---
title: "Mackenzie garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected in Mackenzie, and what are the rules for carts, limits, and extra bags?"
place: Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/mackenzie
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Mackenzie
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Mackenzie garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** In Mackenzie, the District collects garbage weekly or, by request, bi-weekly, from one District cart per property. Set the cart out by 8 a.m. on collection day. The yearly fee is $215.92 for weekly or $182.91 for bi-weekly collection, billed on the property tax notice.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Mackenzie, https://districtofmackenzie.ca)  
**Cost:** Single-family, two-family and secondary-suite units: $215.92 a year weekly, $182.91 a year bi-weekly, on the property tax notice. A 10% penalty applies to amounts unpaid after the tax due date.  
**How long:** Collection is weekly or bi-weekly; the schedules are posted on the District's Garbage Collection page.  
**Where:**
- Online: Garbage Collection page (weekly and bi-weekly calendars), https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/
- Phone: Public Works (missed pick-up), 250-997-3761

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage is collected weekly or, by request, bi-weekly. The District pages describe no curbside recycling or organics collection; recycling is dropped off at the Mackenzie Transfer Station and other local locations, which the District arranges with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
  - Source: [Waste & Recycling](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "Everything you need to know about trash! Find schedules and details on residential and commercial pick-up." … "with recycling drop off now available on site." … "This is in addition to current recycling drop off locations within the community."
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, Bi-Weekly Garbage Pick-Up](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "Residents may choose to have their garbage picked-up on a bi-weekly basis."
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, s. 51(g), Schedule A](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "For one collection per week" … "For one collection every two weeks"
  - Source: [Recycling](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/recycling/)
  - Official wording: "The District works closely with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George to provide various recycling opportunities within the community."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Finding your day:** Weekly and bi-weekly collection schedules/calendars are posted on the District's Garbage Collection page (Weekly Pick-up and Bi-Weekly Pick-Up 2026 Calendar). For a missed pick-up call Public Works at 250-997-3761.
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, Collection Schedule](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "Weekly Pick-up Bi-Weekly Pick-Up - 2026 Calendar" … "Contact us directly at 250-997-3761"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Carts:** Each property has one District-supplied garbage cart (240 L / 64 gallon). Carts stay with the property. The District replaces carts damaged through normal use. Residents with an approved secondary suite permit may ask for an extra cart by December 1 of the previous year.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, s. 16, 17, 52](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Collection Carts are assigned to a specific Property and shall remain with that Property at" … "The municipality shall replace Collection Carts that are damaged through normal use or" … "Property Owners who have an approved permit for a Secondary Suite in their building"
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, FAQ](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "Only bagged garbage in the one (1) District supplied garbage cart will be collected."
  - Source: [New automated garbage pick-up, Tell me more about these new bins](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/new-automated-garbage-pick-up/)
  - Official wording: "The 240 L/64 gallon bin is equivalent in size to that of two (2) standard garbage bins."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Setting carts out:** Place the cart against the curb (or sidewalk) between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on collection day (not before 5:00 a.m.); the District page says by 8 a.m. Remove it from the collection spot and store it on the property within 24 hours.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, s. 18, 20, 22](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "between 5:00 am and 8:00 am on the day scheduled for" … "must not place Collection Carts out for Garbage Collection prior to 5:00 am on the scheduled collection day." … "Property within twenty-four (24) hours of Garbage Collection."
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, FAQ](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "The garbage cart is to be placed up against the curb with lid opening facing the street and wheels facing your residence by 8 am on collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Only bagged garbage in the one District cart is collected; extra bags at the curb are not collected. The lid must close and latch, or the cart will not be emptied. No additional bins are available for purchase or rent at this time.
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, FAQ](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "Extra bags at curbside will not be collected." … "No additional bins are available for purchase/rent at this time." … "Overloaded bins will not be emptied."
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, s. 12](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "To the extent that the lid does not close and latch;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** Single-family, two-family and secondary-suite units: $215.92 per year for weekly collection or $182.91 per year for bi-weekly collection, billed on the annual property tax notice; a 10% penalty applies to amounts unpaid after the tax due date. (Sources differ: The Garbage Collection page still shows the 2024 rates ($199.75 weekly, $169.21 bi-weekly), which later amending bylaws (Nos. 1523 and 1533, adopted April 27, 2026) replaced; the value follows the bylaw. Change of service (weekly/bi-weekly) is allowed once a year by December 1 for January 1.)
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, Schedule A (Bylaw 1533, 2026)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "For one collection per week $215.92 per year" … "For one collection every two weeks $182.91 per year"
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, s. 51(a), (f)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A 10% penalty will be applied to any outstanding amount after the tax due date"
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, Bi-Weekly Garbage Pick-Up](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "The residential waste service charges for 2024 will be: - Weekly Pick-up: $199.75 - Bi-Weekly Pick-up: $169.21" … "- Weekly Pick-up: $199.75 - Bi-Weekly Pick-up: $169.21 Service charges are billed on your Annual Property Tax Notice. A 10% late penalty will be applied to any outstanding amount after the tax due date on the annual property tax billing notice for single-family and two-family dwellings. Other consumers whose payment is received 42 days after the billing date will receive a 10% penalty."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, 2022 (amended by Nos. 1497, 1514, 1523, 1533).
  - Source: [Garbage Collection, Current Garbage Bylaws](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
  - Official wording: "Garbage Rates and Regulations - Bylaw No. 1487, 2022 - Amended by 1497, 1514, 1523, 1533"
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, s. 61](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, 2022”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Mackenzie collects garbage under its Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487, as amended by [Bylaw No. 1533](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf). Collection is weekly or, by request, bi-weekly. The District pages describe no curbside recycling or organics collection. Recycling is dropped off at the Mackenzie Transfer Station and other local locations, arranged with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

## Steps

1. Find your weekly or bi-weekly calendar on the District's [Garbage Collection page](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/). For a missed pick-up, call Public Works at 250-997-3761.
2. Put the cart against the curb (or sidewalk) between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on collection day, not before 5:00 a.m.
3. Bring it back and store it on your property within 24 hours.

## Good to know

- Each property has one District cart (240 L, 64 gallon). It stays with the property, and the District replaces carts damaged through normal use.
- Only bagged garbage in the cart is collected. Extra bags at the curb are not collected, and the lid must close and latch. No additional bins are available to buy or rent at this time.
- Not allowed in carts: recyclables, yard trimmings, hazardous material, trade waste and construction waste.
- Keep 1 m clear on each side of the cart.
- A property with an approved secondary suite permit may ask for an extra cart by December 1 of the previous year. You can change between weekly and bi-weekly once a year, by December 1 for January 1.
- The District's page still shows older rates ($199.75 weekly, $169.21 bi-weekly). The bylaw rates above are the later ones, so confirm with the District.

## Official forms and pages

- [Garbage Collection page](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/)
- [Bylaw No. 1533, amending the Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw (PDF)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Mackenzie yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/yard-waste.md)
- [Mackenzie bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Mackenzie secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/secondary-suite.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/garbage-collection.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/garbage-collection.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/garbage-collection.md)
- [Fort St James](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/garbage-collection.md)
- [Vanderhoof](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/garbage-collection.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Garbage Collection, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw No. 1533, 2026, amending Garbage Rates and Regulations Bylaw No. 1487 (PDF)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-No.-1533.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Waste & Recycling, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Recycling, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/recycling/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [New automated garbage pick-up, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/new-automated-garbage-pick-up/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 District of Mackenzie. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/garbage-collection/_