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

# Castlegar 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 Castlegar collects garbage every second week, on the alternate week to recycling, in a 120 L dark-grey-lid cart. Carts go out on collection day only, not before 4 a.m. (the City asks for 7 a.m.). Find your day with Recycle Coach or call 250-365-5979.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Castlegar, https://www.castlegar.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026 annual rates: garbage $160.07, organics $156.47, recycling $4.65, billed quarterly ($40.02, $39.12 and $1.17). A second garbage cart: $215 cart fee, $100 administrative fee and $160.07 a year.  
**How long:** Garbage every second week on a fixed weekday; collection runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  
**Where:**
- Online: Collection day lookup (Recycle Coach), https://castlegar.ca/curbside
- Phone: Civic Works, 250-365-5979
- Email: Civic Works, civicworks@castlegar.ca

## Key facts

- **How often:** Organics weekly. Garbage every second week. Recycling every second week, on the alternate week to garbage.
  - Source: [Curbside Waste Management Program, City page: Curbside Waste Management Program](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/)
  - Official wording: "Organics Cart: Weekly Collection" … "Garbage Cart: Bi-Weekly Collection" … "Recycling is collected the alternate week to garbage."
  - Source: [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025, Bylaw 1408, s. 8](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a) Organics on a weekly collection frequency." … "b) Garbage on a bi-weekly collection frequency."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Look up your day with the Recycle Coach tool on the City's curbside page or its free app, or the collection schedule and map at castlegar.ca/curbside. Questions and missed collections: 250-365-5979 or civicworks@castlegar.ca.
  - Source: [Curbside Waste Management Program, City page: Curbside Waste Management Program](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/)
  - Official wording: "Download the Recycle Coach app for collection day reminders and service alerts" … "For curbside collection information, missed collections or cart replacements call 250-365-5979 or email civicworks@castlegar.ca."
  - Source: [Curbside Waste FAQs, City page: Curbside Waste FAQs](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/curbside-waste-faqs/)
  - Official wording: "A collection schedule is available on the City’s website at castlegar.ca/curbside."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Each home gets a 120 L garbage cart (dark grey lid), a 240 L organics cart (green lid) and two recycling containers. A second 121 L garbage cart can be applied for. For replacement or repair call 250-365-5979; fees may be charged.
  - Source: [Curbside Waste Management Program, City page: Curbside Waste Management Program](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/)
  - Official wording: "Collected in City-Supplied 240 Litre Collection Cart, Green Lid" … "Collected in City-Supplied 120 Litre Collection Cart, Dark Grey Lid"
  - Source: [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025, Bylaw 1408, ss. 5-6](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a) One 242 L (64 gallon) bear resistant organics collection cart." … "b) One 121 L (32 gallon) bear resistant garbage collection cart." … "c) Two recycling containers." … "Property owners of an eligible property may apply to the City for a second 121 L garbage" … "collection cart."
  - Source: [Curbside Waste FAQs, City page: Curbside Waste FAQs](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/curbside-waste-faqs/)
  - Official wording: "The City is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged carts." … "contact the City at 250-365-5979 to discuss repairs or replacement. Fees may be charged."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** On collection day only, not before 4:00 a.m. (the City asks for carts to be out by 7:00 a.m.; collection runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Unclip wildlife clips; face carts to the street at the curb or lane; keep 1 m between carts, 2 m from vehicles and 3 m clear above.
  - Source: [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025, Bylaw 1408, ss. 21, 23, 24](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "unclipped and be placed in a location free from obstructions at least one meter" … "horizontally on all sides from another collection cart or recycling container, at least two meters" … "Collection carts shall not be unlocked or placed on any City lane, street or boulevard prior" … "to 4:00 a.m. on the day of collection."
  - Source: [Curbside Waste Management Program, City page: Curbside Waste Management Program](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/)
  - Official wording: "place your carts or bins at the curb between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m." … "Do not put carts or bins out the night before."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Garbage is limited to the garbage cart (a second 121 L cart can be applied for). No liquids in carts; wet garbage, ashes and sawdust must be bagged or wrapped. Hot ashes and Christmas trees are not collected. No weight limit or extra-bag tags are stated.
  - Source: [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025, Bylaw 1408, ss. 6, 27, 28, 33](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No liquids shall be put in or be allowed to accumulate in any collection cart." … "All wet garbage, floor sweepings, ashes and sawdust or other granular materials must be in a" … "bag or wrapped before being place within the garbage collection cart." … "Additional fees for the extra cart, a one-time administration fee, and an additional annual collection fee will be charged"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 2026 annual rates: garbage $160.07, organics $156.47, recycling $4.65, billed quarterly ($40.02, $39.12 and $1.17). Second garbage cart service: $160.07 a year.
  - Source: [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025, Bylaw 1408, Schedule A](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Garbage Collection $ 160.07" … "Organics Collection $ 156.47" … "Recycling Collection $ 4.65" … "Additional Garbage Collection Service $ 160.07"
  - Source: [Utility Rates, City page: Utility Rates](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/utility-rates/)
  - Official wording: "## Curbside Pickup | Type | Base Rate | Garbage | $40.02 Quarterly | Organics | $39.12 Quarterly" … "| Base Rate | Garbage | $40.02 Quarterly | Organics | $39.12 Quarterly | Recycling | $1.17 Quarterly" … "| $40.02 Quarterly | Organics | $39.12 Quarterly | Recycling | $1.17 Quarterly ### Related Bylaws - Bylaw 1408 - Residential Curbside Collection & Disposal Bylaw (Consolidated)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 1408
  - Source: [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025, Bylaw 1408, s. 1](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Bylaw may be cited as the "Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw No.1408"."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf), garbage is collected every second week, recycling on the alternate week, and organics weekly. Each home gets a 120 L garbage cart (dark grey lid), a 240 L organics cart (green lid) and two recycling containers. The service is mandatory and billed in full even when you are away. Only Christmas and New Year's holiday schedules change.

