Cart size exchanges: The cart exchange program will be open to single-residential homes and duplexes from October 1 to 17, 2025. A $65 administrative fee applies only to households that have previously requested a cart exchange.
Residents of multi-residential, strata or manufactured home parks, please contact your property manager for an exchange.
Access the Cart Exchange Portal
Automated collection system
Automated collection uses wheeled carts and collection trucks with mechanical arms. This system improves efficiency, reduces worker injuries and contains waste securely.
- Standardized carts are required — personal carts will not be collected.
- Extra waste outside the carts will not be collected.
- Garbage and recycling are collected every two weeks, on alternating weeks; organics are collected weekly.
- After a statutory holiday, all collection days that week shift by one day. For example, if your regular day is Monday, pickup will be on Tuesday.
- Curbside collection is a required service for all households.
- Carts are City property and assigned to your address.
Cart sizes
Single-residential dwellings and duplex units receive one set of the following carts:
- 360 L recycling (blue lid)
- 360 L organics (green lid)
- 120 L garbage (black lid)
Homes with a legal secondary suite or carriage house (who pay two garbage fees) receive a second smaller set of carts:
- 240 L recycling (blue lid)
- 120 L organics (green lid)
- 120 L garbage (black lid)
Patio homes, townhouses, fourplexes and mobile homes in mobile home parks receive one set of the following carts:
- 240 L recycling (blue lid)
- 120 L organics (green lid)
- 120 L garbage (black lid)
Cart dimensions
| Cart size | Height | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360 L | 110 cm (43 in) | 74 cm (29 in) | 85 cm (33 in) |
| 240 L | 110 cm (43 in) | 68 cm (27 in) | 68 cm (27 in) |
| 120 L | 95 cm (37 in) | 47 cm (18.5 in) | 61 cm (24 in) |
Cart requests and exchanges
You can request extra garbage, recycling or organics carts for an additional yearly fee. Fees are based on the full cost of the cart size selected.
- Additional carts: Available for an extra fee. Email solidwaste@courtenay.ca to request.
- Cart size exchanges: The cart exchange program will be open to single-residential homes and duplexes from October 1 to 17, and to stratas from October 20 to 31. Each exchange costs $65.