City of Courtenay property owners with automated curbside collection will once again have the option to request a change in the sizes of their household’s curbside organics and recycling carts.
Beginning October 1, 2025, households included in the City of Courtenay’s residential curbside collection program may choose from 120L or 360L for their organics cart, and 120L, 240L or 360L for their recycling cart, depending on the sizes of their existing carts. To learn more, and launch the cart exchange request, visit courtenay.ca/carts
“We’ve had automated collection for nearly two years, and overall we’ve seen that the majority of Courtenay residents have done a great job with the new system and managing their solid waste,” said Chris Thompson, Manager of Public Works at the City of Courtenay. “The City’s annual cart exchange is intended for residents who’d like to change their organics and recycling cart sizes to more closely meet their needs. Perhaps they’ve moved recently, or their household has changed. The online portal is an easy way for residents to request an exchange.”
Property owners may submit cart exchange requests from October 1 to 17, 2025. The City contractor, Emterra Environmental, will contact property owners within three weeks of the request to arrange the exchange. In 2025, exchanges will be subject to a $65 administrative fee for properties that have already received an exchange.
Residents of multi-residential, strata or manufactured home parks with curbside collection through the City wishing to exchange carts should contact their property manager. The City has provided cart exchange information directly to property managers responsible for utility billing.
Garbage carts are not included in the exchange program. All garbage carts are 120L. To manage garbage volumes at the curb and reduce impacts to the landfill, residents are encouraged to divert recycling and organic material. To find out what goes where, use the Waste Wizard on the Courtenay Collects app or visit courtenay.ca/collects.
If you have questions about the cart exchange, please email solidwaste@courtenay.ca. Residents without internet access may call Operational Services at 250-338-1525 for assistance with their cart exchanges.
For general information regarding automated collection, visit courtenay.ca/carts.