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

# Kamloops garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** The City of Kamloops collects household garbage and recycling every other week on an alternating basis, and organics every week. Your day depends on which of the five collection zones you live in. Carts go at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, with the lid fully closed.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kamloops, https://www.kamloops.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026 annual garbage collection fee (every other week): 120 L $100, 180 L $152, 245 L $212, 360 L $340, plus a cart lease of $12 ($16 for 360 L). Every home also has a recycling cart ($24 for 245 L, $36 for 360 L) and an organics cart ($24); there is no opt-out. Surplus Garbage Tag $5 per bag. Bear-resistant carts cost extra.  
**How long:** Garbage and recycling every other week; organics weekly. Set out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.  
**Where:**
- Online: Zone collection schedules and Waste Wise Kamloops app, https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule (The page also has a Zone Boundaries Map and a sign-up for collection reminders.)
- Phone: Civic Operations Centre (cart size changes, damaged or missing carts), 250-828-3461 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage and recycling are collected every other week on an alternating basis; organics are collected every week. The City has five collection zones.
  - Source: [Residential Collection Schedule, page](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule)
  - Official wording: "Garbage and recycling are collected every other week on an alternating basis." … "Organics is collected weekly."
  - Source: [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67, s. 3.4(i)(i)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634)
  - Official wording: "one collection every two weeks for Garbage;" … "one collection every week for Organics;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** The Residential Collection Schedule page has a calendar for each of the five zones (Zone 1 to Zone 5), a Zone Boundaries Map, a sign-up for collection reminders and the Waste Wise Kamloops app.
  - Source: [Residential Collection Schedule, page](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule)
  - Official wording: "There are five designated solid waste collection zones in Kamloops." … "Zone Boundaries Map" … "Sign Up for Collection Reminders" … "Waste Wise App"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Garbage carts come in 120 L, 180 L, 245 L and 360 L; recycling carts in 245 L and 360 L; organics in 120 L. Call the Civic Operations Centre at 250-828-3461 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Fri) to change size: downsizing garbage is free, upsizing is $50 (waived for new owners in their first three months), and a recycling upsize is free. Damaged or missing carts: 250-828-3461.
  - Source: [Collection Rates, page](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/utilities-services/utilities-billing/collection-rates)
  - Official wording: "To change the size of your cart, please contact the Civic Operations Centre at 250-828-3461 between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday." … "There is NO fee to downsize your garbage cart, but there is a $50 charge to upsize" … "There is no fee to upsize a recycling cart."
  - Source: [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67, s. 1.4](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634)
  - Official wording: "“SOLID WASTE CART” means a 120 L, 180 L, 245 L or 360 L wheeled container"
  - Source: [When/How to Place Carts, page](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule/whenhow-place-carts)
  - Official wording: "For damaged and missing carts, please call 250-828-3461."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts at the curb (next to the lane or road edge, at least 1 m from other objects and 3 m below overhead obstacles) by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, and remove them by 7:00 p.m. From April 1 to November 30 do not set them out before 4:00 a.m. Lids must close fully.
  - Source: [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67, s. 3.4(j)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634)
  - Official wording: "place Solid Waste Carts out for collection by 7:00 am on collection day;" … "ensure that Solid Waste Carts are set out no earlier than 4:00 am on collection day between April 1 and November 30;" … "remove all Solid Waste Carts from the collection point by 7:00 pm on collection day;"
  - Source: [When/How to Place Carts, page](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule/whenhow-place-carts)
  - Official wording: "carts are to be placed at the curb by 7:00 am on designated collection days (and no earlier than 4:00 am between April 1 and November 30) and removed from the curb by 7:00 pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Cart weight limits: 120 L 57 kg, 180 L 76 kg, 245 L 100 kg, 360 L 154 kg. Extra garbage is collected only in an approved garbage bag with a Surplus Garbage Tag ($5 per tag) on each bag; extra recycling goes loose in a cardboard box or reusable tote. Oversized items over 2 feet in any dimension may not go in carts.
  - Source: [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67, s. 3.4(c), (d); s. 3.3(a)(viii)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634)
  - Official wording: "120 L carts – 57 kg;" … "360 L carts – 154 kg." … "excess Garbage is placed in an Approved Garbage Bag with a Surplus Garbage Tag affixed to each bag" … "oversized items of any kind that exceed two (2) feet in any dimension;"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule R](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204231/)
  - Official wording: "Surplus Garbage Tag $5.00 per tag"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 2026 annual garbage cart collection fee (every other week): 120 L $100, 180 L $152, 245 L $212, 360 L $340, plus a cart lease of $12 ($16 for 360 L). Each home must also have a recycling cart ($24 for 245 L, $36 for 360 L) and an organics cart ($24); there is no opt-out. Bear-resistant carts cost extra (see note). (Sources differ: Standard cart rates match between the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14 Schedule R and the City Collection Rates page. For bear-resistant carts the bylaw gives a garbage lease of $27 (120 L) or $30 (245 L) and an organics lease of $20; the web page shows the usual $12 lease plus a $20 bear-resistant lease fee (annual total $132 / $244 / $44). The bylaw is followed.)
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule R](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204231/)
  - Official wording: "120 L Solid Waste Cart (Garbage) biweekly collection fee" … "$100.00" … "245 L Solid Waste Cart (Recyclables) biweekly collection fee" … "120 L Solid Waste Cart (Organics) collection fee"
  - Source: [Collection Rates, 2026 Rates](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/utilities-services/utilities-billing/collection-rates)
  - Official wording: "There is no option to opt out of the recycling or organics programs." … "Bear-Resistant Solid Waste Carts"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67, 2021 (fees: Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule R)
  - Source: [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67, s. 1.1](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule R](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204231/)
  - Official wording: "Solid Waste, Recyclables and Organics Fees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Kamloops has five collection zones (Zone 1 to Zone 5). The Residential Collection Schedule page has a calendar for each zone. Garbage and recycling may be picked up by separate trucks on the same day, so one cart can be emptied hours after the other. Rules are in the [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634).

