Most Toronto houses get their green bin picked up every week, with garbage and recycling collected on alternating weeks. Since January 1, 2026, the blue bin is no longer run by the City: a producer-funded organization, Circular Materials, now handles residential recycling, while the City keeps garbage, green bin and yard waste. Here is how it all works, what it costs and how to avoid a missed pickup.
Your collection day depends on your address. The City of Toronto publishes 2026 collection calendars by area and day (for example, “Friday Day 2”), and the free TOwaste app shows your schedule and sends reminders the night before. The app also has a search tool (the “Waste Wizard”) that tells you which bin an item belongs in. Most downtown streets with nighttime collection follow separate curbside maps, so check which system your street uses.
Under Ontario’s producer-responsibility rules, the City stopped managing residential recycling on January 1, 2026. According to the City, Circular Materials now collects blue bins from houses and some multi-residential buildings, schools and long-term care homes. For residents, most things stay the same:
Garbage, green bin, yard waste and oversized items are still City services, so 311 remains the contact for those.
Toronto’s trucks use automated arms, so placement matters. The City’s set-out rules:
In winter, never place bins on or behind snowbanks. Clear a spot at the curb so the arm can reach the bin; our Toronto snow clearing guide explains who clears what after a storm.
Toronto charges for garbage through the solid waste utility, billed with your water bill. The 2026 annual rates published by the City:
| Bin size | Capacity | 2026 annual rate | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 75 L (about 1 bag) | $317.85 | 30 kg |
| Medium | 120 L (about 1.5 bags) | $385.86 | 50 kg |
| Large | 240 L (about 3 bags) | $524.06 | 100 kg |
| Extra-large | 360 L (about 4.5 bags) | $607.86 | 150 kg |
Downsizing your bin is free; upsizing costs $29.29. Every home also pays $23.23 a year for oversized and metal item collection. If you occasionally have extra garbage, you can set out a bag with a City garbage tag ($6.81 per tag in 2026) next to your bin; each bag can weigh up to 20 kg. Tags are sold online and at Toronto Canadian Tire stores.
Low-income seniors and people with a disability whose household income is $62,000 or less can apply for a 2026 rebate, ranging from $227.01 (small bin) to $72.41 (large bin). There is no rebate on the extra-large bin.
Toronto’s green bin program accepts food scraps (including meat, bones and dairy), soiled paper towels and tissues, and diapers and sanitary products. Plastic bags can be used to line the bin. Do not put yard waste in the green bin: leaves and branches are collected separately in paper yard waste bags or open containers on scheduled yard waste days, which are included in your fees. When in doubt, check the item in the TOwaste app.
During storms, hold electronics and oversized items until your next garbage day.
Multi-residential buildings usually have a garbage chute or room and shared bins, and collection is arranged at the building level. Some buildings moved to Circular Materials for recycling in 2026, others did not. Ask your property manager how your building sorts organics and recycling. If you are new to the city, our newcomer checklist lists other set-up tasks for your first weeks.
Heavy snow and holidays can delay pickup. Leave bins out until the end of the day before reporting, and check the TOwaste app for holiday schedule changes.
Solid waste charges are billed with your City of Toronto utility bill, separately from property tax. A household with a medium bin pays $385.86 a year in 2026, plus the $23.23 oversized item charge, about $34 a month in total. Homeowners can see how this fits alongside taxes and mortgage costs in our Toronto property tax 2026 guide and our cost of living breakdown.
Yes, for daytime collection: no earlier than 8 p.m. the night before, and before 7 a.m. on collection day.
No. Since January 1, 2026, missed blue bin pickups and bin repairs go to Circular Materials. Use 311 for garbage, green bin and yard waste.
Request a bin exchange through the City; downsizing is free and lowers your annual solid waste charge.
No. Bins belong to the property and stay at the address.
Last updated: November 2026
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