---
title: "Esquimalt garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected in Esquimalt, and what are the rules for bins, limits, and extra bags?"
place: Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/esquimalt
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Esquimalt
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Esquimalt garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** In Esquimalt, the Township collects garbage and kitchen scraps every second week, with the north and south sides of the municipality on alternate weeks. Check your 2026 collection calendar or call 250-414-7108. Put bins out by 7 a.m.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Esquimalt, https://www.esquimalt.ca)  
**Cost:** No separate garbage fee; the cost is in property taxes. Extra garbage bin $95; extra garbage stickers four for $8 (the bylaw says $2 a bag). Replacement bin $95 if damaged by misuse or abuse; free otherwise.  
**How long:** Collection is every second week, on your area's collection day.  
**Where:**
- Online: Collection calendars and map (Garbage page), https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage
- Phone: Engineering and Public Works (bins, collection), 250-414-7108
- Phone: Blue Box missed collection (CRD, GFL Environmental), 236-470-0186
- In person: Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd, Esquimalt, BC V9A 3P1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage and kitchen scraps (organics) are collected by the Township every second week from residential properties, north and south sides of the municipality on alternate weeks. Recycling (blue box) is collected by the Capital Regional District, with its own schedule.
  - Source: [Garbage, Garbage page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage)
  - Official wording: "Garbage is picked up every second week in Esquimalt." … "Garbage is collected from the north and south sides of the municipality on alternate weeks."
  - Source: [Garbage & Recycling](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling)
  - Official wording: "Garbage and organic waste are collected every two weeks from residential properties in Esquimalt." … "The Capital Regional District manages residential pick-up of blue box recycling in Esquimalt."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Use the 2026 north-side or south-side collection calendar (PDFs), the interactive garbage collection map, or phone 250-414-7108. Esquimalt Alert sends reminders by text, app or phone.
  - Source: [Garbage, Garbage page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage)
  - Official wording: "2026 north side route garbage collection schedule" … "You can also view the garbage collection map or phone 250-414-7108."
  - Source: [Garbage & Recycling](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling)
  - Official wording: "Subscribe to our Esquimalt Alert service to receive reminders by text, app or phone message."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** The Township provides 121-litre garbage bins and organics bins. Call 250-414-7108 to request new or replacement bins; they are replaced at no cost if lost, stolen, unsafe to handle, no longer waterproof or damaged beyond repair, but $95 if the damage is from misuse or abuse.
  - Source: [Garbage bin information](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage/regulation)
  - Official wording: "Garbage bins are provided by the Township and are 121 litres in size." … "Residents can call 250-414-7108 to request new and/or replacement garbage and organic bins." … "at a rate of $95."
  - Source: [Garbage & Recycling](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling)
  - Official wording: "Contact GFL Environmental to request a new or replacement CRD blue box or blue bag and to report missed recycling collection at 236-470-0186."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Bins must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, with bungee cords or clips removed from the lid, as close to the curb as possible with the front facing the road and 1 m clear on all sides. Bring bins in to a secure place on the property by the end of the collection day.
  - Source: [Garbage, Garbage page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage)
  - Official wording: "Please have your garbage and organic waste at curbside with bungee cords removed from the lid by 7 a.m. on your collection day."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw 2014, No. 2815, s. 3.9](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/solid_waste_collection_and_disposal_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "place the regulation containers in front of the" … "premises by 7:00 am, as close to the curb as possible." … "remove all containers from the curbside to a secure location on their property by" … "the end of the collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Each bin: not overfilled (lid must close; 2 inches from lid) and not over 55 lbs (24 kg). One garbage and one kitchen scraps bin per two-week period per home. Extra garbage needs an extra Township regulation bin ($95 each at Municipal Hall) with an extra garbage sticker (four for $8). The bylaw lets extra bags (each up to 25 kg) go out with a sticker, $2 a bag. Banned from garbage: yard waste, food scraps, recyclables, hazardous waste, construction waste. (Sources differ: The Township web page requires an extra bin plus sticker; the 2014 bylaw (s. 4.1) provides for extra bags with a sticker. Followed the bylaw for the bag rule and gave both.)
  - Source: [Garbage bin information, Extra garbage; Violation stickers; Number of containers](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage/regulation)
  - Official wording: "Overweight bin (55 lbs/24 kg)" … "Single family residences, business and suites are permitted one Township garbage and one Township kitchen scraps bin per two week period." … "Bins can be purchased at the municipal hall (1229 Esquimalt Road) for $95 each." … "Extra garbage stickers can be purchased at the Municipal Hall at a cost of four for $8."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw 2014, No. 2815, s. 4.1, Schedule A](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/solid_waste_collection_and_disposal_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Each extra bag of garbage shall not exceed 25 kg." … "a charge of $2.00 per additional bag is payable."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** No separate garbage fee: the Township includes utility costs such as sewer and refuse collection in property taxes rather than billing separately.
  - Source: [Property tax, Property tax page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/taxes-grants/property-tax)
  - Official wording: "Included in the taxes you pay are utility costs like sewer and refuse collection, rather than sending separate invoices to you."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2014, No. 2815
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw 2014, No. 2815, s. 1.1](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/solid_waste_collection_and_disposal_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL BYLAW, 2014," … "NO. 2815."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Township collects garbage and kitchen scraps (organics) from residential properties every second week, with the north and south sides of the municipality on alternate weeks. Recycling (blue box) is collected by the Capital Regional District on its own schedule. Statutory holiday pickups move to the next business day, and holiday changes are posted on the Township's [Garbage & Recycling page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling).

