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

# Summerland garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

**Short answer:** Summerland collects residential garbage about every two weeks, with food scraps and yard waste weekly, and you cannot opt out of garbage or recycling. Have your cart out by 7:00 a.m. on your day. Extra bags beside the cart are collected only with a $2.50 tag-a-bag label. The contractor is Waste Connections.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Summerland, https://www.summerland.ca)  
**Cost:** Monthly Base Cart Program fee $21.65 per household, billed on the utility bill. Larger garbage cart: 240 L $10.06 more a month; 360 L $20.13 more. Tag-a-bag label $2.50. Cart change-out admin fee $30.  
**How long:** Collections are usually done by 5:00 p.m.  
**Where:**
- Online: Residential collection calendar and reminders, https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-collection-calendar (Enter your address and choose "Get a reminder!")
- Phone: Waste Connections (damaged cart), 1-866-998-4888
- Email: Cart change-outs, utilities@summerland.ca

## Key facts

- **How often:** Under the bylaw: garbage and recycling each as nearly as possible once every two weeks, and food scraps/yard waste once a week, on a consistent day. Collection by Waste Connections of Canada.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw 2018-018 (consolidated to Feb 27, 2024), ss. 3.3.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.8, 3.1.3](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/solid-waste-mngt-bylaw-no-2018-018-cons-to-feb-27-2024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Curbside Residential Waste collection services will be provided to all" … "as nearly as possible once every two weeks or at such" … "Curbside Yard and Garden Waste collection services will be provided" … "as nearly as possible to once every week or at such other times as the Director may determine from time to time."
  - Source: [Residential Recycling Collection, Guidelines](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-recycling-cart)
  - Official wording: "Recyclable material is collected bi-weekly on your scheduled collection day."
  - Source: [Missed Collections and Inquiries, Missed collections](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/missed-collections-issues)
  - Official wording: "Garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection in Summerland is done by Waste Connections of Canada."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Enter your address on the District's Residential Collection Calendar page and choose 'Get a reminder!' to get collection-day reminders and service alerts.
  - Source: [Residential Collection Calendar, Need a Reminder for Collection Days?](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-collection-calendar)
  - Official wording: "Type in your address below, choose the 'Get a reminder!' option, and select your preferred method of communication."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** Base program: one 120 L garbage cart, one 240 L recycling cart and one 240 L yard and garden cart. Garbage carts come in 120 L, 240 L and 360 L; recycling and yard carts in 120 L, 240 L and 360 L. To change, send the Cart Change-Out Request Form (signed by the owner) to utilities@summerland.ca or Municipal Hall; $30 admin fee; up to four weeks. Damaged cart: Waste Connections 1-866-998-4888.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule L (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026), Schedule L s. 4.1](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Base Cart Program includes: one (1) 120 Litre Curbside Residential Waste Cart, one (1) 240" … "Litre Curbside Recyclable Materials Cart, and one (1) 240 Litre Curbside Yard and Garden Waste Cart"
  - Source: [Residential Garbage Collection, Residential Garbage Collection Details](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-garbage-cart)
  - Official wording: "Garbage carts are available in 120L (base size), 240L, and 360L sizes."
  - Source: [Cart Change Outs](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/cart-change-outs)
  - Official wording: "Complete the Cart Change-Out Request Form. Please ensure your form is signed." … "Your requested cart(s) may take up to four weeks to be delivered."
  - Source: [Residential Dwellings, Moving? Damaged Cart?](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings)
  - Official wording: "contact Waste Connections of Canada at 1-866-998-4888."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Carts out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. The bylaw allows carts to be placed no earlier than 5 a.m. on the day and requires removal by 9 p.m. Place within 1 m of the road, lane or back of sidewalk, wheels away from the road, lid arrow pointing to the road, 1 m apart, with 3 m clearance above.
  - Source: [Residential Garbage Collection, Residential Garbage Collection Details](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-garbage-cart)
  - Official wording: "Please ensure your carts are out by 7:00am, and your carts are properly placed."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw 2018-018 (consolidated to Feb 27, 2024), s. 3.1.3(d), (e)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/solid-waste-mngt-bylaw-no-2018-018-cons-to-feb-27-2024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "at the collection location no earlier than 5am and must be removed from the" … "must be removed from the collection location no later than 9pm." … "within one metre (3 feet) of the travelled" … "and with 3 metres (10 feet) of clearance above."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** The lid must close; overfilled or tightly packed carts may not be emptied. Extra garbage or yard waste beside the cart needs a $2.50 tag-a-bag label (from Municipal Hall). Garbage must be bagged inside the cart; ashes cooled two weeks and bagged separately. No liquids, hot ashes or recyclables.
  - Source: [Residential Garbage Collection, Details](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-garbage-cart)
  - Official wording: "All garbage material should be contained in bags within the cart. Bags outside garbage carts will not be collected." … "purchase tag-a-bags for extra garbage or yard waste ($2.50 each)"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw 2018-018 (consolidated to Feb 27, 2024), ss. 3.1.5(g), 3.3.4, 3.1.7(a)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/solid-waste-mngt-bylaw-no-2018-018-cons-to-feb-27-2024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "exceed the manufacturers weight" … "Each Participant (customer) supplied Container will be tagged with a" … "Ashes must be entirely cooled for no less than a two-week period" … "may be placed alongside their respective Carts at the curb for collection subject to the"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule L (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026), Schedule L s. 4.1.15](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tag a Bag Label- Collection of additional Customer 4.1.15 Supplied Container for Curbside Residential Waste and $2.50/Tag-a-Bag Label Curbside Yard and Garden Waste."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Monthly Base Cart Program fee: $21.65 per household, billed on the monthly utility bill. Upsizing the garbage cart: 240 L $10.06 more a month; 360 L $20.13 more a month; extra 240 L cart $20.13 a month. Late payment: 2% penalty.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule L (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026), Schedule L s. 4.1](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "4.1.1 Monthly Base Cart Program Fee" … "$21.65/Participant" … "$10.06/month" … "$20.13/month" … "A two (2) percent penalty will be applied"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw No. 2018-018; fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 98-001, Schedule L.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule A](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT REGULATION BYLAW NUMBER 2018-018"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule L (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SOLID WASTE FEES AND CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The District of Summerland provides garbage and recycling collection to every residential dwelling through its contractor, Waste Connections, and you cannot opt out. Under the [Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw 2018-018](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/solid-waste-mngt-bylaw-no-2018-018-cons-to-feb-27-2024.pdf), garbage and recycling are each collected as nearly as possible once every two weeks, and food scraps and yard waste once a week, on a consistent day. The base program is one 120 L garbage cart, one 240 L recycling cart and one 240 L yard and garden cart. Fees are in [Schedule L of the Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf).

