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# Garbage
### Download the "MNC Curbside" app or use the calendar tool to find your collection calendar and to sign up for reminders and service alerts.
Garbage is collected every other week, alternating with recycling.
Carts that work with the automated collection trucks have been provided to households in North Cowichan. Each household is permitted to have one garbage cart. Garbage cart contents must not exceed the following weight limits:
* 80 litre cart - 36kg (79lbs)
* 120 litre cart - 59kg (130lbs)
* 240 litre cart - 109 kg (240lbs)
Garbage must not contain sharps such as syringes or broken glass. Pet waste must be double bagged.
## Common questions
Residents are encouraged to make use of the curbside organics and recycling programs as much as possible, which can help minimize the amount of household waste sent to the landfill.
###### Help divert waste from the landfill by:
* Maximizing your organics cart:
+ **Food scraps** such as fruit and vegetable peels, meat, bones, dairy products, and leftovers.
+ **Soiled or waxed paper products** like used paper towels, napkins, pizza boxes, and paper takeout containers.
+ **Yard waste** including grass clippings, leaves, and small branches.
* Recycling at the curbside and depot:
+ **Curbside recycling**: Place accepted items such as paper, cardboard, plastic containers, and metal cans into your bins and yellow bags. Be sure to rinse containers and flatten boxes to save space.
+ **Depot recycling**: Some items require special handling and should be taken to a recycling depot: batteries, Styrofoam packaging, electronics (e.g., phones, computers, TVs), soft plastics such as bread bags, chip bags, plastic wrap, and overwrap, glass containers, and scrap metal.
###### Additional tips:
* Reduce packaging waste by choosing products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
* Reuse items like jars, bags, and containers.
* Avoid single-use products when possible.
Garbage and organics are collected by a split-packer truck, which has two separate compartments. While it may look like the materials are being combined, they remain completely separate throughout the collection process. One compartments holds garbage, and the other holds organics. These materials are compressed separately and unloaded at different locations.
Using a split-packer truck allows for more efficient collection by reducing the need for two different vehicles, helping to lower emissions and streamline service - without compromising the separation of materials.
Excess garbage can be kept for your next collection day, or taken to a depot such as Bings Creek for disposal. Refer to the CVRD website for information on accepted materials, fees for disposal, and hours of operation.
If the 80L default garbage cart is not big enough for your household, an exchange form will be available in fall 2025 to request a larger cart. Note - larger carts have a higher annual service fee.
When placing sharp items (i.e. light bulbs and nails) in the garbage, please ensure that they are wrapped in a protective material, such as newsprint, before placing the items into the garbage.
Please note: syringes and needles are not accepted in curbside garbage collection. Most pharmacies offer a no-cost needle exchange program for their customers. Safe needle drop-boxes are also located throughout the Cowichan region as well as at Bings Creek and Peerless Road recycling centres.
* Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex (3900 Drinkwater Road, Duncan)
* Peerless Road Drop-off Depot (10830 Peerless Road, Ladysmith)
No, all apartment buildings, stratas, businesses, and institutional properties within the municipality are responsible for arranging their own waste collection. These buildings can either transport waste themselves to a drop-off depot or hire a private waste collection service.
## Related Links
* MyMuni Online Account Access
* Curbside schedules and waste wizard
* Curbside Automation
* Waste Collection Bylaw
## Contact information
**Operations**
Phone: 250-746-3106, After hours emergencies: 250-746-5112
E-mail: [email protected]