---
title: "Burnaby garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected, and what are the rules for carts, limits, and extra bags?"
place: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/burnaby
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Burnaby
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Burnaby garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

**Question:** When is garbage collected, and what are the rules for carts, limits, and extra bags?

**Short answer:** The City of Burnaby collects garbage from houses and duplexes every other week; recycling and green bin (food scraps and yard waste) are weekly. Find your day in the City's collection calendar or app. Carts go out by 7 a.m. on collection day and come back in by 8 p.m.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Burnaby, https://www.burnaby.ca)  
**Cost:** Houses, duplexes and row housing with curbside service pay an annual charge by garbage cart size: 120 L $73, 180 L $159, 240 L $169, 360 L $447 (no tax; schedule marked in effect January 1, 2026). 5% discount if paid by the due date. Cart size exchange $52. Replacement cart $91.84 to $123.20 with taxes.  
**How long:** Garbage every other week; recycling and green bin weekly.  
**Where:**
- Online: Curbside collection calendar and collection app (Houses & Duplexes page), https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/houses-and-duplexes
- Phone: Solid Waste and Recycling, 604-294-7972
- Email: Solid Waste and Recycling (cart size changes, send the Receptacle Change Request Form), solidwasteandrecycling@burnaby.ca

## Key facts

- **How often:** Houses and duplexes: recyclables, food scraps and yard waste (green bin) are collected weekly; garbage is collected every other week.
  - Source: [Houses & Duplexes, Curbside collection calendar](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/houses-and-duplexes)
  - Official wording: "We provide weekly curbside collection of recyclables, food scraps and yard waste for houses and duplexes and collect garbage every other week."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Look up your next date in the City's curbside collection calendar (a yearly PDF, in several languages) or use Burnaby's collection app for weekly reminders. Questions: Solid Waste and Recycling, 604-294-7972, solidwasteandrecycling@burnaby.ca.
  - Source: [Houses & Duplexes, Curbside collection calendar](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/houses-and-duplexes)
  - Official wording: "To find your next collection date and learn how to dispose of waste properly and safely, look at the collection calendar." … "You can also download Burnaby’s collection app on your mobile device to get weekly collection reminders" … "604-294-7972"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Garbage bins: 120, 180, 240 or 360 L; green bins: 180, 240 or 360 L. To change size, email the Receptacle Change Request Form (utility account number required) to solidwasteandrecycling@burnaby.ca; exchange fee $52. Missing or damaged bin: call 604-294-7972; replacement $91.84 to $123.20 with taxes ($82 to $110 before tax in the fee bylaw). (Sources differ: The City's Food Scraps & Yard Waste page says a $50 exchange fee; the fee bylaw and the Houses & Duplexes page say $52. The bylaw is followed. Fee schedule marked 'In effect January 1, 2026'.)
  - Source: [Receptacle Change Request Form](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2022-04/Receptacle%20Request%20Form.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Complete if exchanging existing receptacle(s)" … "From: (size) 120L 180L 240L 360L" … "UTILITY ACCOUNT NUMBER (MUST BE PROVIDED)" … "120L $91.84** $73.00" … "360L $123.20** $447.00" … "One-Time Exchange Fee Per Address: $52**"
  - Source: [Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule C9(A), Schedule C9(A), E and F](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Exchange Fee – (payable for all container exchanges) $52.00" … "o 120 L (available for garbage container only) $82.00" … "o 360 L $110.00"
  - Source: [Houses & Duplexes, Houses and duplexes](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/houses-and-duplexes)
  - Official wording: "A $52 service fee applies for bin exchanges." … "Missing or damaged garbage or green bin?" … "You can pick up replacement blue or grey boxes and yellow bags—1 per customer—at the Eco-Centre."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts at the collection point at the property boundary no earlier than 8 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, with at least 1 m clear on all sides and 3 m above; bring empty carts and anything uncollected back by 8 p.m. on collection day. In a designated bear area the window is 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on collection day. Lids' arrows point toward the lane or street. (Sources differ: The bylaw lets carts out from 8 p.m. the day before; the City's Houses & Duplexes page says 'not the night before'. The bylaw is followed (conflict flagged). Both agree on 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. return.)
  - Source: [Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 2010 (No. 12875), consolidated, s. 5(6)(f), (h); s. 8A(3)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no earlier than 8:00 p.m. on the day" … "before collection day and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the collection day;" … "no later than 8:00 p.m. on collection day unless otherwise directed by the" … "no earlier than 5:30 a.m. and no later than 7:00 a.m."
  - Source: [Houses & Duplexes, On collection day](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/houses-and-duplexes)
  - Official wording: "Set out your recycling, green bin and garbage in your lane or street by 7 am on the collection day—not the night before." … "Bring all your containers back inside your property and secure them by 8 pm on collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** A single family property has one garbage cart only; a two family property has one per primary dwelling unit; row housing one per dwelling. The Engineer may approve an extra cart free of charge for a medical condition, and a single or two family property with 3 or more dwelling units may have one extra if the first is the largest size (charged). Garbage must be bagged; lids must close (overflow is a lid open more than 45 degrees). Large items need an appointment: houses and duplexes can book up to 3 items per Large Item Pickup.
  - Source: [Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 2010 (No. 12875), consolidated, ss. 5(2), (2A), (2B), (6)(i), 9(4); s. 2(25A)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a single family property shall have one garbage receptacle only;" … "where an owner or occupant has a medical condition that results in a quantity of non-hazardous solid waste which exceeds the" … "ensure that garbage is bagged before being placed in the garbage receptacle." … "the lid being open to an angle of more than 45 degrees"
  - Source: [Food Scraps & Yard Waste, Q&A](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/food-scraps-and-yard-waste)
  - Official wording: "don’t overfill your green bin—the lid must be closed for collection"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Houses, duplexes and row housing with curbside service pay an annual charge by garbage cart size (no tax): 120 L $73; 180 L $159; 240 L $169; 360 L $447. A 5% discount applies if paid by the due date. The 2% late charge does not apply to this charge; unpaid amounts at December 31 are added to taxes.
  - Source: [Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule C9(A), Schedule C9(A), F](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "o 120 L (available for garbage container only) $73.00" … "o 180 L $159.00" … "o 240 L $169.00" … "o 360 L $447.00" … "Annual Charge per dwelling based on garbage receptacle volume" … "5% discount"
  - Source: [Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 2010 (No. 12875), consolidated, s. 9(1), 9(5), 9(6)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Late payment charges shall be payable at the rate of 2% of the amount of the overdue charges" … "Any charge imposed under this Bylaw, other than one imposed under subsection (1), shall be subject to late payment charges if not paid by the due date." … "which is unpaid on December 31, is deemed to be taxes in arrear"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 2010 (Bylaw No. 12875); charges in Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 14485, Schedule C9(A).
  - Source: [Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 2010 (No. 12875), consolidated, title](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BURNABY SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING BYLAW 2010"
  - Source: [Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule C9(A)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE C9 (A) – SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING BYLAW"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf), houses and duplexes in Burnaby get garbage collected every other week, with recycling, food scraps and yard waste weekly. Look up your date in the City's curbside collection calendar (a yearly PDF in several languages) or use the collection app for reminders. Apartments, condos and townhouses have different service; see the City's pages.

