Peterborough Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: Collection Day, Green Bin, Recycling, Yard Waste and Large Items
This Peterborough garbage schedule guide is for City of Peterborough, Ontario residents who need the practical answer before collection morning: which day to use, whether garbage is due this week, what clear-bag rules apply, how Green Bin and blue box collection work, when yard waste is collected, how large item pickup is booked, and which phone number fixes a missed pickup.
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Quick Answer: How Peterborough Residents Should Check Pickup
Use the City of Peterborough Waste Wizard and Collection Schedule for your exact address. It can show your collection day, the downloadable 2026 Waste Management Calendar, holiday changes, service delay notices, reminder sign-up and personal calendar options. For most curbside homes, Green Bin and recycling are weekly, while garbage is bi-weekly and must be placed in clear transparent bags.
Search your address
Use the official schedule tool. Peterborough has collection zones, and the weekday alone does not tell you whether garbage is due this week.
Green Bin
Household organics are collected weekly. Put the city Green Bin out by 7 a.m. with the arrows facing the street.
Recycling
Blue box recycling is weekly and sorted into container and paper streams. Recycling collection issues go to Emterra.
Garbage
Most residential garbage is every other week. Clear bags are mandatory and garbage cannot be set out in bins or pails.
This guide is for the City of Peterborough, Ontario. If your address is in Peterborough County outside the city, your township coordinates garbage collection and transfer stations. Use your township’s rules instead of the city schedule.
Peterborough Garbage Collection Calendar 2026: Address Lookup First
Searches like “Peterborough trash pickup schedule 2026,” “Peterborough garbage collection calendar,” “Peterborough garbage pickup day,” and “City of Peterborough waste calendar” all lead to the same practical step: search the official schedule by address. The 2026 Waste Management Calendar is also available online and at city facilities, but a personalized lookup is safer for weekly reminders and holiday changes.
- Open the official Waste Wizard. Use the City schedule page rather than a screenshot or old fridge calendar.
- Enter your address. Confirm your collection day and whether garbage, Green Bin, recycling or yard waste is due.
- Download or print the 2026 calendar. Hard copies are listed for City Hall, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, and Miskin Law Community Centre while supplies last.
- Set up reminders. Use text or email reminders if the app is not working for your device.
- Recheck holiday weeks. Easter, Christmas, New Year and facility closures can create different service notes.
What Goes Out in Peterborough: Garbage, Green Bin, Recycling and Yard Waste
Peterborough collection makes sense when you separate the stream first. The stream decides the container, collection frequency, contact path and what to do if it is missed.
| Stream | Typical 2026 routine | How to set it out | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage | Bi-weekly for most curbside homes | Clear transparent bags only; no bins or containers for garbage bags at curb. | City of Peterborough / Public Works |
| Green Bin | Weekly | Use the city-issued Green Bin; arrows toward street; 2 feet clearance from other items. | City of Peterborough |
| Recycling | Weekly | Use two-stream blue box sorting: containers and paper. Keep containers loose. | Emterra / Circular Materials |
| Yard waste | Weekly from first full week of April through end of November | Paper yard waste bags, bushel baskets, or labelled open-top containers under 13 kg. | City of Peterborough |
| Large items | Monthly from April through September | Book in advance; set out by 7 a.m. on the scheduled pickup week. | City booking tool / Service Peterborough |
| HHW and electronics | Depot drop-off | Take hazardous and electronic waste to 400 Pido Rd. during depot hours. | HHW Depot / City |
Green Bin weekly. Recycling weekly. Yard waste seasonal weekly. Garbage usually every other week. Clear bags only.
Peterborough Clear Garbage Bag Rules: Limits, Privacy Bags and Rejections
The phrase “Peterborough garbage bag limit” usually means the resident is trying to avoid a rejected bag. The City’s clear-bag program is about worker safety and sorting. Tinted blue, green or black garbage bags are not accepted for curbside garbage collection.
Pickup-ready clear bag checklist
- Use clear transparent garbage bags.
- Set bags at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
- Do not set bags out before 6 p.m. the evening before.
- Keep each bag no larger than 89 cm by 90 cm.
- Keep each bag at or below 13.6 kg / 30 lb.
