Williams Lake garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

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

Williams Lake, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

How it works

The City's contractor collects garbage and recycling carts under the Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Bylaw. Each home gets one garbage cart and one recycling cart, 240 L or 120 L. Garbage and recycling carts go out on the same set weekday (Monday to Thursday, by zone). The City guide refers to weekly and holiday collection schedules, but no City page states the recycling frequency in plain words, so check the calendar. No curbside organics collection is mentioned; food waste can be dropped off at the Central Cariboo Transfer Station.

Steps

1. Find your day on the colour-coded collection map and printable calendar on the Garbage Collection Schedule page. Questions: Municipal Services, 250-392-1784.
2. Put carts out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and bring them in the same day.
3. Place them with wheels against the curb, 3 to 4 feet apart (at the edge of the road if there is no curb). Keep them clear of snow, debris and parked vehicles.
4. In winter, keep carts off snow banks and keep lids fully closed.

Good to know

• If your day falls on a statutory holiday, collection is one day later that week, and all other days that week shift forward one day.
• Fee: billed on the annual property tax notice with water and sewer. The City does not publish the amount.
• A 120 L set needs a Service Level Change application for a permanent physical disability; changing back to 240 L costs $130. Lost, stolen or damaged carts: $65 (120 L) or $108.35 plus GST (240 L), bought at City Hall during business hours. Secondary suites: a second set of carts plus $10 a month.
• Excess garbage placed beside the cart is not collected, and lids must be completely closed. Excess household waste can go to the Central Cariboo Transfer Station.
• Not allowed in carts: explosives, liquids, construction waste, trade waste, oversized items and similar.
• The City's winter cart advice differs between FAQ answers (1 metre or 2 metres from obstructions such as snow banks); leave plenty of room.
• Bylaw notices: $100 for prohibited waste, $50 for carts left out after collection day.
• The City's copy of the bylaw is dated 2016; later changes, if any, were not seen.