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

# Prince Rupert garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** Prince Rupert collects garbage and recycling together on your assigned day, by colour-coded area. Check your area's schedule: the City says weekly, but the bylaw sets collection at every three weeks or a shorter period in the annual schedule. Put the City bin out by 7 a.m. on collection day.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Prince Rupert, https://www.princerupert.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026: $605.59 minimum annual solid waste charge per dwelling unit; $233.20 more per year for a 240 L garbage bin; $26.50 to exchange bins. Bin offence fee $56.  
**Where:**
- Online: Garbage and Recycling page (collection map and calendar), https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling
- Online: Request a Bin, https://www.princerupert.ca/request_a_bin
- Phone: Operations (unsure of your area), 250-624-5482 (The 2026 schedule PDF gives 250-624-6795 extension 1 instead.)

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage and recycling are collected together on your assigned collection day. City pages describe weekly garbage collection, but Bylaw 3550 s. 5.3 sets the service period at every three weeks or a shorter period in the published annual schedule, so check your area's schedule. No organics collection is listed. (Sources differ: The City's Request a Bin page speaks of 'weekly garbage collection'. Bylaw 3550 sets every three weeks or such shorter period as the schedule says; the 2026 schedule PDF is an image with no readable text, so the actual frequency was not confirmed. Followed the bylaw.)
  - Source: [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024, s. 5.3(a)](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)
  - Official wording: "every three weeks or such shorter period determined by the collection schedule published on the City’s website" … "residential solid waste shall be collected once during each service period"
  - Source: [Curbside Recycling, FAQ](https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling/curbside-recycling)
  - Official wording: "The collection service collects both your garbage and recycling waste on your assigned collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Find your colour-coded area on the City's collection map and read its schedule on the 2026 calendar, or use the Recycle Coach app for schedules and reminders. Unsure of your area: Operations, 250-624-5482 (City page) or 250-624-6795 ext. 1 (schedule PDF).
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Garbage and Recycling page](https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling)
  - Official wording: "To determine the date for garbage collection in your colour-coded area, please click on the calendar" … "please call the Operations department at 250-624-5482"
  - Source: [2026 Printable Collection Schedule and Guidance, Collection information PDF](https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-05/Ad%20for%20Phone%20Book%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "call (250) 624-6795 extension 1"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Each home gets a 120 L garbage bin and a 240 L recycling bin. Owners (not tenants) can request a 240 L garbage bin on the City's Request a Bin form: $26.50 exchange fee (2026), one size change per calendar year. Replacement bin 2026: $56 (120 L), $78 (240 L); free if damaged by regular use.
  - Source: [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024, s. 5.8, 5.9, 5.11, 6.12](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)
  - Official wording: "one 120 litre refuse bin and one 240 litre recycling bin per dwelling unit each service period" … "An owner may only receive a change to the size of their refuse bin in accordance with sections" … "Exchange fee to change 120 litre to 240" … "$25.00 $26.50 $28.09 $29.78" … "Replacement of 120 litre bin $50.00 $53.00 $56.00 $59.00 $63.00" … "Replacement of 240 litre bin $70.00 $74.00 $78.00 $83.00 $88.00"
  - Source: [Request a Bin, Request a Bin page](https://www.princerupert.ca/request_a_bin)
  - Official wording: "only property owners can make this request"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day (not the night before) and take bins in by 11:59 p.m. the same day. Set out no more than 1.2 m (4 ft) back from the curb, clearly visible, not beside a neighbour's bin and not blocking vehicles or pedestrians.
  - Source: [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024, s. 6.6(e), 6.8](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)
  - Official wording: "ensure that all solid waste is placed at curbside for collection by 7:00 am" … "All bins shall be removed from the curb by 11:59pm on collection day" … "the bin is only placed out for collection on a scheduled day for collection"
  - Source: [2026 Printable Collection Schedule and Guidance, Collection Day](https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-05/Ad%20for%20Phone%20Book%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Do not leave bins out overnight before your"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** No bag limit and no bag tags: all garbage must fit inside the City bin, with the lid closed, and no bin plus contents may weigh over 45 kg (100 lb). Garbage goes in fastened durable plastic bags. Extra garbage waits for the next collection or goes to the landfill for a tipping fee. Overfilling a bin or using a non-approved bin: $56 fee (2026). (Sources differ: The 2026 collection PDF says new fines 'starting at $53' apply to bins not used or overfilled; Bylaw 3550 Schedule F gives $56 for 2026 ($53 was the 2025 amount). Followed the bylaw. Bylaw also requires waste loaded at least 5 cm below the rim. Schedule F lists 'Failure to use approved bin' at $90 for 2027 (likely a typo).)
  - Source: [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024, s. 6.6(b), (j); Sched. F](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)
  - Official wording: "no bin, together with its contents, weighs more than 45kg" … "Overfilling of bin beyond lid height causing materials to spill $50.00 $53.00 $56.00 $59.00 $63.00" … "2024 2025 2026 2027 2028"
  - Source: [2026 Printable Collection Schedule and Guidance, Bins, Not Bags](https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-05/Ad%20for%20Phone%20Book%202026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "There is no longer a bag limit for collection" … "means no more bag tags!"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 2026: $605.59 per dwelling unit minimum annual charge for solid waste collection, plus $233.20 more per year for a 240 L garbage bin (rates include a 2% asset reserve fee). (Sources differ: The 2026 collection PDF says a larger bin costs '$25 to exchange, and $111 in additional annual solid waste fees'; Bylaw 3550 Schedule F and the Request a Bin page give $26.50 and $233.20 for 2026. Followed the bylaw. Charged on the annual utility bill.)
  - Source: [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024, Sched. F](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)
  - Official wording: "charge for collection of solid waste $538.97 $571.31 $605.59 $641.93 $680.45" … "charge for 240L refuse collection $104.04 $220.00 $233.20 $247.19 $262.02" … "2024 2025 2026 2027 2028"
  - Source: [Request a Bin, Request a Bin page](https://www.princerupert.ca/request_a_bin)
  - Official wording: "$233.20 surcharge on annual solid waste collection utility fee (fee valid through 2026)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024 (cites itself as "Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 3550, 2024")
  - Source: [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024, s. 1.1](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 3550, 2024”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Garbage and recycling are collected together on your assigned collection day. Find your colour-coded area on the City's collection map, then read your area's schedule on the 2026 calendar, or use the Recycle Coach app for schedules and reminders. No organics collection is listed.