## Steps

1. Put garbage in bags, then in your cart; the lid must close (a lid open more than 45 degrees counts as overflow).
2. Put the cart at the collection point at the property boundary no earlier than 8 p.m. the day before and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, with at least 1 m clear on all sides and 3 m above. In a designated bear area the window is 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on collection day.
3. Point the lid arrows toward the lane or street.
4. Bring empty carts and anything uncollected back by 8 p.m. on collection day.

## Good to know

- The City's Houses & Duplexes page says to set out carts "not the night before"; the bylaw allows from 8 p.m. the night before. Both agree on 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you want to be safe, set out in the morning.
- A single family property has one garbage cart; a two family property has one per primary dwelling unit; row housing one per dwelling. The Engineer may approve an extra cart free for a medical condition. A single or two family property with 3 or more dwelling units may have one extra if the first is the largest size (charged).
- Garbage carts come in 120, 180, 240 or 360 L; green bins in 180, 240 or 360 L. To change size, email the Receptacle Change Request Form (utility account number required); exchange fee $52. The City's Food Scraps & Yard Waste page says $50; the bylaw figure is used here. Replacement prices include tax ($82 to $110 before tax).
- The 2% late charge does not apply to the annual cart charge; unpaid amounts at December 31 are added to property taxes.
- Large items need an appointment: houses and duplexes can book up to 3 items per Large Item Pickup (604-294-7972).
- Bylaw notices (amount if paid within 15 days in brackets): failure to comply $300 ($250); waste accumulating around a cart $250 ($200). Court fine up to $10,000.
- The sources read set no limit on extra bags, tags or weight; ask Solid Waste and Recycling.

## Official forms and pages

- [Receptacle Change Request Form (PDF)](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2022-04/Receptacle%20Request%20Form.pdf)
- [Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 12875 (consolidated PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/garbage-collection.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/garbage-collection.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/garbage-collection.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/garbage-collection.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/garbage-collection.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Houses & Duplexes, City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/houses-and-duplexes) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw 2010 (No. 12875), consolidated (PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12875CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule C9(A) (PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Receptacle Change Request Form (PDF)](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2022-04/Receptacle%20Request%20Form.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 12657, Schedule A (PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Food Scraps & Yard Waste, City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/recycling-and-garbage/food-scraps-and-yard-waste) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Burnaby. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/garbage-collection/_