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

# Richmond 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 Richmond collects garbage every second week from single-family homes and some townhomes. Put the cart out no earlier than 8 p.m. the day before and by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. Find your day on the City's zone map and calendars. Each extra container needs a $2 tag.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Richmond, https://www.richmond.ca)  
**Cost:** Billed yearly on the utility bill by cart size. 2026 single-family rates after the 10% early-payment discount: 80 L $382.65; 120 L $412.40; 240 L $442.55; 360 L $569.40. Garbage tag $2. Cart exchange $25.  
**How long:** Garbage is collected every second week; recycling and the Green Cart are weekly.  
**Where:**
- Online: Collection schedule and zone map, https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/schedule.htm
- Phone: Garbage and Recycling, including missed collection, 604-276-4010
- Email: Garbage and Recycling, garbageandrecycling@richmond.ca

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage: every second week (biweekly) for single-family homes and some townhomes. Recycling (blue box/cart, mixed paper, glass): weekly. Green Cart (food scraps and yard trimmings): weekly. Some multi-family complexes have central collection arranged with the strata or property manager.
  - Source: [Garbage Services, More Information for Curbside Collection](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection.htm)
  - Official wording: "Curbside garbage collection for residents in single-family homes and some townhomes are picked up biweekly." … "Centralized garbage collection is provided to some multi-family complexes."
  - Source: [Utility Rates, Recycling and Solid Waste Management](https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/finance/utility-fees/utilityrates.htm)
  - Official wording: "The utility bill includes the cost of biweekly garbage collection and weekly recycling collection."
  - Source: [Green Cart, Steps to Recycle Food Scraps](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/foodyardwaste/greencart.htm)
  - Official wording: "by 7:30 a.m. each week on your designated collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Use the City's collection zone map and yearly collection calendars (Monday to Thursday, Zone A or B), sign up for free reminders by email, text or phone by entering your address, or use the free Richmond Recycling app. Missed collection: 604-276-4010 or garbageandrecycling@richmond.ca.
  - Source: [Collection Schedule, Map & Schedule](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/schedule.htm)
  - Official wording: "Use the map below to find out specific garbage and recycling collection zones." … "2026 Collection Calendar for Monday Zone A" … "All 2026 Calendars include January 2027" … "Sign-Up for Free Reminders for Recycling & Garbage Collection" … "To report a missed collection, call 604-276-4010 or email Garbage and Recycling."
  - Source: [Utility Rates, Richmond Collection Schedule](https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/finance/utility-fees/utilityrates.htm)
  - Official wording: "The Richmond Recycling app is free from the Apple and Android app stores"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** The City supplies garbage carts in 80 L, 120 L, 240 L or 360 L sizes (the bylaw also lists 46.5 L). If you do not choose, a single-family or duplex home gets 240 L and a townhouse unit gets 120 L. One cart per household; a second cart needs City approval and extra fees. Exchange: $25; call 604-276-4010 or email garbageandrecycling@richmond.ca (not available at the Recycling Depot). Green Cart exchange is also $25.
  - Source: [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803 (consolidation), s. 1.3.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a garbage cart of either 46.5L, 80L, 120L, 240L or 360L size." … "will receive a garbage cart of 240L size if a single-family dwelling or a duplex" … "dwelling, or of 120L size if a unit in a townhouse development." … "An occupier may" … "request a second garbage cart by applying to the City and paying the applicable"
  - Source: [Garbage Services, Garbage Cart Exchange](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection.htm)
  - Official wording: "$25 cart exchange fee" … "Garbage carts are not available for exchange at the Recycle Depot"
  - Source: [Green Cart, Multiple Green Cart Sizes Available](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/foodyardwaste/greencart.htm)
  - Official wording: "The cost to exchange a Green Cart is $25."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts out no earlier than 8 p.m. the day before and no later than 7:30 a.m. on collection day, at the front street or back lane location the City specifies (beside, not on, the travelled part of the road, and not blocking the sidewalk), and bring them in by 9 p.m. the same day. Collectors may not collect before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
  - Source: [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803 (consolidation), s. 8.1.1(b), 9.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be placed for collection no earlier than 8:00 p.m. of the day before" … "collection day and no later than 7:30 a.m. on collection day, and" … "they must be returned to their storage location no later than 9:00 p.m." … "adjacent to, but not on the travelled portion of" … "prior to 7:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. on Monday to Saturday inclusive,"
  - Source: [Garbage Services, Biweekly Garbage Pick-Up](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection.htm)
  - Official wording: "Place garbage at the curb by 7:30am on your collection day, every other week." … "Please ensure your garbage cart does not impede access to the sidewalk."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** One garbage cart every two weeks. Each extra container needs a $2 garbage tag attached where collectors can see it. Extra containers may not weigh over 34 kg (75 lb) when full or hold over 100 L. Yard and garden trimmings, food waste, recyclables, tires and branches over 15 cm are not collected as garbage. Large items: a $24 pick-up fee under the bylaw (the utility page says 6 items per year per household), or a $5 voucher worth up to $25 at the Vancouver Landfill.
  - Source: [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803 (consolidation), s. 1.3.1, 1.3.3, 1.4.1, 1.6.1; Schedule A](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf)
  - Official wording: "may place for collection one garbage cart every two weeks." … "purchases an excess garbage container tag from the City upon payment" … "attaches one such tag, in a location easily visible to collectors, to each" … "do not exceed a gross weight of 34 kilograms (75 lbs.) when full;" … "have a capacity of not more than 100 litres (3.5 cubic feet) and a" … "Fee for each excess garbage container tag $ 2.00" … "Large Item Pick Up fee $ 24.00"
  - Source: [Garbage Tags and Vouchers](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection/extra.htm)
  - Official wording: "Cost: $2.00 per garbage tag" … "Cost: $5.00 per garbage disposal voucher"
  - Source: [Utility Rates, Recycling and Solid Waste Management](https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/finance/utility-fees/utilityrates.htm)
  - Official wording: "(6 items per year, per household)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Charged on the annual utility bill by garbage cart size. 2026 net rates for a single-family home (after the 10% early-payment discount): 80 L $382.65; 120 L $412.40; 240 L $442.55; 360 L $569.40 (townhouses $283.05 to $469.80). These cover garbage, recycling and environmental programs.
  - Source: [Utility Rates, Garbage Cart Program](https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/finance/utility-fees/utilityrates.htm)
  - Official wording: "The net rates (after discount) for garbage cart services are:" … "| 360 Litres | $569.40 | $469.80" … "| 240 Litres | $442.55 | $342.95" … "| 120 Litres | $412.40 | $312.80" … "| 80 Litres | $382.65 | $283.05" … "Property owners qualify for a 10% discount if payment is received on or before the billing due date."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw No. 6803.
  - Source: [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803 (consolidation), title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING REGULATION" … "BYLAW NO. 6803"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf), garbage in the City of Richmond is collected every second week for single-family homes and some townhomes. Recycling and the Green Cart (food scraps and yard trimmings) are collected weekly. Some multi-family complexes have central collection arranged with the strata or property manager. A statutory holiday moves collection one day later for that week.

