Curbside Recycling

• What is Accepted in Curbside Recycling

  Accepted Items for curbside recycling include:

  • Paper products - newspapers, flyers, magazines, catalogues, telephone books, office paper, paper bags, envelopes, paper gift wrap, greeting cards, and shredded paper (secured in a paper bag or box)
  • Cardboard products - carboard and boxboard boxes
  • Plastic Products - remove caps and rinse clean. This includes plastic straws, stir sticks, plastic utensils, plastic hangers, rigid plastic packaging for toys etc.
  • Cartons and paper cups - dairy, cream, broth, sauces, frozen dessert boxes for ice cream, frozen yogurt, coated paper plates and bowls etc.
  • Aluminum containers - cans, lids, aluminum foil, pie lates, single use baking trays, aluminum take-out containers etc.
  • Steel containers - cans and lids for food, pet food, metal spray containers, cookie tins

   For a full and complete list of accepted materials for curbside recycling check out Recycle BC's easy lookup tool here: What Can I Recycle? - Recycle BC

  Download and print off the full material list here.

  Items not accepted for curbside recycling include:

  • Containers with food or liquid inside 
  • Plastic Bags, included recyclables secured inside blue plastic bags
  • Scrap metal, wood, broken glass, ceramics
  • Shredded paper unsecured - must be secured in a paper bag or box
  •  Clothing and textiles
  • Hard cover books
  • Hazardous material container with contents inside

  For a printable list of what may NOT be placed in curbside recycling, click here.

• 2025 Project to Reduce Contaminants in Recycling

  Recycle BC has notified the Town of Osoyoos that the level of contamination in our curbside recycling is unacceptably high and non-compliant with the service contract. A plan to reduce the level of contamination has been developed, and Town staff will be implementing the plan over the remainder of 2025.

  Recycle BC wishes to achieve an overall contaminant rate of less than 5%. In recent audits of mixed curbside recycling, the Town’s contamination rate was between 8% and 15%.

  The highest percentage of contaminants in Osoyoos are:

  • hard and soft cover books
  • ceramics
  • scrap metal 
  • textiles

  In accordance with contract requirements, the Town must reduce recycling contaminants before the  end of 2025. Elements of the plan include:

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  • promotion and public education
  • training of recycling collectors
  • enforcement (audits and feedback)
  • data tracking, and reporting to Recycle BC

  Between May and December 2025, you may see Town of Osoyoos staff conducting audits of your recycling. If contaminants are found, you will receive a notice at your door describing the kinds of contaminants that may not be placed in curbside recycling. 

Residential Curbside Cart Program

• Cart Change-outs

  We encourage you to try using your current carts before requesting a replacement. To maximize space in your garbage cart, use smaller bags that trap less air. Place recyclable items loosely in your recycling bin (please note that plastic bags are not accepted). 

  If the standard cart is still not fitting your needs fill out a cart change-out form to request a size change or add an additional cart. A $45.00 delivery fee will be charged each time a cart change-out is requested.

  If you occasionally have extra garbage, you can purchase a tag-a-bag sticker from Town Hall. Place the sticker on the top of a bag or can (maximum 55lbs) at your collection point.

  Cart change-out options (monthly fees will be included in your quarterly utility bill)

  240L garbage cart	$5.00/month
  Add 1x240L recycling cart	$5.00/month
  downgrade to 120L  yard waste cart	No extra cost

  If you don't require a yard waste cart or would like to downsize your cart, complete a change-out form. There is no discount for removing or downsizing your cart.

  Fill out a cart change-out form here and return the form with your change-out fee to Town Hall.

• Setting Carts out for Collection

  Be sure that the weight of your carts is under the following limits, or collection will not occur:

  • 120L cart - 50kg (110lbs)

  • 240L cart - 100kg (220lbs)

  • Tag-a-bag - 25 kg (55lbs)

  Place your carts so the arrows on the lid point towards the street and the wheels are against the curb.

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  There should be a 1-metre (3ft) space on the sides of each bin. Make sure there is a 3-metre (10ft) clearance above your cart.

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• Frequently Asked Questions

  Why is the Town moving to carts for garbage and yard waste?