## Steps

1. Find your collection day with the 2026 north-side or south-side collection calendar (PDF), the interactive garbage collection map, or phone 250-414-7108. Esquimalt Alert sends reminders by text, app or phone.
2. Put your bin at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, as close to the curb as possible, with the front facing the road and 1 m clear on all sides. Take bungee cords or clips off the lid.
3. Bring bins in to a secure place on your property by the end of the collection day.

## Bins and limits

- The Township provides 121-litre garbage bins and organics bins. Call 250-414-7108 to request new or replacement bins. They are replaced at no cost if lost, stolen, unsafe to handle, no longer waterproof or damaged beyond repair, but $95 if the damage is from misuse or abuse.
- Each bin must not be overfilled (the lid must close; 2 inches from the lid) and must not weigh over 55 lbs (24 kg).
- One garbage and one kitchen scraps bin per two-week period per home.
- Banned from garbage: yard waste, food scraps, recyclables, hazardous waste, construction waste.

## Extra garbage

The [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 2815](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/solid_waste_collection_and_disposal_bylaw.pdf) lets extra bags (each up to 25 kg) go out with a sticker, $2 a bag. The Township's [garbage bin page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage/regulation) says instead that extra garbage needs an extra Township regulation bin ($95 each at Municipal Hall) with an extra garbage sticker (four for $8). The page differs from the bylaw, so confirm with Public Works before setting out extra bags.

## Good to know

- There is no separate garbage fee. The Township includes utility costs such as sewer and refuse collection in property taxes.
- Most container offences are a $200 bylaw notice (Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule G).
- For missed Blue Box collection, call the CRD's collector, GFL Environmental, at 236-470-0186.

## Official forms and pages

- [Garbage & Recycling, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling)
- [Garbage, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage)
- [Garbage bin information, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage/regulation)
- [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw 2014, No. 2815 (PDF)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/solid_waste_collection_and_disposal_bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Esquimalt yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/yard-waste.md)
- [Esquimalt backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/backyard-fire.md)
- [Esquimalt bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/garbage-collection.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/garbage-collection.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/garbage-collection.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/garbage-collection.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/garbage-collection.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Garbage & Recycling, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Garbage, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Garbage bin information, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/garbage-recycling/garbage/regulation) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw 2014, No. 2815 (PDF)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/solid_waste_collection_and_disposal_bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Property tax, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/taxes-grants/property-tax) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2014, No. 2839 (consolidated September 2026) (PDF)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Township of Esquimalt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/garbage-collection/_