- Use up to three smaller opaque privacy bags inside each clear bag.
- Remove uncollected garbage from the curb by 8 p.m.
Common clear-bag failures
- Using tinted blue, green or black garbage bags.
- Putting garbage bags inside bins, pails or containers at the curb.
- Putting extra bags over the limit.
- Hiding recycling, organics, paint, oil, chemicals, batteries or sharps in garbage.
- Setting bags on snowbanks or blocked areas where collectors cannot safely reach them.
- Using garbage for items that belong in Green Bin, blue boxes, HHW Depot, landfill or large item pickup.
Six units or fewer
Until December 31, 2027, residential households with six or fewer units are permitted up to eight clear garbage bags per unit bi-weekly.
Three bags per unit
Residential properties that receive weekly curbside garbage collection are permitted up to three clear garbage bags per unit weekly.
Tagged and left
Bags over the limit can be tagged and left behind. Reducing organics and recyclables is the easiest way to stay under the limit.
Peterborough Pickup Tools: Save This Page Before Collection Morning
These tools are not official dispatch tools. They help you use the official Peterborough calendar correctly, estimate whether garbage week is coming, check clear-bag limits, and choose the safest route for confusing items.
Peterborough Green Bin Collection: Weekly Organics and Set-Out Rules
Green Bin collection is weekly for eligible Peterborough households. The Green Bin is not a yard-waste cart and not a regular garbage bin. It is for household organics such as food scraps, meat, bones, soiled paper products and certain pet waste when prepared correctly.
What belongs in the Green Bin
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Meat, fish, bones and shellfish
- Egg shells, dairy, bread, rice and pasta
- Coffee grounds, filters and tea bags
- Paper towels, tissues, napkins and food-soiled pizza boxes
- Pet waste and kitty litter with no plastic liner bags
- Cold wood ashes, wet and in a compostable bag
Keep these out
- Plastic bags, baggies and milk bags
- Plastic food containers and coffee pods
- Diapers and wipes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Aluminum foil, trays and roasting pans
- Clothing, rags, carpets and rugs
- Yard waste such as leaves and brush
Arrows face street
Place the Green Bin at the curb by 7 a.m., with arrows on the lid facing the street and the handle toward your house.
2 feet clearance
Leave at least 2 feet / 0.6 m between the Green Bin and blue boxes, yard waste or garbage bags.
Paper or certified compostable
Paper liners and certified compostable bags are accepted. Oxo-degradable or uncertified products are not accepted.
Peterborough Recycling Schedule: Blue Boxes, Emterra and Circular Materials
Peterborough recycling is weekly, but it uses two streams: containers and paper. Residents searching “Peterborough recycling schedule,” “blue box pickup Peterborough,” or “missed recycling Peterborough” should know that recycling collection is provided through Circular Materials, and Emterra is the local collection contact for missed or incomplete recycling collection.
Loose in blue box
Glass containers, plastic containers, cartons, aluminum, metal cans, empty aerosol containers and many food tubs belong loose in the container stream.
Paper and cardboard
Cardboard, boxboard, papers, flyers, magazines, paper bags and certain flexible plastic packaging are listed under the paper stream.
Call Emterra
For missed or incomplete recycling collection or blue box issues, contact Emterra at 1-888-597-1541.
| Recycling intent | Practical Peterborough answer |
|---|---|
| “Can I bag recycling?” | Containers should be loose in the blue box. Bagged containers can be left uncollected because they cause processing problems. |
| “What if I need to bag containers?” | Take the bagged containers to the Drop-Off Depot at 390 Pido Rd. and empty them there. |
| “Can I recycle cardboard?” | Yes. Bundle and tie loose cardboard or place it in the paper stream according to city guidance. |
| “Who handles recycling in Peterborough?” | Circular Materials is responsible for collection of recyclables; Emterra handles local collection issues and missed/incomplete pickup. |
Peterborough Yard Waste Pickup 2026: Weekly April Through November
Yard waste is collected weekly from the first full week of April until the end of November, on the same day as Green Bin and garbage. This is separate from the Green Bin program, so do not put leaves and brush into the Green Bin.
How to set out yard waste
- Use brown paper yard waste bags, bushel baskets or approved open-top containers.
