Starting March 2, 2026, the Region of Waterloo in Ontario has officially removed the limit on how many garbage bags residents can set out at the curb. This change comes as the community moves to a new system using standardized black carts for garbage pickup.
While there is no longer a set limit on bags, households must now use their new black carts for their regular collection. Any extra bags that do not fit inside the cart must have an official garbage tag attached to them. These tags cost $3 each and are sold in sheets of five for $15.
To have extra bags picked up, the black cart must be placed at the curb alongside them. Most households were given a large 240-litre cart, which holds roughly the same amount of garbage as the previous three-bag limit. Residents are required to use their assigned cart for a six-month trial period before they can ask for a different size at no cost in the fall of 2026.
Along with these changes, blue box recycling is now collected every two weeks. This service is now managed by an organization called Circular Materials instead of the regional government.
These updates are part of a larger plan to modernize waste services and improve safety for workers. The new system uses automated trucks to pick up the carts, which helps reduce litter on local streets.
