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

# Duncan garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Duncan, garbage and recycling are collected on alternating weeks and organics every week, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday depending on your route. Put carts out by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. Extra garbage needs a $5 sticker from City Hall on one can of up to 22 kg.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Duncan, https://duncan.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual curbside utility charge for garbage, recycling and organics: $213.61 for the first residential unit and $186.22 for each additional unit. Extra can sticker $5. Extra cart per year: garbage $72.05, organics $99.75, recycling $41.82. Cart request fee $20. Replacement cart and lid $75; lid $25.  
**How long:** Garbage and recycling are each collected every other week, on alternating weeks; organics every week.  
**Where:**
- In person: City Hall (garbage stickers), 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3
- Phone: Public Works (route questions), 250-746-5321
- Email: Public Works, publicworks@duncan.ca
- Email: Finance (cart requests), finance@duncan.ca

## Key facts

- **How often:** Organics (green cart) every week. Garbage and recycling are collected on alternating weeks, each every other week. Glass is collected once a month, on the first collection day of each month from March to December.
  - Source: [Curbside Collection](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/)
  - Official wording: "The City collects garbage and recycling alternately every other week, with organics collected every week, and glass collected once per month." … "Glass is collected by the City’s contractor, Waste Connections, on the first collection day of each month from March to December (no collection in January or February)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Collection runs Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday depending on your colour-coded route (yellow Tuesday, blue Wednesday, red Thursday). Check the Curbside Collection Map and the yearly calendar; if unsure, call Public Works at 250-746-5321 or email publicworks@duncan.ca with your street address.
  - Source: [2026 Curbside Collection Calendar, Collection routes](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FINAL_CurbsideCalendar_Brochure_Duncan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shown below with each colour corresponding to a different day." … "Yellow route Tuesday" … "Blue route Wednesday" … "Red route Thursday"
  - Source: [Curbside Collection, Garbage](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/)
  - Official wording: "(see the Curbside Collection Map to find out your collection route)" … "Public Works Yard: 250-746-5321 or email: publicworks@duncan.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Black garbage cart 100 L, blue recycling 240 L, green organics 240 L. To add or replace a cart, email the Additional/Replacement Cart Request form to finance@duncan.ca with the $20 application fee. Extra cart per year: garbage $72.05, organics $99.75, recycling $41.82. Replacement cart and lid $75, lid $25.
  - Source: [Curbside Collection, Garbage; Recycling; Organics](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/)
  - Official wording: "Black Garbage Cart (100L)" … "Blue Recycling Cart (240L)" … "Green Organics Cart (240L)" … "Homes with registered secondary suites are provied with two sets of carts, in accordance with the bylaw."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule J, A.3 and A.4](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "i. Garbage Cart/per annum* $72.05" … "ii. Organics Cart/per annum* $99.75" … "iii. Recycling Cart/per annum* $41.82" … "iv. Application Fee $20.00" … "Replacement Cart and Lid, delivered to property (for $75.00" … "Replacement Lid, including installation (for garbage, $25.00"
  - Source: [Additional/Replacement Cart Request Form, Instructions; Replacement cart requested](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Additional-Cart-Request-Form-Jul-Dec-2026-fillable-compress.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Please email finance@duncan.ca with your completed application." … "Replacement Cart and Lid due to damages, delivered to property ($75 one-time fee)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day (not the night before), wheels against the curb with the lid arrows facing the street, lids fully closed, clear of cars, poles, snow and branches. Take empty carts in by 10 p.m. the same day. Carts must not block sidewalks or bike lanes.
  - Source: [Curbside Collection, Residents’ Responsibilities](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/)
  - Official wording: "be placed at the curb by 7:30 am;" … "be positioned with the wheels against the curb and the arrows on the lid facing the street; and" … "be accessible for collection and free from obstructions, including parked vehicles, poles, snow, or overhanging branches;"
  - Source: [2026 Curbside Collection Calendar, Cart placement on collection day](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FINAL_CurbsideCalendar_Brochure_Duncan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Do not place carts" … "than 10pm on your collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Materials must fit with the lid fully closed; overfilled carts are not collected, and carts over 75 lb are a common reason for missed collection. Extra garbage must go in a can with a $5 sticker from City Hall (one can up to 22 kg / 50 lb per household per pickup day); loose bags are not collected.
  - Source: [Curbside Collection, Residents’ Responsibilities; Garbage](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/)
  - Official wording: "materials must fit inside the cart with the lid fully closed. Overfilled carts will not be collected." … "you may purchase garbage stickers for $5.00 each at City Hall (200 Craig Street)." … "Each garbage sticker can be used for ONE can up to 50 lbs/22kg in weight." … "One extra can is permitted per household per pick up day."
  - Source: [2026 Curbside Collection Calendar, Important information](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FINAL_CurbsideCalendar_Brochure_Duncan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cart was overweight (more than 75 lbs)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule J, A.1](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "iii. Additional Can/per pickup $ 5.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual curbside utility charge for garbage, recycling and organics: $213.61 for the first residential unit and $186.22 for each additional unit. Extra can $5 per pickup.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule J (Utilities), A.1](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "1. Base Residential Unit (including garbage, recyclable materials, and co-mingled organic waste)" … "i. First Unit/per annum $ 213.61" … "ii. Each Additional Unit/per annum $ 186.22"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Curbside Collection Bylaw No. 3256, 2025; fees are set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020
  - Source: [City Bylaws folder, City Bylaws folder (listing)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37448)
  - Official wording: "Curbside Collection Bylaw No. 3256, 2025"
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A (heading)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)
  - Official wording: "CURBSIDE COLLECTION BYLAW NO. 3256, 2025"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Title](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Duncan collects curbside garbage, recycling and organics. Organics (green cart) go every week; garbage and recycling alternate, each every other week. Glass is collected once a month, on the first collection day of each month from March to December. Your day depends on your colour-coded route: yellow Tuesday, blue Wednesday, red Thursday. Check the Curbside Collection Map and the yearly calendar, or call Public Works with your street address. Collection days may shift after statutory holidays.

