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

# Merritt garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** Merritt collects residential garbage and recycling together once a week, on Tuesday (Zone 3), Wednesday (Zone 4), Thursday (Zone 1) or Friday (Zone 2). Put the cart out by 7:00 a.m. with the lid closed and 1 metre from any nearby object.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Merritt, https://www.merritt.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026 yearly utility charge (Fees Bylaw 2386, Schedule C): $362.78 for a single-family home, $526.04 with the larger bin, $725.55 with a secondary suite (two bins). Extra-bag tags: $32.21 for 10. Amounts exclude taxes. 10% discount if paid in full by the due date.  
**How long:** Collection is weekly. Billing is twice a year, at the end of April and the end of October.  
**Where:**
- Phone: City Hall and Public Works, 250-378-4224 (Public Works is ext. 500. City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.)
- Online: Report a Problem (damaged, lost or stolen cart), https://www.merritt.ca/residents/report-a-problem/

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage and recycling are picked up together, once a week, on the same day every week. Residential days by zone: Tuesday (Zone 3), Wednesday (Zone 4), Thursday (Zone 1), Friday (Zone 2). Holidays can shift the day.
  - Source: [Solid Waste & Recycling, Curbside Waste & Recycling Collection](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "Your waste and recycling will be picked up the same day every week" … "Tuesday (Zone 3)" … "Wednesday (Zone 4)" … "Thursday (Zone 1)" … "Friday (Zone 2)"
  - Source: [City of Merritt Solid Waste Bylaw 2183, 2015, s. 6.3](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Curbside collection service shall consist of one (1) collection, garbage and recycle cans, per week, fifty-two (52) weeks per year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Find your zone on the Zone Map (PDF) on the City's Solid Waste & Recycling page, then use the weekday for that zone. The page also lists the yearly holiday collection schedule.
  - Source: [Solid Waste & Recycling, Zone Map](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "Zone Map Download PDF" … "The following schedule highlights holiday changes to the regular Residential waste and recycling collection schedule."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Standard cart is 120 L; a 240 L cart is available for an extra annual fee (contact City Hall). Carts stay with the property. To replace a damaged, lost or stolen cart, call or use the Report a Problem page; carts stolen or damaged through neglect or misuse are replaced at the owner's expense.
  - Source: [Solid Waste & Recycling, Garbage Collection FAQs](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "We can exchange your regular 120L (30-gallon) bin for a larger 240L (60-gallon) bin. An additional annual fee is required for the larger bin." … "the bin must stay with the property" … "Any bins that are stolen or damaged through neglect or misuse will be replaced at the property owners’ expense." … "Request a new bin by calling the contact on this page, or by using the Report a Problem page on our website."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386, 2024, consolidated December 2025, Schedule C](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Replacement Receptacles Actual Cost + 15%"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts at the curb with wheels against the gutter or curb (or edge of the roadway), lids closed, by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, 1 metre from any nearby object. Bylaw: not before 5:00 a.m.; remove by 7:00 p.m. the same day. Lane pick-up is no longer available.
  - Source: [Solid Waste & Recycling, Garbage Collection FAQs](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "The garbage bins should be placed on the curbside with the wheels against the gutter, the curb, or at the edge of the roadway by 7:00 a.m. on collection day." … "Lane pickup will no longer be available."
  - Source: [City of Merritt Solid Waste Bylaw 2183, 2015, s. 6.4-6.7](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No solid waste receptacles shall be located at the occupier's property line, either adjacent to the sidewalk or road shoulder, or as designated by the City, before 5:00 a.m. of the day of scheduled collection." … "All containers must be removed from the lane or roadway by 7:00 p.m. on collection day and stored on private property in a safe manner."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Only waste inside the cart with the lid completely closed is collected. A cart must not hold more than 22.7 kg. Extra garbage can go in approved garbage bags (max 22.7 kg each) with a purchased garbage tag, placed beside the cart; 10 tags cost $32.21 (2026).
  - Source: [Solid Waste & Recycling, Garbage Collection FAQs](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "Only waste that is inside the container with the lid completely closed will be collected."
  - Source: [City of Merritt Solid Waste Bylaw 2183, 2015, s. 3, 5.4, 6.2](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must not exceed 22.7 kg when placed out for collection" … "Additional curbside collection in excess of the container or containers may be set out in an approved garbage bag with a garbage tag affixed to each additional piece."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386, 2024, consolidated December 2025, Schedule C](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Additional receptacles (10 tickets) $32.21 $33.82 $35.51"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual utility charge (2026): $362.78 for a single-family home; $526.04 with the larger bin; $725.55 with a secondary suite (two bins). 10% discount if paid in full by the due date. Billed twice a year (end of April and end of October).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386, 2024, consolidated December 2025, Schedule C](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Single family residential $362.78 $380.92 $399.96" … "Single family residential with larger bin $526.04 $552.34 $579.95" … "Single family residential with secondary suite (two $725.55 $761.78 $799.86" … "subject to a discount of 10%, provided rates for the current billing are paid in full on or before the close of business on the due date"
  - Source: [City of Merritt Solid Waste Bylaw 2183, 2015, s. 9.2](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Residential dwelling fees shall be billed semi-annually with the first bill issued at the end of April and the second invoice at the end of October."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Merritt Solid Waste Collection, Disposal and Control Bylaw No. 2183, 2015; fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024 (Schedule C).
  - Source: [City of Merritt Solid Waste Bylaw 2183, 2015, s. 1](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as "CITY OF MERRITT SOLID WASTE COLLECTION, DISPOSAL AND CONTROL BYLAW NO. 2183, 2015"."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386, 2024, consolidated December 2025, Schedule C](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE C TO BYLAW 2386 SOLID WASTE FEES AND CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Merritt collects residential garbage and recycling on the same day every week. Pick-up can be at any time that day, and holidays can shift your day. Check the holiday schedule on the City's page. A holiday on a Monday does not affect residential pick-up. No curbside organics (food scraps) collection is described on the City's pages.