To find your collection day, enter your address on the District's collection calendar page and choose "Get a reminder!" for reminders and service alerts. Check the same page for the schedule that currently applies.

## Steps

1. Put your cart out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. The bylaw allows carts out no earlier than 5 a.m. that day and requires them removed by 9 p.m.
2. Place it within 1 m of the road, lane or back of sidewalk, wheels away from the road and the lid arrow pointing to the road, 1 m from other carts, with 3 m clear above.
3. The lid must close. Overfilled or tightly packed carts may not be emptied. Put garbage in bags inside the cart.
4. For extra garbage or yard waste beside the cart, buy a $2.50 tag-a-bag label at Municipal Hall. Bags outside the cart without a tag are not collected.
5. Leave the cart out until it is emptied. Each material is picked up separately.

## Good to know

- Not allowed in the garbage cart: liquids, hot ashes (cool ashes for two weeks and bag them separately) and recyclables.
- Contents may not exceed the cart manufacturer's weight limit; the bylaw gives no number.
- Carts with wildlife attractants may be put out only after 5 a.m. on collection day.
- To change cart size, send the signed Cart Change-Out Request Form to utilities@summerland.ca or Municipal Hall. There is a $30 admin fee and it can take up to four weeks. Garbage carts come in 120 L, 240 L and 360 L.
- Damaged cart: call Waste Connections at 1-866-998-4888.
- Late payment of the utility bill carries a 2% penalty.
- Holidays: collection continues on all statutory holidays except Christmas Day and New Year's Day, which move to Saturday.

## Official forms and pages

- [Residential Garbage Collection](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-garbage-cart)
- [Cart Change Outs](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/cart-change-outs)
- [Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw 2018-018 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/solid-waste-mngt-bylaw-no-2018-018-cons-to-feb-27-2024.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Summerland yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/garbage-collection.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/garbage-collection.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/garbage-collection.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/garbage-collection.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/garbage-collection.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Residential Garbage Collection, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-garbage-cart) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Collection Calendar, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-collection-calendar) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Missed Collections and Inquiries, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/missed-collections-issues) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Recycling Collection, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/residential-recycling-cart) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Cart Change Outs, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings/cart-change-outs) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Dwellings, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/curbside-collection/residential-dwellings) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw 2018-018 (consolidated to Feb 27, 2024) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/solid-waste-mngt-bylaw-no-2018-018-cons-to-feb-27-2024.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule L (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.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 District of Summerland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/garbage-collection/_