The City supplies garbage carts in 80 L, 120 L, 240 L or 360 L sizes (the bylaw also lists 46.5 L). If you do not choose, a single-family or duplex home gets 240 L and a townhouse unit gets 120 L. It is one cart per household; a second cart needs City approval and extra fees.

## Steps

1. Find your day (Monday to Thursday, Zone A or B) on the City's zone map and yearly calendars. You can also sign up for free reminders by email, text or phone, or use the free Richmond Recycling app.
2. Put carts out no earlier than 8 p.m. the day before and no later than 7:30 a.m. on collection day, at the front street or back lane location the City specifies. Place them beside, not on, the travelled part of the road, and not blocking the sidewalk. Bring them in by 9 p.m. the same day.
3. For an extra container, attach a $2 garbage tag where collectors can see it. Extra containers may not weigh over 34 kg when full or hold over 100 L.
4. If collection is missed, call 604-276-4010 or email garbageandrecycling@richmond.ca.

## Good to know

- Yard and garden trimmings, food waste, recyclables, tires and branches over 15 cm are not collected as garbage.
- Large items: the bylaw sets a $24 pick-up fee (the utility page says 6 items per year per household), or you can use a $5 voucher worth up to $25 at the Vancouver Landfill. Vouchers are limited to one per household.
- Cart exchange is $25 (call 604-276-4010 or email; not available at the Recycling Depot). A Green Cart exchange is also $25.
- Carts may be placed out only on the property they came from. Collectors may not collect before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
- The yearly charge covers garbage, recycling and environmental programs. Rates change each year, so check the City's utility rates page.
- Municipal tickets: $1,000 for depositing garbage, and $100 for misplacing or tampering with carts.

## Official forms and pages

- [Collection Schedule and zone map](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/schedule.htm)
- [Garbage Services](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection.htm)
- [Garbage Tags and Vouchers](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection/extra.htm)
- [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/garbage-collection.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/garbage-collection.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/garbage-collection.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/garbage-collection.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/garbage-collection.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Garbage Services, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Collection Schedule, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/schedule.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Garbage Tags and Vouchers, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection/extra.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Green Cart, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/recycling-garbage/foodyardwaste/greencart.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Utility Rates, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/finance/utility-fees/utilityrates.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation Bylaw 6803 (consolidation) (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_6803_Consolidation_Including_ABL_10713_11242578158.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321, Schedule B12 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7321_Consolidated_with_ABL_10667_06092577123.pdf) (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 Richmond. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/garbage-collection/_