- Use labelled reusable containers with two fixed handles and removable lids.
- Keep each container or bundle under 13 kg / 30 lb.
- Tie brush with light rope or twine.
- Keep brush bundles up to 1 m / 3 ft long and 30 cm / 12 in diameter.
- Set out after 6 p.m. the night before or by 7 a.m. collection morning.
What not to do
- No plastic bags.
- No blue boxes or Green Bins for yard waste.
- No damaged or broken bins.
- No soil or stones.
- No stumps or brush over the maximum dimensions.
- No pet waste in yard waste.
In late October and November, yard waste can freeze inside rigid bins. Paper bags can reduce the chance that frozen material sticks to the container and stays behind.
Peterborough Holiday Garbage Schedule 2026
Holiday collection is exactly where old calendars and repeating phone reminders fail. Use the Waste Wizard for live changes. For 2026, official service notices show that Easter Friday collection in Zones 7 and 8 moved to Monday, April 6, while Victoria Day did not change curbside Green Bin and garbage collection. Recycling has its own Christmas and New Year notes through the recycling calendar.
| Holiday / service note | 2026 practical answer | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday / Easter weekend | Zones 7 and 8 Friday collection moved to Monday, April 6, 2026. | Check Waste Wizard and zone-specific notices before setting out. |
| Victoria Day, May 18, 2026 | The City announced no change to curbside Green Bin and garbage collection. | Facility closures still applied, so landfill and HHW Depot needed checking. |
| Christmas Day and New Year’s Day recycling | The 2026 recycling calendar says recycling is not collected on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day; if your collection day falls on one of those days, recycling is collected the following Saturday. | Use the Circular Materials / Emterra recycling calendar and the City Waste Wizard. |
| Landfill and HHW Depot holidays | Facility closures and shortened hours can differ from curbside collection. | Check landfill and HHW Depot hours before loading your vehicle. |
Peterborough Large Item Pickup 2026: Furniture, Mattresses and Appliances
Large item pickup is for items too big or heavy for regular curbside collection. The City defines large items as more than 13.6 kg / 30 lb and longer than 1 m / 3 ft. Collection is monthly from April through September, and the City announced that large item pickup fees are waived for the remainder of 2026 under a Clean Streets Peterborough pilot.
Do not just place it out
Large items must be booked in advance online, by phone, or in person at Service Peterborough.
Fees waived
For the remainder of 2026, the City lists large item pickup at no cost, but booking is still required.
7 a.m. pickup week
Set eligible items at curbside by 7 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day/week. Collection may take several days citywide.
| Item | Peterborough path | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress, box spring, couch, chair, table, dresser | Large item pickup if booked | Sectional pieces count separately. Bed bug affected mattresses or box springs must be placed in a clear plastic bag. |
| Fridge, freezer, air conditioner, dehumidifier | Large item pickup only if refrigerant removed and tagged | Items without refrigerant-removal certification are not collected at curb. |
| TVs, computers, electronics | HHW / electronics depot | Electronics are not accepted through large item collection. |
| Propane tanks, fluorescent tubes | HHW Depot | Do not put these in garbage or large item pickup. |
| Construction, demolition, roofing, bricks, blocks, fences, hot tubs | Not curbside large item pickup | Use landfill or private disposal after checking rules and fees. |
Peterborough Drop-Off: Landfill, HHW Depot, Electronics and “Near Me” Disposal
When residents search “garbage disposal near me Peterborough,” “paint disposal Peterborough,” “electronics recycling Peterborough,” or “where to take hazardous waste,” the correct answer is often not curbside pickup. Use the City/County Landfill for many disposal loads and the Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot for hazardous and electronic materials.
1260 Bensfort Rd.
The Peterborough Waste Management Facility accepts waste generated in the City and County of Peterborough only. It is about 6 km south of the city and has weekday/Saturday hours.
