Medicine Hat Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: Collection Zones, Recycling, Yard Waste and Landfill Help
Medicine Hat garbage collection is zone-based. Your grey household waste cart, blue recycling cart and seasonal green yard-waste cart use the City’s 2026 collection calendar, but the fastest reliable answer is still your exact zone in the official calendar or Recycle Coach.
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This guide is built for residents searching “Medicine Hat trash pickup schedule,” “garbage collection near me,” “Medicine Hat garbage day,” “blue cart missed pickup,” “green cart season,” “holiday garbage schedule 2026,” and “landfill hours.” Each search intent is answered as a practical task, not just a phrase.
Quick Answer: Medicine Hat Garbage Pickup in 2026
Medicine Hat is divided into five residential waste collection zones. Your collection date is the date shown in your zone colour on the City’s 2026 Residential Waste Collection Calendar. Grey garbage and green organics carts are collected by the City of Medicine Hat; blue recycling carts are collected by GFL Environmental under the recycling program.
Household garbage
Use the grey cart for household waste that cannot be reused, recycled, composted or placed in the yard waste cart.
Recycling
Blue cart recycling is handled by GFL Environmental. Missed blue cart questions go to GFL, not the City’s grey-cart line.
Seasonal yard waste
In 2026, organics/yard waste collection runs in your zone between April 6 and November 20.
No stat pickup
There is no waste collection on statutory holidays recognized by the City, and the Waste Management Facility is also closed on those days.
Find Your Medicine Hat Trash Pickup Day by Zone
Do not use only your neighbourhood name. Zone boundaries run along the centre of streets, avenues and roads, so homes near a boundary can be easy to misread. The City’s map and Recycle Coach are the safest way to confirm your exact pickup dates.
- Open the City’s 2026 collection calendar and map. Match your home to Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
- Use your zone colour on the monthly calendar. Each coloured date is a pickup day for that zone.
- Confirm with Recycle Coach for reminders. Recycle Coach gives real-time schedules, day-before notifications and a “Report a Problem” feature.
- Separate missed pickup contacts. Grey garbage and green organics missed pickup go to Environmental Utilities; blue recycling missed pickup goes to GFL.
- Check statutory holidays. A red X/no-collection day is not a missed pickup.
| Zone colour | Calendar label | How to use it | Local boundary reminder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Zone 1 | Pick every yellow date in the 2026 calendar. | Common north / northeast areas; confirm exact street edge on map. |
| Red | Zone 2 | Pick every red date in the 2026 calendar. | Large west and central-west areas; boundary streets matter. |
| Green | Zone 3 | Pick every green date in the 2026 calendar. | Central / east of Division and Kingsway areas; use map before guessing. |
| Blue | Zone 4 | Pick every blue date in the 2026 calendar. | Southwest and south areas; check Sprague, Southridge and boundary roads. |
| Orange | Zone 5 | Pick every orange date in the 2026 calendar. | Southeast / Southlands side; confirm with official map or app. |
Medicine Hat 2026 Zone Date Finder
Use this tool after you know your zone. It lists the 2026 collection dates from the City calendar, flags statutory no-collection days, and reminds you when green yard waste is active.
Medicine Hat Holiday Trash Schedule 2026
The City calendar marks no waste collection on statutory holidays recognized by the City of Medicine Hat. The Waste Management Facility is also closed on those statutory holidays, so plan landfill, paint, e-waste, tire and HHW trips outside those dates.
| 2026 date | Holiday | Collection impact | Resident action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | New Year’s Day | No collection. | Use the next coloured date for your zone; do not treat Jan. 1 as a missed pickup. |
| Monday, Feb. 16 | Family Day | No collection. | Check the calendar because the zone sequence shifts after the holiday. |
| Friday, Apr. 3 | Good Friday | No collection. | Friday/weekend residents should verify their next zone date before set-out. |
| Monday, May 18 | Victoria Day | No collection. | Green yard-waste season is active; keep green cart home until your next zone date. |
| Wednesday, Jul. 1 | Canada Day | No collection. | Check the calendar before putting all three carts out. |
| Monday, Aug. 3 | Heritage Day | No collection. | Yard waste remains seasonal; use your next coloured date. |
| Monday, Sept. 7 | Labour Day | No collection. | Expect the sequence to continue on the next business day. |
| Wednesday, Sept. 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | No collection. | Check your zone colour; do not rely on a normal weekday habit. |
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Thanksgiving Day | No collection. | High-volume food packaging week: sort blue, grey and depot items carefully. |
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Remembrance Day | No collection. | Green cart season is nearing the end; verify your last yard-waste dates. |
| Friday, Dec. 25 | Christmas Day | No collection. | Hold carts and plan extra recycling through depots or your next zone date. |
| Monday, Dec. 28 | Boxing Day in lieu | No collection. | Year-end waste can be confusing; check calendar and landfill holiday hours. |
Do not assume “one day late” from another city. Medicine Hat publishes zone-coloured collection dates. Use the colour shown for your zone and treat red X/no-collection dates as closed service days.