## Steps

1. Look up your collection day with Recycle Coach on the [City's curbside page](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/), in its free app, or on the collection schedule and map at castlegar.ca/curbside.
2. Put the cart out on collection day only, not before 4 a.m. Unclip the wildlife clips and face the cart to the street at the curb or lane.
3. Keep 1 m between carts, 2 m from vehicles and 3 m clear above.
4. For a missed collection or a cart repair, call 250-365-5979 or email civicworks@castlegar.ca.

## Good to know

- The bylaw bars set-out before 4 a.m. and requires carts to be unlocked and accessible from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the City page asks for carts out by 7 a.m. Confirm which applies to you. When to bring carts back in is not stated.
- Garbage is limited to the cart. A second 121 L cart can be applied for. No weight limit or extra-bag tags are stated.
- No liquids. Wet garbage, ashes and sawdust must be bagged or wrapped. Hot ashes and Christmas trees are not collected.
- A late quarterly balance carries a 5% penalty on the unpaid instalment. The first cart damaged beyond repair by wildlife is replaced free if it was properly secured.
- A ticket for curbside collection offences is $200, or $100 if paid within 30 days (Bylaw 1179).

## What you'll need

- Your street address, to look up your collection day

## Official forms and pages

- [Curbside Waste FAQs](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/curbside-waste-faqs/)
- [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408 (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/garbage-collection.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/garbage-collection.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/garbage-collection.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/garbage-collection.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/garbage-collection.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Curbside Waste Management Program, City of Castlegar](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Curbside Waste FAQs, City of Castlegar](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/curbside-waste-management-program/curbside-waste-faqs/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Curbside Collection and Disposal Bylaw 1408, consolidated to December 2025 (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1408-Residential-Curbside-Collection-and-Disposal-Bylaw-1.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Utility Rates, City of Castlegar](https://www.castlegar.ca/services/utilities-infrastructure/utility-rates/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf) (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 Castlegar. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/garbage-collection/_