400 Pido Rd.
Household hazardous waste and electronics go to the depot. Keep materials sealed, labelled, unmixed and secured in your vehicle.
| Material | Best route | Resident note |
|---|---|---|
| Paints, stains, oils, gasoline, cleaners, chemicals | HHW Depot | Do not put hazardous waste in garbage. |
| Batteries, propane tanks, pesticides, fluorescent tubes | HHW Depot | Sharps must be in an approved sealed medical waste container. |
| Computers, monitors, printers, TVs up to 52 inches, small corded appliances | Electronics depot | Used electronics are accepted free at the depot unless the item has special restrictions such as broken screens. |
| Refrigerant appliances at landfill | Landfill fee route | Landfill fees include refrigerant removal for listed refrigerant items. |
| Mattress and box spring drop-off | Landfill fee route | Landfill fees apply per mattress/box spring; curbside large item booking may be better when available. |
Missed Garbage Pickup in Peterborough: Use the Right Contact Path
Before reporting a missed pickup, identify the stream. Garbage, Green Bin and yard waste are City contact paths. Recycling is handled through Emterra and Circular Materials. Wrong contact path means slower help.
Contact the City
Call 705-742-7777 dial 8 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or use the online missed collection form. For weekends, holidays or after-hours Public Works, use 705-745-1386.
Contact Emterra first
For missed or incomplete recycling collection, blue box issues or recycling collection questions, call 1-888-597-1541. If unresolved, contact Circular Materials.
Quick missed-pickup self-check
- Was it your correct address-based collection day?
- Was garbage actually scheduled this week?
- Was material out by 7 a.m. and not before 6 p.m. the night before?
- Were garbage bags clear, under weight and within the limit?
- Was Green Bin spacing at least 2 feet from other items?
- Was recycling loose and sorted into the right blue box stream?
- Was yard waste in paper bags, bushel baskets or labelled approved containers?
- Was the item large, hazardous, electronic or landfill-only?
City, County, DBIA, Commercial and Multi-Unit Rules
This is where many Peterborough searches go wrong. A house inside the City, a County township address, a DBIA business, a commercial property and a building with private collection may all have different rules.
Use City Waste Wizard
Most curbside residents inside the City use the Peterborough Waste Wizard and the city rules in this guide.
Use township guidance
Peterborough County says local townships coordinate garbage collection and manage transfer stations.
Special downtown rules
DBIA businesses and residences receive garbage collection twice weekly, with Tuesday/Thursday overnight garbage and Wednesday recycling.
| Property type | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Residential six units or fewer | City address schedule, Green Bin eligibility and clear-bag limits. | Green Bins are provided to addresses with six units or fewer. |
| ICI commercial / institutional | Commercial collection page. | ICI garbage collection is every other week, with up to 12 clear bags per eligible property and recycling weekly on Wednesdays. |
| Downtown DBIA | DBIA timing and bag rules. | Garbage set-out windows and recycling removal times differ from normal curbside homes. |
| Private collection or condo-style property | Property manager or private hauler. | Do not assume City curbside rules apply if your building manages its own waste. |
Reusable Exchange Weekends: A Better Option Before Large Item Pickup
Some searches for “bulk pickup” are actually reuse problems. If the item is still usable, Peterborough’s Reusable Exchange Weekends can keep it out of the landfill and save a large item booking.
| 2026 Reusable Exchange Weekend | Resident action |
|---|---|
| May 8–10, 2026 | Place reusable items at the curb Friday evening and bring unclaimed items back in Sunday evening. |
| June 12–14, 2026 | Use for clean, safe, reusable household items that a neighbour might claim. |
| July 10–12, 2026 | Do not leave electronics, paint or unsafe items as curb freebies. |
| August 14–16, 2026 | Use caution with second-hand products and Health Canada safety guidance. |
| September 11–13, 2026 | Bring unclaimed items back in or use depot/landfill/large item routes. |
Official Peterborough Links Residents Actually Need
Use the right link for the task. This saves time because recycling, garbage, Green Bin, large items, HHW and County township service are not handled the same way.
Editorial and Source Verification Note
This independent Peterborough garbage schedule guide was refreshed for the title Peterborough Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026 and the slug peterborough-trash-pickup-schedule-garbage-collection. It covers the practical search intent behind Peterborough trash pickup schedule, garbage collection calendar, City of Peterborough waste calendar, Peterborough garbage pickup day, Waste Wizard, Green Bin, clear garbage bags, recycling schedule, yard waste pickup, large item pickup, missed garbage, HHW Depot, landfill, Emterra recycling contact and Peterborough County vs City confusion.