Medicine Hat Cart Set-Out Rules: 7 a.m., Arrows, Space and Level Surface
A correct zone date can still fail if the carts are late, blocked, overloaded, contaminated, placed backwards or sitting too high above the roadway.
Successful pickup checklist
- Set carts out before 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
- Bring carts back onto private property within 24 hours after collection.
- Place carts at the curb or lane with arrows pointing toward the driving lane.
- Leave enough space so a person can comfortably walk around each cart.
- Place carts on a level surface no more than 150 mm, or 6 inches, above road elevation.
- Keep all waste inside the cart with the lid closed where possible.
- Use Recycle Coach for reminders and “what goes where” sorting.
Reasons carts are not collected
- Items left outside of the carts.
- Batteries, pressurized tanks or hazardous items in any cart.
- Yard waste in the blue recycling cart.
- Food or glass in the blue cart.
- Plastic-bagged yard waste in the green cart.
- Construction, demolition waste or HHW in the grey cart.
- Green cart set out outside the seasonal yard-waste window.
Older City collection guidance notes carts may be emptied any time between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The safe habit is to place carts out before 7 a.m. and wait until the route day has passed before reporting a miss.
Grey, Blue and Green Carts: Who Collects What?
Medicine Hat’s three-cart system is straightforward only when you separate the service provider and the material type. Grey and green are City collection issues. Blue recycling is GFL/Circular Materials collection.
| Cart | Collector / contact path | Accepted purpose | Common problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grey household waste cart | City of Medicine Hat Environmental Utilities — 403-529-8176 | Non-recyclable, non-compostable household waste intended for landfill disposal. | Hazardous waste, demolition material, e-waste, batteries and pressurized tanks do not belong here. |
| Blue recycling cart | GFL Environmental — 780-444-8805 or GFLresidentialrecycle@gflenv.com | Clean accepted recyclables such as paper, cardboard, cans and accepted plastics. | Glass, food, yard waste, organic waste and unsafe materials can ruin the load. |
| Green organic waste cart | City of Medicine Hat Environmental Utilities — 403-529-8176 | Seasonal yard waste only: grass, leaves, plant trimmings, weeds, flowers, twigs and small branches. | Food scraps, plastic bags, pet waste, rocks, soil, sod, concrete and garbage contaminate the cart. |
For grey garbage or green organics missed pickup, contact the City the following business day. For a missed blue recycling cart, contact GFL Environmental.
Medicine Hat Green Cart and Yard Waste Schedule 2026
Medicine Hat’s green cart is currently for yard waste materials only. In 2026, seasonal organic waste collection runs in assigned collection zones between April 6 and November 20, on the same day as household waste and recycling collection.
April 6 to November 20
Use the 2026 zone calendar to find your first and last green-cart dates. Cool temperatures can affect seasonal timing, so check City updates.
$50 one-time service fee
The City states residents with a grey household waste cart can request a green vented 95-gallon organic waste cart for a one-time service fee applied to the utility account.
Yard waste only
The standard green cart is for yard waste materials only. Do not put food scraps, pet waste, plastic bags or garbage in the green cart.
| Green cart item | Accepted? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Grass clippings, leaves, weeds, cut flowers | Yes | Place loosely in the cart, not in plastic bags. |
| Plant trimmings, twigs, branches and limbs | Yes, size-limited | Keep branches up to 2 inches / 5 cm in diameter and 3 ft / 1 m in length. |
| Tree stumps, rocks, soil, sod, concrete, brick | No | Use the Waste Management Facility or another approved route. |
| Diseased branches, noxious weeds, Elm tree wood | No | Do not put these in the green cart; confirm safe disposal with the City. |
| Pet waste, garbage, plastic plant pots, hoses, metal | No | Keep out of the green cart to prevent contamination. |
Medicine Hat Recycling: Blue Cart, GFL, Circular Materials and Bulk Depots
As of April 1, 2025, Medicine Hat’s residential recycling program is managed by Circular Materials, with GFL Environmental operating residential recycling collection. That means blue-cart service questions and missed recycling pickups should go to GFL first.
