Waste Collection Calendar
Not sure when your garbage or recycling day is? Check out our Waste Management GIS page entering your address to find out your collection day! Garbage must include a full bag tag for collection, please see guidelines below under 'Bag Tags'.
View or print a 2023 Waste Management Calendar here. Printed copies are also available at City Hall.
For an e-reader-accessible version of the Waste Management Calendar, please email communications@owensound.ca with your waste pick-up address.
Garbage Collection
All garbage must have a City of Owen Sound bag tag.
Please make sure that your garbage, blue box, and corrugated cardboard are placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the appropriate day.
Garbage bags can be no larger than 89 cm x 127 cm (35 in x 50 in), and garbage cans no larger than 136 litres (30 Imperial Gallon) capacity.
Garbage bags or containers are limited to 18 kg (40 lbs), including the container. There is a limit of 4 bags or containers per unit, and each one must have a City Bag Tag.
Please flatten and bundle all corrugated cardboard placed at the curb for collection on the appropriate Monday.
Download the 2023 Waste Management Calendar here.
Bag Tags |
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The City of Owen Sound uses a bag tag payment program to encourage recycling and put a value on our environment. A bag tag is required on each bag or container placed at the curb for pick-up. You may set out up to 4 bags or containers of garbage every other week for collection. If you live in the downtown core, waste is collected every week and there is a 3 bag limit. Reminder: There is a 40lb (18kg) weight limit on each bag or can of tagged garbage. Retail bag tag locations are as follows:
*Bag tags can be purchased individually at City Hall, Public Works, the Transit Terminal and the Library for $2.50 individually or in groups of 5 for $12.50. Retail outlets selling bag tags will only sell in groups of 5 for $12.50. Garbage Bag Tag Guidelines
To make sure your garbage will be collected, please ensure the entire Owen Sound bag tag is visible.
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Prohibited Materials for Curbside Collection |
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Below is a list of materials that cannot be put in your garbage for curbside collection:
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Miller Waste Transfer Station |
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If you have more than 4 bags of garbage (the bi-weekly allowable limit for collection), you can take it directly to the Miller Waste Transfer Station. Ensure these bags do not have bag tags on them, as Miller Waste has outlined disposal fees for their services.
2085 20th Avenue East. The City of Owen Sound's recycling drop-off depot is also located at the transfer station.
The following list of materials must be separated from your garbage and placed in the appropriate bin or area at the Miller Waste Transfer Station:
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Community Clean Up Carts |
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The River District and the City of Owen Sound have teamed up to create the Community Clean Up Cart, the first initiative under the Locals Love It Here Campaign. This campaign is focused on people showing their love for the City of Owen Sound and the heart of the city, the River District. For more information about booking one of these carts, check out the Community Clean Up Carts web page.
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Recycle Collection
Please note that blue box recycling in Owen Sound is now managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization that is committed to building efficient and effective recycling systems in Ontario and across Canada.
Circular Materials - Owen Sound Recycling website
This transition means no change to the materials you can recycle or your collection calendar. Please direct all recycling inquiries and Blue Box needs to Miller Waste Systems at (519) 372-1855.
Blue Box Recycling |
Residents can recycle using either the standard blue box or transparent plastic bags, but it must be properly sorted. Blue boxes can be purchased through Miller Waste Systems. |
Material List |
To ensure your recycling is collected, please properly sort all bags and containers. A list of all items that can and cannot be accepted can be found by using our Owen Sound Recycling Guide. When recycling in clear plastic bags, please refer to the Clear Bag Sorting Guide. |
Corrugated Cardboard Recycling |
Corrugated cardboard is thick cardboard, often used for packing boxes, etc. Boxes must be flattened and tied in a bundle when placed at the curb for pick up. Unlike boxboard (such as cereal boxes), this will not be accepted in the regular curbside blue box collection. Corrugated cardboard is picked up separately every Wednesday in the downtown core (before 6:00 a.m.) and approximately one Monday per month throughout the rest of the city (before 8:00 a.m.), with the exception of the Industrial Park. To see your property's cardboard pick-up dates, see the Waste Collection Calendar here. |
Electronics Recycling |
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the certified collection point for the Ontario Electronic Stewardship Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. At no cost, you can drop off electronics, including computers and peripherals (keyboards/mice), fax machines, televisions and cell phones. For a list of accepted e-waste items please visit the Owen Sound ReStore e-waste items page or call (519) 371-6776. Grey Bruce ReStore location: 223017 Grey Road 17 (Springmount) |
Battery Recycling |
Batteries thrown in the trash or recycling bin can spark and possibly cause a fire, and batteries that end up in landfills can be harmful to wildlife and the environment. Used batteries can be safely recycled at Public Works during regular business hours, or on Household Hazardous Waste days. For more information and other battery recycling options, please visit www.call2recycle.ca. |
Mandatory Recycling By-Law |
The Mandatory Recycling By-Law has information for industrial, commercial and institutional facilities. |
Household Hazardous Waste
This service is open to residents of:
- City of Owen Sound
- Township of Chatsworth
- Municipality of Meaford
- Township of Georgian Bluffs
- Municipality of Grey Highlands
All residents attending the Household Hazardous Waste facility must bring valid ID indicating their home address from the townships listed above. Attendees must also complete the Hazardous Waste Form here.
