Your Burnaby Trash Day — Easy to Follow in 2026
If you live in a Burnaby house or duplex, the biggest thing to remember is that garbage is not weekly. Burnaby collects garbage every other week, while your green bin and recycling are collected weekly. The key to staying on track is using the 2026 curbside collection calendar and matching your home to the correct colour-coded zone.
📑 What’s in this guide
This article is mainly for Burnaby houses and duplexes, because the city’s 2026 curbside calendar and every-other-week garbage pattern are written for that service type. Apartments, condos and townhouses can still receive City collection in some buildings, but they should confirm their schedule separately with Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling.
How to Find Your Burnaby Trash Pickup Day (Fast Lookup)
Burnaby uses a zone-based calendar instead of a simple citywide weekday list. The official 2026 calendar includes a zone map, colour codes and a “G” marker so you can tell when garbage is picked up.
- Open the official 2026 calendar. Use the Burnaby Curbside Collection Calendar.
- Find your property on the zone map. The calendar uses zones like 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and so on.
- Match your zone colour on the monthly calendars. That colour tells you your regular pickup day.
- Look for the “G”. If “G” appears in your zone colour that week, garbage, green bin and recycling are all collected. If it does not appear, only green bin and recycling are collected.
- Use the app or call for help. Burnaby also recommends its collection app for reminders, and you can call 604-294-7972 for missed pickups or schedule questions.
Burnaby Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs When
Burnaby’s curbside service for houses and duplexes is built around waste reduction. That is why garbage runs every other week, while compostables and recyclables run every week.
| Service | Container / Set-Out | Typical Frequency | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage | Garbage cart | Every other week | 2026 calendar / Houses & Duplexes page |
| Food Scraps & Yard Waste | Green bin | Weekly | 2026 calendar / Food Scraps page |
| Recycling | Blue box, grey box, yellow bag | Weekly | 2026 calendar / Recycle It Right |
| Large Items | Scheduled pickup | As needed | Large Item Pickup page |
Burnaby separates recycling into different receptacles for houses and duplexes. Mixed containers go in the blue box, glass jars and bottles go in the grey box, and mixed paper goes in the yellow bag.
Burnaby Garbage, Green Bin, and Recycling Setup
Burnaby’s curbside system works best when each material stream stays separate. That helps avoid contamination and missed collection problems.
Garbage Cart
Green Bin
Recycling Set
Large Items
Burnaby’s recycling page also says to rinse containers, flatten boxes, and place the yellow bag between the grey and blue boxes instead of on top of them.
⭐ Easy Burnaby shortcut
If you remember only one setup rule, make it this: keep your garbage cart separate from the green bin and the three-part recycling set, with at least 1 metre of space around each group. That solves a lot of collection-day issues.
Burnaby Set-Out Rules
Burnaby’s collection rules are very specific about timing, spacing and cart direction. These details matter because crews collect from the lane or street side you normally use.
- Set out your garbage, green bin and recycling by 7 a.m. on collection day.
- Do not place containers out the night before collection.
- If you live in a designated bear area, set out bins between 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. only.
- Point the arrows on the lids toward the centre of the lane or street. The handles should face your property.
- Leave at least 1 metre (3 feet) of space on all sides and 3 metres (10 feet) of overhead clearance.
- Bring containers back in by 8 p.m. on your collection day.
Burnaby Large Item Pickup
Burnaby offers a separate large item pickup program for households that receive City curbside service. This is the right option for furniture, mattresses and appliances that do not belong in the regular curbside setup.
Common large items include:
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Appliances
- Other oversized household items accepted by the City program
- Check that your household is eligible. If your home receives City curbside collection, you can use the program.
- Know the item limit. Houses and duplexes can schedule up to 3 items per pick-up.
- Request pickup first. Use the city’s online form or call 604-294-7972.
- Wait for your appointment details. Burnaby says you will receive a date, time and pickup location.
- Bring your items to the assigned spot. Do not assume they should go out with regular weekly collection.
⭐ Burnaby resident advantage
Burnaby’s large-item program is easier than guessing whether a bulky piece belongs with garbage. If the item qualifies, booking a pickup is usually the cleanest and safest option.
