Garbage 101

Separate Your Waste

• Blue Bag Recycling: Items to be recycled go in blue garbage bags that can be purchased in the garbage bag section of the supermarket. Recycled items include glass, cans, plastics and cartons. Go to the HRM recycling webpage to learn more.
• Paper Recycling: Newspaper and dry, clean paper can also go out for recycling every week. Paper must be placed in a separate grocery bag or clear garbage bag. 
• Green Cart Composting: All your organic waste, including food waste, cereal boxes and paper towels, go in your green cart or compost bin. Go to the HRM green cart webpage to learn more.
• Garbage: Any waste you can't recycle or compost is garbage. It goes in a black, green or brown garbage bag. Go to the HRM garbage webpage to learn more.
• Household Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste, including batteries, paint and motor oil, must be taken to a household hazardous waste disposal depot. Go to the HRM hazardous waste webpage to learn more.

Collection Day and Schedules

• Garbage is collected one week and Green Cart the following week.
• Ask your neighbours which day garbage is collected on your street or check and print out the collection schedule provided on the HRM website. The downtown and peninsular area of Halifax is listed as Area 1.
• Download the Halifax Recycles App to set reminders and find out what goes where.

All unpacked?

Please do not leave empty corrugated cardboard boxes piled up on the sidewalk. Your empty cardboard boxes must be flattened, cut into armload sizes and tied in bundles for collection. The cardboard must be kept dry until placed at the curb on collection day.