Material List |
Household Hazardous Waste includes materials that are corrosive, oxidizing, flammable or poisonous. Acceptable items include:
Unacceptable items include:
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Household Hazardous Waste Printable Form |
All residents visiting the Household Hazardous Waste facility are required to fill out the form below. |
Operation Dates and Location |
The City is prohibited by law from accepting hazardous waste at any other time. Household hazardous waste cannot be transported on City buses. Carpooling with neighbours is encouraged. City of Owen Sound Public Works Building Open 9:00am to 2:00pm on the following Saturdays: 2023 Dates:
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Waste Reduction
Goods Exchange Day |
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The Goods Exchange Day program is designated to provide an opportunity for City residents to leave items that are no longer useful to them but may still be useful to others. Place items at the end of your driveway or edge of your lawn on the appropriate dates listed below to indicate these are goods exchange day items. Some acceptable items include:
The City does not assume any liability for items lost or removed during goods exchange days. Leftover items must be removed by 6:00 p.m. that evening as there will be no special municipal collection. 2023 Dates:
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Leaf & Yard Waste Compost Site |
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The City of Owen Sound does not collect leaf and yard waste at the curb (even if it has a bag tag). It must be brought to the composting facility that is located at 2450 28th Avenue East (the southwest corner of the intersection of 28th Avenue East and 26th Street East, north of 20th Street East). The Leaf & Yard Waste composting facility is for the City of Owen Sound, Township of Georgian Bluffs and Municipality of Meaford Residential Use ONLY. All compost information, including hours, accepted materials, and helpful tips, can be found at OwenSound.ca/Compost |
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Ways to Reduce Waste |
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RefuseDo not take items unless you’re going to use them. Say ‘no’ to bags, receipts, extra napkins and cutlery. Avoid produce and other items wrapped in too much packaging. ReuseUse reusable bags for shopping and gift giving, reusable bottles and mugs instead of disposables when on the go and real dishes and cutlery at events. When shopping, consider thrift stores and garage sales, as well as buying items in bulk using your own containers. Re-purposeFind new uses for things you would otherwise throw away. A few examples include using cookie tins for storage, turning old clothes into rags, using cans as pencil holders and using old jars as vases or food storage containers. SwapAttend or organize a swap with friends or neighbours. The Swap It Toolkit Borrow/Share/RentConsider borrowing or sharing less frequently used items, such as tools, party supplies, camping gear, sports equipment, board games and toys. Lawn mowers and ladders can be shared with neighbours, while clothing can be rented for special events. RepairExtend the life of items like clothing, appliances and electronics by repairing them and keep an eye out for repair events in the community. Shop ConsciouslyPlan ahead, buy only what you need, and consider the impact of packaging when making purchases. DonateGive clothing, books, toys and more a new life by donating them. |
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Reusable Alternatives |
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Try one of these sustainable swaps to help reduce your everyday waste.
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Reducing Clothing & Other Textile Waste |
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Textiles, like clothing or furniture, that are put into the garbage end up in landfills, where they take up valuable space and release greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. Manufacturing clothing also has a significant environmental impact from the raw materials and energy used to the pollution created in the process. Reusing or re-purposing clothing extends its life. Ways to Shrink Your Clothing Footprint
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Long-Term Waste Management Plan & Strategy
Owen Sound City Council adopted the Long-Term Waste Management Plan on October 22, 2007, following a public process in order to maximize waste diversion.
In 2022, the City of Owen Sound developed a Waste Management Strategy to provide strategic direction for managing the City’s waste. Through this Strategy, the City examined how new approaches in waste management and consumer trends will shape the future of waste management in Owen Sound and how to improve our current waste management system for a more sustainable future. City Council approved the final version of the Waste Management Strategy on May 8, 2023.
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