Burnaby 2026 Holiday Trash Schedule
Burnaby’s official 2026 curbside schedule uses zone colours and calendar symbols to show statutory holiday changes. Because collection is zone-based, holiday impacts are not best explained as a single citywide weekday rule. The safest approach is to follow the exact marked dates for your colour zone.
| 2026 Holiday / Calendar Rule | Collection Impact |
|---|---|
| Stat holiday marked “No collection” | No curbside pickup on that marked holiday date |
| Matching “Collection day” marker | Use the shifted collection date shown on the official calendar for your zone |
| Residential Christmas tree collection | Eligible households can set trees out near the regular green-bin collection point from January 12–30, 2026 |
| Snow and ice disruptions | Burnaby says collection may be disrupted and advisories will be posted on the website, social media and the collection app |
Because Burnaby’s 2026 calendar is colour-zone based, it is better to check the official document than to rely on a generic holiday-delay rule.
What to Do If Burnaby Missed Your Pickup
Burnaby directs missed garbage, recycling, green bin and large-item questions to its Solid Waste and Recycling Division.
- Double-check your zone and week. Confirm whether it was a garbage week or only a green-bin and recycling week.
- Review the holiday or weather advisory. Stat holidays and snow conditions can shift or delay service.
- Confirm your set-out time and spacing. Containers should have been out by 7 a.m. and spaced properly.
- Call the Solid Waste and Recycling Division. Use 604-294-7972 for missed pickups, large items and damaged bins.
- Use the 24-hour information line for updates. Burnaby’s recorded information line is 604-294-7089.
Burnaby Eco-Centre and Extra Drop-Off Options
When curbside service is not enough, the Burnaby Eco-Centre is the main extra drop-off option for residents. It also provides replacement blue and grey boxes, yellow bags and other collection-related supplies.
Burnaby Eco-Centre
4855 Still Creek Drive. Open 7 days per week, generally from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check online for current hours.
Recycle It Right
Official sorting rules for blue box, grey box and yellow bag recycling
Food Scraps & Yard Waste
Weekly green-bin rules and accepted food scraps and yard materials
Solid Waste Contact Page
City contact details for missed pickups, damaged bins and recycling questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Burnaby Trash Pickup
How often is garbage collected in Burnaby for houses and duplexes?
Burnaby collects garbage every other week for houses and duplexes.
How often are recycling and green bin materials collected in Burnaby?
Recycling, food scraps and yard waste are collected every week.
What time should I put out my Burnaby bins?
Set out your materials by 7 a.m. on collection day and do not put them out the night before. In designated bear areas, set-out is between 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.
What recycling containers does Burnaby use?
For houses and duplexes, Burnaby uses a blue box for mixed containers, a grey box for glass jars and bottles, and a yellow bag for mixed paper.
How do I know whether it is a garbage week?
On the official 2026 calendar, if a “G” appears in your zone colour that week, garbage is collected along with green bin and recycling. If there is no “G”, only green bin and recycling are collected.
Can I schedule large item pickup in Burnaby?
Yes. Houses and duplexes can schedule up to 3 items per pickup using Burnaby’s online request form or by calling 604-294-7972.
How do Burnaby holiday changes work in 2026?
Burnaby uses a zone-based 2026 curbside calendar with symbols for statutory holidays and shifted collection days. Follow the exact marked dates for your zone.
When is Christmas tree collection in Burnaby?
Residential Christmas tree collection runs from January 12 to January 30, 2026 for eligible households with weekly City collection service.
Where can I get replacement recycling containers?
You can pick up replacement blue and grey boxes and yellow bags at the Burnaby Eco-Centre.
Who do I contact for a missed Burnaby pickup?
Call Burnaby Solid Waste and Recycling at 604-294-7972 or use the 24-hour information line at 604-294-7089.
Official Burnaby Trash Collection Resources
2026 Curbside Collection Calendar
Official Burnaby zone-based calendar for garbage, green bin and recycling
Houses & Duplexes
Main city page for single-family curbside service rules and reminders
Large Item Pickup
Schedule furniture, mattress and appliance pickups through the City
Eco-Centre
Drop off extra recyclables, yard trimmings and pick up replacement recycling containers
Recycle It Right
Sorting rules for mixed paper, mixed containers and glass jars and bottles
Solid Waste and Recycling Contact
Contact information for missed pickups, damaged bins and recycling support
Reminder: Burnaby’s 2026 service is zone-based, so always check the official calendar instead of assuming your garbage week from memory.