How often garbage is collected is not clear. The City's pages describe weekly collection, but [Solid Waste Bylaw 3550](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669) (s. 5.3) sets the service period at every three weeks or a shorter period in the published annual schedule. The 2026 schedule PDF is an image with no readable text, so check your area's schedule or ask Operations.

## Good to know

- Set out waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, not the night before, and take bins in by 11:59 p.m. the same day. Place them no more than 1.2 m (4 ft) back from the curb, clearly visible, not beside a neighbour's bin and not blocking vehicles or pedestrians.
- There is no bag limit and no bag tags. All garbage must fit inside the City bin with the lid closed, in fastened durable plastic bags. A bin and its contents may not weigh over 45 kg (100 lb). Extra garbage waits for the next collection or goes to the landfill for a tipping fee.
- Each home gets a 120 L garbage bin and a 240 L recycling bin. Owners (not tenants) can request a 240 L garbage bin on the City's Request a Bin form: $26.50 exchange fee (2026), one size change per calendar year.
- 2026 charges: $605.59 per dwelling unit minimum annual solid waste charge, plus $233.20 more per year for a 240 L garbage bin. It is charged on the annual utility bill.
- Replacement bin (2026): $56 for 120 L, $78 for 240 L; free if damaged by regular use.
- Overfilling a bin or using a non-approved bin: $56 fee (2026).
- The 2026 schedule PDF gives different amounts ($25 to exchange, $111 more per year, fines starting at $53). The bylaw schedule is followed here, so confirm with the City.
- Not sure of your area? Call Operations at 250-624-5482 (City page) or 250-624-6795 extension 1 (schedule PDF).

## Official forms and pages

- [2026 Printable Collection Schedule and Guidance (PDF)](https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-05/Ad%20for%20Phone%20Book%202026.pdf)
- [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw 3550, 2024 (PDF)](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/garbage-collection.md)
- [Kitimat](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/garbage-collection.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/garbage-collection.md)
- [Port Clements](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-clements/garbage-collection.md)
- [Daajing Giids](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/daajing-giids/garbage-collection.md)
- [Stewart](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Collection and Disposal of Solid Wastes Bylaw No. 3550, 2024 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/1669) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Garbage and Recycling, City of Prince Rupert](https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026 Printable Collection Schedule and Guidance (PDF), City of Prince Rupert](https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-05/Ad%20for%20Phone%20Book%202026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Request a Bin, City of Prince Rupert](https://www.princerupert.ca/request_a_bin) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Curbside Recycling, City of Prince Rupert](https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling/curbside-recycling) (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 Prince Rupert. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/garbage-collection/_