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

# Port Alberni garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** The City of Port Alberni collects organics every week and garbage and recycling each every two weeks, on alternating weeks, on your regular collection day. Put carts out by 7 a.m.; crews start at 7 a.m. The lid must close; overflow and bags outside the cart are not collected.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Alberni, https://www.portalberni.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual curbside fee by garbage cart size, from Sept. 1, 2026: 80 L $200; 120 L $210; 240 L $470, billed three times a year on the City utility bill. Extra pickup $10 (80 or 120 L) or $20 (240 L), with 48 hours' notice. Excess waste ticket $150.  
**How long:** Garbage and recycling alternate every two weeks; organics are weekly.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Public Works (Operations Clerk, missed collection, carts), 250-720-2840 (4150 6th Avenue, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 4M9)
- Online: Sort'nGo app and desktop version (schedule and alerts), https://www.acrd.bc.ca/stayintheknow

## Key facts

- **How often:** Organics (green cart) weekly; garbage (black) and recycling (blue) each every two weeks, on alternating weeks, on the same day. Schedules can change for statutory holidays, operations or extreme weather. Curbside service is for single family homes and is mandatory.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), ss. 6.2-6.5](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Organics – kitchen and yard waste – weekly;" … "Recyclable materials – acceptable materials – every two weeks;" … "Participation" … "due to statutory holidays, operational issues and extreme weather conditions"
  - Source: [Organics, Recycling and Garbage Collection](https://www.portalberni.ca/garbage-recycling)
  - Official wording: "Organics are now picked up weekly, with garbage and recycling alternating on bi-weekly (every two weeks) frequencies"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Your pickup day is the same day each collection; look it up and sign up for alerts in the ACRD Sort'nGo app (a desktop version is also offered). Missed collection or cart questions: Public Works, 250-720-2840.
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions (curbside collection), FAQ](https://www.portalberni.ca/frequently-asked-questions)
  - Official wording: "City residents can keep track of collection schedules, sign up for alerts and check which cart"
  - Source: [Organics, Recycling and Garbage Collection](https://www.portalberni.ca/garbage-recycling)
  - Official wording: "For those unable to download the Sort'nGo app to a mobile device, we have a desktop version available:" … "Telephone"
  - Source: [Organics, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Get the app](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/organics)
  - Official wording: "Keep track of collection schedules"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Garbage (black): 80 L, 120 L or 240 L (360 L is commercial only). Organics (green): 120 L or 240 L. Recycling (blue): 240 L. Owner may ask in writing to change the garbage cart size ($50 per request). Lost or stolen carts are replaced at the owner's cost.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule E; s. 6.6](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "80L Black 30 Kilograms (66 lbs)" … "240L Blue 90 Kilograms (198 lbs)" … "360L Black 135 Kilograms (298 lbs) Available upon request Commercial Only" … "An owner may apply to change the size of the standard container by submitting a written"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule M](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Request to change garbage cart size by owner." … "$50.00 per request"
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions (curbside collection), FAQ](https://www.portalberni.ca/frequently-asked-questions)
  - Official wording: "Cart size options are available for garbage cart only."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts at the curb (or road shoulder) on collection day, not before 7 a.m. and ready for emptying between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; unlatch animal-resistant locks by 7 a.m.; remove carts from the street by 11:59 p.m. Leave at least 1 m from other objects.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), s. 11.1(h)-(k)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "collectors between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the specified day of" … "No standard container can be put out for collection prior to 7:00 a.m. on" … "the street or lane from which collection service is provided by 11:59 p.m. on day of" … "Carts must be placed at least one metre away from all other objects"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Lid must close; overflow and bags outside the cart are not collected. Maximum weights: 80 L garbage 30 kg; 120 L 45 kg; 240 L 90 kg. An extra pickup of a cart needs 48 hours' notice and costs $10 (80 or 120 L garbage) or $20 (240 L). Excess waste ticket: $150.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), ss. 10.1-10.2, 13.1; Schedule E](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall not place out a volume of waste product of more than can be contained in the closed lid" … "such extra pickup can be arranged by provision of 48 hours notice to the City" … "120L Black 45 Kilograms (99 lbs)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule M, 2](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Requested Additional Curbside Pick-Up" … "Request by Owner"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule A-24](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5128%2C%205128-1_Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20No.%205128%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Excess waste $150.00 $112.50 $187.50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual curbside fee by garbage cart size, effective Sept. 1, 2026: 80 L $200; 120 L $210; 240 L $470. Billed three times a year on the City utility bill.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule M, 1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Eligible Residence – Curbside Collection Annual Fee" … "80 L 1.0 $200.00" … "120 L 1.5 $210.00" … "240 L 3.0 $470.00" … "Waste collection fees are included 3 times per year on your City of Port Alberni utility bill."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (rules); fees are set in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule M.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated), s. 1.1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120,"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated), Schedule M](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Curbside service is for single family homes and is mandatory under the [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf>). Organics (green cart) are collected weekly; garbage (black) and recycling (blue) are each collected every two weeks, on alternating weeks, on the same day. Schedules can change for statutory holidays, operations or extreme weather. Look up your pickup day, and sign up for alerts, in the ACRD Sort'nGo app (a desktop version is also offered).

## Steps

1. Put your carts at the curb (or road shoulder) on collection day, not before 7 a.m., and ready for emptying between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
2. Unlatch animal-resistant locks by 7 a.m. and leave at least 1 m between the cart and other objects. The City FAQ also asks for 3 m of clear space overhead.
3. Take the carts off the street by 11:59 p.m.

## Good to know

- Garbage carts are 80 L, 120 L or 240 L (360 L is commercial only); organics carts are 120 L or 240 L; recycling carts are 240 L. Changing the garbage cart size by written request costs $50 per request. Lost or stolen carts are replaced at the owner's cost.
- The lid must close. Overflow and bags outside the cart are not collected. Maximum weights: 80 L garbage 30 kg; 120 L 45 kg; 240 L 90 kg.
- Fees are in the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf>), Schedule M. An extra pickup of a cart needs 48 hours' notice.
- An excess waste ticket is $150 under the [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5128%2C%205128-1_Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20No.%205128%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf>).
- Missed collection or cart questions: Public Works, 250-720-2840.

## Official forms and pages

- [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
- [Organics, Recycling and Garbage Collection, City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/garbage-recycling)
- [Frequently Asked Questions (curbside collection), City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/frequently-asked-questions)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/garbage-collection.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/garbage-collection.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/garbage-collection.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/garbage-collection.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/garbage-collection.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Organics, Recycling and Garbage Collection, City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/garbage-recycling) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Frequently Asked Questions (curbside collection), City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/frequently-asked-questions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 5120, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/pages/5120_5120-1_Solid_Waste_Collection_and_Disposal_Bylaw_No_5120_2025_Consolidated_tf.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128, 2025 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5128%2C%205128-1_Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20No.%205128%2C%202025_Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Organics, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District](https://www.acrd.bc.ca/organics) (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 Port Alberni. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/garbage-collection/_