## Steps

1. Put carts at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day, not the night before.
2. Place them with the wheels against the curb and the lid arrows facing the street, lids fully closed, clear of cars, poles, snow and branches. Space carts 1 metre (3 feet) apart and leave 3 metres (9 feet) clear overhead; carts without the spacing are not collected.
3. Take empty carts in by 10 p.m. the same day. Carts must not block sidewalks or bike lanes.

## Good to know

- Carts: black garbage 100 L, blue recycling 240 L, green organics 240 L. They belong to the City and stay with the property.
- To add or replace a cart, email the Additional/Replacement Cart Request form to finance@duncan.ca with the $20 application fee.
- Materials must fit with the lid fully closed. Overfilled carts are not collected, and carts over 75 lb are a common reason for missed collection.
- Extra garbage must go in a can with a $5 sticker from City Hall. One can of up to 22 kg (50 lb) is allowed per household per pickup day. Loose bags are not collected.
- Fees are set in the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386). The curbside rules are in Curbside Collection Bylaw No. 3256, whose official copy is image-only and could not be read; ask the City if you need its exact wording.

## Official forms and pages

- [Curbside Collection page](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/)
- [2026 Curbside Collection Calendar (PDF)](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FINAL_CurbsideCalendar_Brochure_Duncan.pdf)
- [Additional/Replacement Cart Request Form (PDF)](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Additional-Cart-Request-Form-Jul-Dec-2026-fillable-compress.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/garbage-collection.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/garbage-collection.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/garbage-collection.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/garbage-collection.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/garbage-collection.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Curbside Collection, City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/residents/curbside/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026 Curbside Collection Calendar (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FINAL_CurbsideCalendar_Brochure_Duncan.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Additional/Replacement Cart Request Form (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Additional-Cart-Request-Form-Jul-Dec-2026-fillable-compress.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City Bylaws folder, City of Duncan CivicWeb](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37448) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059) (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 Duncan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/garbage-collection/_