GFL Environmental
Call 780-444-8805 or email GFLresidentialrecycle@gflenv.com for missed blue cart recycling collection.
Circular Materials
Circular Materials is the recycling program manager. Residents may use Circular Materials as a secondary inquiry path when needed.
Depot, not blue cart
Glass is accepted at bulk recycling depots, but the City says glass should not be placed in blue residential recycling carts.
| Recycling location | Address | Hours / use | Accepted highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northlands Co-op Recycling Depot | 20 Northlands Way NE | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week | Newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard, tin/aluminum, plastics 1–7, glass. |
| Kipling Street Recycling Depot | 240 Kipling Street SE | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week | Oversized recyclables, glass and extra recycling that does not fit in the blue cart. |
| Medicine Hat Mall Recycling Depot | 3292 Dunmore Road SE | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week | Bulk depot recyclables; keep HHW, garbage and organics out. |
Waste Management Facility: Landfill, HHW, E-Waste, Paint, Used Oil and Bulky Items
Items not accepted in residential carts often belong at the Waste Management Facility. The City lists landfill, composting, electronic waste, tires, metals, used oil, paint and household hazardous waste drop-off on the official 2026 map.
Monday to Saturday
The Waste Management Facility is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and closed Sundays and statutory holidays.
403-527-1718
Call the landfill before hauling unusual loads, large paint volumes, appliances, bulky items or weather-sensitive material.
Confirm before loading
The 2026 rate brochure lists examples such as general sanitary waste by tonne, CFC appliances per item and bulky items such as mattresses or sofas per item.
| Item | Best Medicine Hat route | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | Waste Management Facility or Call2Recycle location | Batteries can spark fires or explosions in carts, trucks or landfill operations. |
| Propane tanks, fire extinguishers, compressed gas cylinders | Waste Management Facility HHW area | Never put pressurized tanks in garbage or recycling. |
| Paint, used oil, e-waste, tires | Waste Management Facility diversion/drop-off | These should not go in residential carts or recycling depots. |
| Mattress, sofa or bulky item | Waste Management Facility; fees may apply | Items left outside carts are not collected curbside. |
| Construction/demolition waste | Waste Management Facility or approved disposal | Construction and demolition materials do not belong in the grey cart. |
| Extra household waste outside cart | Waste Management Facility | Items left outside residential carts are not collected. |
Missed Pickup in Medicine Hat: Call the Right Collector
The biggest missed-pickup mistake is contacting the wrong collector. Blue recycling is not handled through the same path as grey garbage and green organics.
City Environmental Utilities
If your grey garbage cart or green organics cart was missed on your designated collection day, call 403-529-8176 or email eu@medicinehat.ca the following business day.
GFL Environmental
If your blue recycling cart was missed, contact GFL Environmental at 780-444-8805 or email GFLresidentialrecycle@gflenv.com.
Before reporting
- Was it your correct zone-coloured date?
- Was it a statutory holiday or no-collection day?
- Were carts out before 7 a.m.?
- Were carts spaced and arrows pointed toward the driving lane?
- Were items inside the cart, not beside it?
- Was the cart contaminated with rejected material?
- Was the green cart set out during the active seasonal window?
Common false misses
- Glass left in the blue cart.
- Yard waste outside the green cart.
- Batteries or tanks in carts.
- Extra bags or bulky items beside the cart.
- Green cart outside April 6 to November 20.
- Cart put out after the truck already passed.
Medicine Hat “Near Me” and Address Confusion
Search results can mix Medicine Hat city routes, Cypress County, Redcliff, private commercial bins and regional landfill pages. Use the correct system for your service address.
| Search meaning | Correct first step | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| Inside City of Medicine Hat with City carts | Use the 2026 City calendar, Recycle Coach and City/GFL contacts. | Do not use county or private dumpster rules. |
| Apartment, condo, business, construction site | Ask property manager, commercial service provider or City commercial waste contact. | Do not assume single-family cart rules apply to shared bins. |
| Nearby area outside city limits | Check the municipality, private hauler or regional transfer station serving the property. | Do not rely on the Medicine Hat zone colour map. |
Official Medicine Hat Links Residents Actually Need
Use the right official link for the task. The calendar answers “what date,” Recycle Coach helps with reminders, the recycling page explains blue-cart contacts, and the landfill page handles special disposal.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
Use these internal guides to compare Canadian cart systems, Alberta schedules, holiday logic, recycling contamination rules and landfill/drop-off decisions.