## Steps

1. Find your zone on the Zone Map (PDF) on the City's [Solid Waste & Recycling page](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/), then use that zone's day: Tuesday (Zone 3), Wednesday (Zone 4), Thursday (Zone 1), Friday (Zone 2).
2. Put your cart at the curb with the wheels against the gutter, curb or edge of the road, lid closed, by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. The City page says to keep it 1 metre from any nearby object. Lane pick-up is no longer available.
3. Only waste inside the cart with the lid completely closed is collected. Extra waste goes in an approved garbage bag with a purchased garbage tag, set beside the cart.
4. The [Solid Waste Bylaw 2183](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf) asks you to set the cart out no earlier than 5:00 a.m., keep three feet clear on both sides and behind it, and bring it in by 7:00 p.m. the same day.

## Good to know

- A standard cart is 120 L. A 240 L cart is available for an extra annual fee; contact City Hall. Regular garbage cans are not collected.
- A cart must not hold more than 22.7 kg, and each approved bag is also limited to 22.7 kg. Hazardous and offensive waste is not collected. Kitchen waste, pet waste and grass clippings must be in approved bags first.
- Two extra bags are allowed the week after Victoria Day and Thanksgiving, and after a missed week.
- The cart stays with the property when you move. To replace a damaged, lost or stolen cart, call or use the Report a Problem page. A cart stolen or damaged through neglect or misuse is replaced at the owner's expense.
- A cart or curbside rule violation is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 within 14 days, $125 after 28 days).

## Official forms and pages

- [Solid Waste and Recycling page (zone map and holiday schedule)](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/)
- [Solid Waste Collection, Disposal and Control Bylaw 2183 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/garbage-collection.md)
- [Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/garbage-collection.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/garbage-collection.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/garbage-collection.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/garbage-collection.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Solid Waste & Recycling, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/solid-waste-recycling/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City of Merritt Solid Waste Bylaw 2183, 2015 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Merritt-Solid-Waste-Bylaw-2183-2015-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386, 2024, consolidated December 2025 (PDF), Schedule C](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2424, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BNE-Bylaw-2424-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/) (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 Merritt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/garbage-collection/_