---
title: "Sparwood garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected in Sparwood, and what are the rules for set-out and extra bags?"
place: Sparwood, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sparwood
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Sparwood
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Sparwood garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

**Question:** When is garbage collected in Sparwood, and what are the rules for set-out and extra bags?

**Short answer:** In Sparwood, put your garbage cart out between 5 and 7 a.m. on the District’s scheduled collection day. Household garbage is collected every other week. Businesses and multi-family properties arrange their own collection.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Sparwood, https://www.sparwood.ca)  
**Cost:** In 2026, the collection rate for a single-family or semi-detached home is $107.17 per quarter or part of a quarter, including when vacant.  

## Key facts

- **How often:** Every other week.
  - Source: [Garbage, Curbside Garbage Collection](https://www.sparwood.ca/residents/garbage-recycling/garbage)
  - Official wording: "All household garbage will be collected from a standard 242L bear-resistant cart which will be picked up on a bi-weekly schedule."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Finding your day:** Look up the scheduled day for your home on the District collection calendar. Garbage and recycling are collected on alternating weeks.
  - Source: [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated, Solid waste collection and District curbside collection schedule](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544)
  - Official wording: "Amended by ix) Unless otherwise specified by the Director of Operations, waste material and recyclable material will Bylaw 1366 be set out and collected in accordance with the District’s published collection schedule, which may provide for alternating biweekly collection of garbage and recycling."
  - Source: [Garbage, Solid waste collection and District curbside collection schedule](https://www.sparwood.ca/residents/garbage-recycling/garbage)
  - Official wording: "All household garbage will be collected from a standard 242L bear-resistant cart which will be picked up on a bi-weekly schedule. A collection schedule can be found below. Each cart has a serial number which is tied to the house address and the cost of replacing a cart which is lost or damaged will be the cost of the cart, plus 15%."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Carts:** The bylaw provides one garbage cart (240 L or 120 L) and one 240 L recycling cart. Call Public Works at 250-425-7760 for a one-time, free exchange to a smaller garbage cart.
  - Source: [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated, Residential cart limits and Public Works cart exchange](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544)
  - Official wording: "ii) The weight, size, volume and quantity limitations per scheduled residential pick up shall be as follows: (a) Each residential dwelling within the Regular Service Area may be assigned up to two (2) District issued carts: one (1) Garbage Collection Cart (240 L or 120 L) and one (1) Recycle Collection Cart (240 L)."
  - Source: [Garbage, Residential cart limits and Public Works cart exchange](https://www.sparwood.ca/residents/garbage-recycling/garbage)
  - Official wording: "What if I want a Smaller Cart? Households that wish to request a smaller 120L garbage cart, in lieu of the larger 242L cart, may contact the District Public Works Office at 250.425.7760 or email publicworks@sparwood.ca. This is a one-time option to exchange for a smaller cart at no cost."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Setting carts out:** Set out the cart between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on the scheduled day. Close the lid fully and leave the contents uncompacted.
  - Source: [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated, Solid waste collection, curbside placement, printed p. 17](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544)
  - Official wording: "contained within a receptacle designed for composting. Amended by Bylaw 1366 vii) All carts will be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and not before 5:00 a.m. on the property’s scheduled day, with lids fully closed and contents not compacted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Each dwelling in the regular service area may receive one garbage cart and one recycling cart. The lid must close and the contents must not be compacted.
  - Source: [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated, Solid waste collection, residential cart limits, printed p. 17](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544)
  - Official wording: "ii) The weight, size, volume and quantity limitations per scheduled residential pick up shall be as follows: (a) Each residential dwelling within the Regular Service Area may be assigned up to two (2) District issued carts: one (1) Garbage Collection Cart (240 L or 120 L) and one (1) Recycle Collection Cart (240 L)." … "Bylaw 1366 vii) All carts will be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and not before 5:00 a.m. on the property’s scheduled day, with lids fully closed and contents not compacted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fee:** In 2026, the collection rate for a single-family or semi-detached home is $107.17 per quarter or part of a quarter, including when vacant.
  - Source: [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated, Schedule C, 2026 quarterly collection rates](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE "C" (amended by Bylaws 1047, 1052, 1077, 1158, 1190, 1198, 1216, 1258, 1308, 1358 and 1366)" … "COLLECTION RATES Effective January 1 Collection rates and charges imposed and levied for each quarter, or portion thereof, 2026 2027 2028 including vacant Premises, shall be as follows: 1) For the following uses, the rate, including if vacant, shall be: a) Single family residence or semi-detached dwelling (as defined by the $ 107.17 $ 130.00 $ 136.50 b) Manufactured home park - per pad $ 107.17 $ 130.00 $ 136.50 c) For each dwelling unit not contained in a single family residence, semi- $ 107.17 $ 130.00 $ 136.50 detached dwelling, or manufactured home park"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** District of Sparwood Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, as amended.
  - Source: [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated, Bylaw title and solid waste collection, printed p. 16](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544)
  - Official wording: "Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009 1047, 1052, 1077, 1158, 1174, 1190, 1198, 1216, 1221, 1228, 1258, 1304, 1308, 1319, 1330, 1341, 1358, 1366 This document has been reproduced for convenience only and is a consolidation of “District of Sparwood Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009” with the following amending bylaws:" … "Amended by ix) Unless otherwise specified by the Director of Operations, waste material and recyclable material will Bylaw 1366 be set out and collected in accordance with the District’s published collection schedule, which may provide for alternating biweekly collection of garbage and recycling."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Find the service for the actual address before setting anything out. A collection schedule, a set-out time and the amount the collector will take answer three separate questions about the same pickup. Look up the scheduled day for your home on the District collection calendar. Garbage and recycling are collected on alternating weeks.

## Steps

1. Use the service information in [Garbage](https://www.sparwood.ca/residents/garbage-recycling/garbage). Locate the address on the service schedule or confirm the arrangement for the household. Check that you are reading the garbage instructions for the correct day or route.
2. Check the permitted container and sort out anything that must go to a different service. Use the set-out instructions for the property, especially where wildlife or shared bins are a concern.

## Good to know

- The bylaw provides one garbage cart (240 L or 120 L) and one 240 L recycling cart. Call Public Works at 250-425-7760 for a one-time, free exchange to a smaller garbage cart.
- Set out the cart between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on the scheduled day. Close the lid fully and leave the contents uncompacted.
- Each dwelling in the regular service area may receive one garbage cart and one recycling cart. The lid must close and the contents must not be compacted.
- In 2026, the collection rate for a single-family or semi-detached home is $107.17 per quarter or part of a quarter, including when vacant.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated (PDF)](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544).

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Fernie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/garbage-collection.md)
- [Elkford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/garbage-collection.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/garbage-collection.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/garbage-collection.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/garbage-collection.md)
- [Invermere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Garbage](https://www.sparwood.ca/residents/garbage-recycling/garbage) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Sparwood municipal office contact information](https://www.sparwood.ca/municipal-hall/contact) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014 (2009), consolidated (PDF)](https://sparwood.civicweb.net/document/27544) (read 2026-11-09)

_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 District of Sparwood. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/garbage-collection/_