbage bag in the county. The new schedule is also expected to provide long-term financial benefits, with officials noting that the six-day model could save the county roughly $1.7 million annually compared to the current five-day setup.
While the program aims for efficiency, the shift has prompted discussion at the council level. Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy has raised concerns regarding how local seniors will manage the rotating collection schedule, noting that relying on digital app notifications may not be accessible for all residents.
In addition to the green bin rollout, residents should be aware that the responsibility for blue box recycling services has already transitioned to Circular Materials, a change that took effect on January 1, 2026, as part of a broader provincial shift in how recycling is managed. Furthermore, the cost for garbage bag tags rose to $3 per bag on January 1, 2026. This increase, the first since 2014, was implemented to help keep pace with the rising costs of waste collection services.
Residents can find more information about these upcoming service updates at the official Oxford County waste collection portal.