Search Intent Coverage Note
This guide is built around the real questions behind Medicine Hat trash pickup schedule 2026, Medicine Hat garbage collection, Medicine Hat garbage day, Recycle Coach Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat holiday garbage schedule, blue cart missed collection, GFL Medicine Hat recycling, Medicine Hat yard waste collection, green cart Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat landfill hours, Medicine Hat recycling depots, Medicine Hat what goes where, and garbage pickup near me. Each intent is answered with a section, table, tool, checklist, map, official link or FAQ rather than a raw keyword list.
Medicine Hat Trash Pickup FAQ
How do I find my Medicine Hat garbage pickup day?
Use the official 2026 Residential Waste Collection Calendar and match your address to Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Your pickup dates are the coloured dates for your zone. Recycle Coach can also provide reminders and real-time schedule information.
What time should carts be out in Medicine Hat?
Set each cart out before 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day and bring it back onto private property within 24 hours after collection.
Are grey, blue and green carts collected on the same day?
All three carts follow the same designated collection day when green yard waste is in season. Grey and green carts are collected by the City; blue recycling carts are collected by the contracted recycling provider.
Who do I call for a missed grey garbage cart?
For missed grey garbage or green organics collection, call City of Medicine Hat Environmental Utilities at 403-529-8176 or email eu@medicinehat.ca the following business day.
Who do I call for a missed blue recycling cart?
For missed blue recycling collection, contact GFL Environmental at 780-444-8805 or email GFLresidentialrecycle@gflenv.com.
What holidays have no Medicine Hat waste collection in 2026?
No-collection dates shown on the City calendar include New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Heritage Day, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in lieu.
When does Medicine Hat green cart collection run in 2026?
Organics/yard waste is collected seasonally in assigned zones between April 6 and November 20, 2026. The green cart is currently for yard waste materials only.
Can food scraps go in the Medicine Hat green cart?
No. The standard green organics cart is currently for yard waste materials only. Food scraps are not listed as accepted for the regular green cart program.
Can glass go in the blue recycling cart?
No. Glass should not be placed in blue residential recycling carts. Use one of the bulk recycling depots for glass.
Where are Medicine Hat bulk recycling depots?
The City lists depots at Northlands Co-op, 20 Northlands Way NE; Kipling Street, 240 Kipling Street SE; and Medicine Hat Mall, 3292 Dunmore Road SE. Depots are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Where do batteries and propane tanks go?
Batteries and pressurized tanks should not go in garbage or recycling carts. The City directs residents to bring these items to the Waste Management Facility or an approved battery recycling location.
What are the Medicine Hat landfill hours?
The Waste Management Facility is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and closed Sundays and statutory holidays. Call 403-527-1718 before hauling unusual loads.
Can I leave extra bags beside my cart?
No. The City’s 2026 calendar says items left outside the carts will not be collected. Take excess material or non-accepted items to the Waste Management Facility.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the City of Medicine Hat?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. For live route changes, official service decisions, fees, collection problems and program updates, use the City of Medicine Hat, Recycle Coach, GFL Environmental or Circular Materials official links.
Final Medicine Hat Resident Summary
For Medicine Hat trash pickup in 2026, start with your zone. Match your address to Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 on the official City map, then use the coloured dates on the 2026 calendar. Put carts out before 7 a.m., point the cart arrows toward the driving lane, leave room around each cart, and bring carts back onto private property within 24 hours.
Grey garbage and green yard-waste missed pickups go to the City at 403-529-8176 or eu@medicinehat.ca. Blue recycling missed pickups go to GFL at 780-444-8805 or GFLresidentialrecycle@gflenv.com. The green cart is seasonal from April 6 to November 20, 2026, and is for yard waste only. Batteries, pressurized tanks, paint, used oil, e-waste, tires, bulky items and hazardous materials should be routed to the Waste Management Facility or another approved program.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
Holiday calculator | Buck-A-Bag counter | Recycling checker
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Call (615) 794-1516 to confirm