## Steps

1. Find your zone on the Zone Boundaries Map and open that zone's calendar, or use the Waste Wise Kamloops app.
2. Put the cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. From April 1 to November 30, do not set it out before 4:00 a.m.
3. Leave at least 1 m clear of other objects and 3 m below overhead obstacles. Lids must close fully.
4. Bring the cart in by 7:00 p.m.

## Good to know

- Cart weight limits: 120 L 57 kg, 180 L 76 kg, 245 L 100 kg, 360 L 154 kg. Items over 2 feet in any dimension may not go in carts.
- Extra garbage is collected only in an approved garbage bag with a $5 Surplus Garbage Tag on each bag. Extra recycling goes loose in a cardboard box or reusable tote.
- Cart sizes: garbage 120, 180, 245 or 360 L; recycling 245 or 360 L; organics 120 L. Call 250-828-3461 to change. Downsizing garbage is free; upsizing is $50 (waived for new owners in their first three months); a recycling upsize is free. A cart lost or damaged through neglect is $100 to replace.
- Bear-resistant carts can be requested only by registered homeowners.
- If carts were set out late, call 250-828-3461 before 11:00 a.m. and the City will try to return for a same-day pickup.
- Winter: place carts on the road side of snow piles. A medical set-out/set-back service is available if a disability stops you moving carts.
- Breaking cart rules is a $100 ticket.

## What you'll need

- Your zone number (see the Zone Boundaries Map)

## Official forms and pages

- [Residential Collection Schedule and zone calendars](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule)
- [Collection Rates, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/utilities-services/utilities-billing/collection-rates)
- [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Chase](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chase/garbage-collection.md)
- [Barriere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/garbage-collection.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/garbage-collection.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/garbage-collection.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/garbage-collection.md)
- [Merritt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Residential Collection Schedule, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule) (read 2026-11-05)
- [When/How to Place Carts, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule/whenhow-place-carts) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Collection Rates, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/utilities-services/utilities-billing/collection-rates) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Carts Not Collected, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/city-services/recycling-garbage-organics/residential-collection-schedule/carts-not-collected) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw No. 40-67 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/14634) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule R (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/204231/) (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 Kamloops. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/garbage-collection/_