Collection dates, service alerts, large item booking availability, facility fees, holiday hours and accepted materials can change. Always verify live details with the City of Peterborough, Emterra, Circular Materials, Peterborough County, your township, your property manager or your private hauler before setting out waste, reporting a missed pickup, booking a large item or visiting a facility.
Peterborough Trash Pickup and Garbage Schedule FAQ
How do I find my Peterborough garbage pickup day?
Use the City of Peterborough Waste Wizard and Collection Schedule. Enter your exact address to see your collection day, 2026 calendar, reminders, service alerts and holiday changes.
Is Peterborough garbage picked up every week?
Most residential curbside garbage is collected every other week. Green Bin and recycling are collected weekly. Some weekly or DBIA collection areas have different rules, so check your address and property type.
What time should Peterborough garbage be out?
Set clear garbage bags at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day and not before 6 p.m. the preceding day. Uncollected garbage should be removed from the curb by 8 p.m.
Does Peterborough require clear garbage bags?
Yes. Garbage must be in clear transparent bags. Tinted blue, green or black bags are not accepted for curbside garbage collection.
Can I put garbage bags in a bin or garbage can at the curb?
No. The City says garbage cannot be set out in bins, pails or containers. Set out the clear garbage bag only.
How many garbage bags can I put out in Peterborough?
Until December 31, 2027, residential households with six or fewer units are permitted up to eight clear bags per unit bi-weekly. Properties that receive weekly curbside garbage collection are permitted up to three clear bags per unit weekly.
Is Green Bin collected weekly in Peterborough?
Yes. The City provides weekly Green Bin collection for household organic waste at eligible addresses. Use the city-issued Green Bin and follow the mechanical-arm placement rules.
Who do I call for missed recycling in Peterborough?
Call Emterra at 1-888-597-1541 for missed or incomplete recycling collection, blue box inquiries or other recycling collection questions.
Who do I call for missed garbage, Green Bin or yard waste?
Call the City at 705-742-7777 and dial 8 during business hours, use the online missed collection form, or call 705-745-1386 on weekends, holidays or after business hours.
When is yard waste collected in Peterborough?
Yard waste is collected weekly from the first full week of April until the end of November on the same day as Green Bin and garbage collection.
Can I put yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Use brown paper yard waste bags, bushel baskets or approved labelled open-top containers. Plastic bags, blue boxes and Green Bins are not accepted for yard waste.
Does Peterborough pick up mattresses and couches?
Yes, mattresses, box springs, couches, chairs and many furniture items can be accepted through large item pickup when booked in advance and prepared correctly.
Is large item pickup free in Peterborough in 2026?
The City announced that large item pickup fees are waived for the remainder of 2026 under a pilot program. Bookings are still required, and only eligible items are collected.
Where do I take paint, batteries, chemicals or electronics in Peterborough?
Use the Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. for accepted hazardous waste and electronics. Do not place these items in regular garbage.
Where is the Peterborough landfill?
The Peterborough Waste Management Facility is at 1260 Bensfort Rd. in Otonabee-South Monaghan, about 6 km south of the city. Check hours, holiday closures, fees and accepted material before visiting.
What if I live in Peterborough County but outside the City?
Use your local township’s garbage collection rules. Peterborough County says local townships coordinate garbage collection and transfer stations, while the City of Peterborough rules apply to City service areas.
Is Garbage-Collection.org the City of Peterborough?
No. Garbage-Collection.org is an independent resident help guide. For live pickup dates, official notices, booking availability, fees and final decisions, use the official City, Emterra, Circular Materials, County or township links on this page.
Final Peterborough Resident Summary
For 2026, the safest Peterborough garbage routine is simple: search your address in the City Waste Wizard, confirm whether garbage is due this week, set clear transparent garbage bags out after 6 p.m. the night before or by 7 a.m. on collection morning, and keep Green Bin, recycling and yard waste separate.
Use the City for garbage, Green Bin, yard waste, missed city collection, large item pickup, landfill and HHW Depot questions. Use Emterra for missed recycling or blue box issues. Use your township if you are outside City limits in Peterborough County. When unsure, use the official links before moving heavy items to the curb.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
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