Duncan garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

Duncan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Curbside Collection · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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).
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.2026 Curbside Collection Calendar, Collection routes; Curbside Collection, Garbage · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording shown below with each colour corresponding to a different day. Yellow route Tuesday Blue route Wednesday Red route Thursday (see the Curbside Collection Map to find out your collection route) Public Works Yard: 250-746-5321 or email: publicworks@duncan.ca
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.Curbside Collection, Garbage; Recycling; Organics; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule J, A.3 and A.4; Additional/Replacement Cart Request Form, Instructions; Replacement cart requested · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. 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 Please email finance@duncan.ca with your completed application. Replacement Cart and Lid due to damages, delivered to property ($75 one-time fee)
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.Curbside Collection, Residents’ Responsibilities; 2026 Curbside Collection Calendar, Cart placement on collection day · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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; Do not place carts than 10pm on your collection day.
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.Curbside Collection, Residents’ Responsibilities; Garbage; 2026 Curbside Collection Calendar, Important information; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule J, A.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. Cart was overweight (more than 75 lbs) iii. Additional Can/per pickup $ 5.00
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule J (Utilities), A.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
Bylaw	Curbside Collection Bylaw No. 3256, 2025; fees are set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020City Bylaws folder, City Bylaws folder (listing); Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A (heading); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Curbside Collection Bylaw No. 3256, 2025 CURBSIDE COLLECTION BYLAW NO. 3256, 2025 Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020

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

Put carts at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day, not the night before.
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.
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. 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

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich

Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality →

Sources

Curbside Collection, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
2026 Curbside Collection Calendar (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
Additional/Replacement Cart Request Form (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
City Bylaws folder, City of Duncan CivicWeb (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)

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