---
title: "Smithers garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected in Smithers, and what are the rules for carts and limits?"
place: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/smithers
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Smithers
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Smithers garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** In Smithers, the Town collects garbage biweekly, alternating with biweekly recycling. Use the Collection Schedule calendar and route map on the Town website to find your day. Put your green cart out before 8:00 a.m. on collection day. A cart over 45 kg (100 lbs) will not be emptied.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Smithers, https://www.smithers.ca)  
**Cost:** Single-family dwelling: $184 a year in 2026 ($190 in 2027, $196 in 2028), billed on the property tax notice. Secondary suite: $156 in 2026.  
**How long:** Collection is biweekly.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Town Hall (bylaw enforcement), 250-847-1600 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **How often:** Garbage is collected biweekly, alternating with recycling, which is also biweekly. No curbside organics collection is described; the bylaw's basic service is garbage and recycling only. No collection on statutory holidays; the missed pickup is collected as shown on the annual calendar.
  - Source: [Garbage, Collection Schedule](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/garbage)
  - Official wording: "Garbage is collected biweekly alternating with recycle collection."
  - Source: [Recycling, Collection Schedule](https://www.smithers.ca/town-services/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/recycling)
  - Official wording: "Recycling is collected biweekly alternating with garbage."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Frequency of Collection](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "There will be no collection of Solid Waste on a statutory holiday as observed by" … "The basic service offered by the Municipality for Residential Dwellings is the bi-" … "The basic service offered by the Municipality for Residential Curbside Recycling"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Use the 2026 Collection Schedule calendar and the Curbside Collection Route Map on the Town's Collection Schedules page. Residents are responsible for finding their street's collection day.
  - Source: [Collection Schedule, Collection Schedules](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/collection-schedule)
  - Official wording: "Please view the collection map and schedule for details." … "2026 Collection Schedule Curbside Collection Route Map"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Dwelling Type Cart Location](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "The occupant or owner of each Dwelling shall be responsible for ascertaining the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Residential garbage uses a green dwelling cart (up to 0.24 m³) bought from the Town at manufacturer's cost plus shipping and taxes. A blue recycling cart is given once to eligible owners; replacements are bought through the Town.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Definitions](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "means a rigid plastic container having a capacity of no more than 0.24m3 (0.32yd3)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule K, Purchase of Carts](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/)
  - Official wording: "Green Garbage Carts must be purchased outright from the Town." … "Blue Recycling Carts will be given to eligible property owners one time only." … "Replacement Green or Blue Recycling carts are to be paid by the property owner and purchased through the Town"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put carts at the curb before 8:00 a.m. on collection day, lid or handle facing the street, away from trees and vehicles, not blocking the sidewalk. The bylaw allows setting out no more than 12 hours before collection and requires removal within 12 hours after emptying.
  - Source: [Garbage, Collection Schedule](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/garbage)
  - Official wording: "Place your garbage cart at the curb prior to 8:00 a.m. on your day of collection." … "Please do not block the sidewalk with your cart."
  - Source: [Recycling, Collection Schedule](https://www.smithers.ca/town-services/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/recycling)
  - Official wording: "Recycling carts are required to be at the curb prior to 8:00am on your day of collection or the night before."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Containers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "no more than" … "12 hours prior to collection and removed within 12 hours of being emptied"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** One dwelling cart per home is collected biweekly. A cart and contents over 45 kg (100 lbs) will not be emptied. Carts with restricted materials (e.g. grass clippings, dirt, liquids, construction waste) may not be collected.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Container Sizes and Quantity](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "The Municipality shall not collect more than one (1) Dwelling Type Cart, per premise" … "No Dwelling type Cart with a combined weight of Cart and Garbage in excess of 45"
  - Source: [Garbage, Materials Not Accepted](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/garbage)
  - Official wording: "Your garbage may not be collected if any of the following items are found in your cart:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Single-family dwelling: $184 a year in 2026 ($190 in 2027, $196 in 2028), billed on the property tax notice. Secondary suite: $156 in 2026 (85%).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule K, Solid Waste Collection Fees](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/)
  - Official wording: "Single Family Dwelling" … "$184 $190 $196" … "All Annual solid waste collection rates specified shall be billed on the annual property tax notice."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Bylaw No. 1859 - Solid Waste Collection (consolidated to January 23, 2020); fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule K
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Citation](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No.1859 – Solid Waste" … "Consolidated to January 23, 2020"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), General Regulations](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/)
  - Official wording: "Every owner or occupier of a Premise shall pay for the collection of Garbage as set"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Town of Smithers collects residential garbage and recycling under the [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23](<https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/>). Garbage is collected biweekly, alternating with recycling, which is also biweekly. No curbside organics collection is described. There is no collection on statutory holidays; the missed pickup is collected as shown on the annual calendar.

## Steps

1. Find your day on the 2026 Collection Schedule calendar and the Curbside Collection Route Map on the Town's [Collection Schedule page](<https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/collection-schedule>). Residents are responsible for finding their street's day.
2. Put your cart at the curb before 8:00 a.m. on collection day, lid or handle facing the street, away from trees and vehicles, and not blocking the sidewalk.
3. Bring it back within 12 hours after it is emptied. The bylaw allows setting out no more than 12 hours before collection.

## Good to know

- Carts: a green dwelling cart (up to 0.24 m³) is bought from the Town at manufacturer's cost plus shipping and taxes. A blue recycling cart is given once to eligible owners; replacements are bought through the Town.
- One dwelling cart per home is collected. A cart and contents over 45 kg (100 lbs) will not be emptied.
- Carts with restricted materials (for example grass clippings, dirt, liquids, construction waste) may not be collected.
- Fee: $184 a year in 2026 ($190 in 2027, $196 in 2028) for a single-family dwelling; $156 in 2026 for a secondary suite. Set in the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003](<https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/>) and billed on the property tax notice.

## Official forms and pages

- [Collection Schedule](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/collection-schedule)
- [Garbage](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/garbage)

## Related questions

- [Smithers unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/unsightly-property.md)
- [Smithers backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/backyard-fire.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/garbage-collection.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/garbage-collection.md)
- [New Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/garbage-collection.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/garbage-collection.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/garbage-collection.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Garbage, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/garbage) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Collection Schedule, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/collection-schedule) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Recycling, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/town-services/recycling-garbage-yard-waste/recycling) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 1859 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160516/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Smithers. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/garbage-collection/_