  Our existing contract with Waste Connections is expiring. To obtain the best possible pricing for our residents, we joined the regional program which includes the RDOS and other municipalities within the area. 

  Why do we have to get garbage and yard waste carts?

  Waste collection companies have been changing their business model to carts over the past few years to reduce overall costs and ultimately the contract price they offer municipalities. The cart system is also much safer for their operators. 

  May I opt out of the Residential Curbside Cart Collection program? 

  No, all eligible households will be transitioning to Curbside Cart Collection.

  I don’t require a yard waste cart, do I have to keep it? 

  No. If you do not require a yard waste cart, simply fill in the “Cart Change Out Form” and let us know your wishes. There is no additional fee associated with choosing not to have a yard waste cart. Your utility bill will not change from the standard if you choose not to have a yard waste cart.

  What happens if my household conditions change, and I need to change my cart needs after May 30, 2025?

  You can change your cart selection at any time; however, there will be a delivery fee of $45.00 each time a cart change-out is requested.

  When will the new carts be delivered?

  The estimated delivery is early December, 2025.

  When will I start paying for the carts I added to the standard cart package?

  You will get billed on your quarterly utility bills starting January 1, 2026.

  Will the waste collection frequency change once cart collection starts?

  No, garbage will still be collected weekly, and recycling and yard waste will alternate weeks.

  I have a long or steep driveway, am I supposed to move the carts every week?

  Carts may be kept at the end of your driveway on your property, to be rolled to the collection point and filled with waste on the morning of your collection day.

  I don’t generate a lot of waste, is there an option for me?

  Yes, there is an option in the Cart Change-Out form to downsize your yard waste cart. You may also choose to not have a Yard Waste Cart. There is no smaller option (120 litres) for a Garbage Cart. 

  My household produces a lot of yard waste, am I restricted to the size of the cart?

  For those that generate a lot of yard waste, you can purchase a tag-a-bag sticker from Town Hall. One sticker is good for one kraft bag of yard waste. Bins will not be accepted. Alternatively there will be unlimited yard waste collection dates during periods of high accumulation, such as the spring and fall, when yard waste in paper bags will also be accepted.

  What about food scraps? Will the Town of Osoyoos start collecting them at the curb?

  Not at this time. Do not put food scraps in your yard waste bin. Food scraps belong in the garbage or in your personal composter.

  I currently rent a cart from Waste Connections for yard waste and/or garbage and/or another recycling cart, what do I do?

  Waste Connections will be arranging to pickup their carts in the new year (2026). Make sure your rented carts are emptied (final yard waste in December 9, 2025) and switch to the town issued carts so the rented carts are ready to be picked up. Any questions regarding rented carts should be directed to Waste Connections at 250.498.4888.

  I have an extra garbage cart that I am renting, can I put out two carts until Waste Connections picks up my rented cart?

  No, they will only pick up one cart. We recommend emptying your rented carts no later than January 6, 2025 so they are ready for Waste Connections to pickup.

  What happens if I own my own cart, can I continue to use my cart for garbage pick-up?

  No, once the Town starts the program you will no longer be able to use carts that are not Town issued. Residents who own existing carts can repurpose their carts for things like storing firewood, composting, or storing recyclables to take to the depot.

Bi-annual Unlimited Yard Waste Pickup

Large Item Collection

• Non-Accepted Items

  Not accepted items include:

  • Non-tempered glass (mirrors, tabletops)
  • Electronics (TVs, computers), or other small plug-in items (vacuums, carpet cleaners, fans, lamps etc.)
  • Small appliances (toasters, microwaves) — please take these to the Bottle Depot
  • Appliances containing Freon (fridges, freezers, air conditioners) 
  • Renovation or demolition waste (room carpet and underlay, toilets, bathtubs, plumbing fixtures, doors, kitchen cabinets) 
  • Hot tubs or lids, hot water tanks, flooring, heat pumps, or furnaces
  • Gas, battery or electric powered equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, power tools, garage door openers
  • Concrete items (blocks, fountains, lawn or garden ornaments) 
• Large Item Collection Guidelines

  Each household may place up to two (2) large items at the curb on collection day.

  Maximum weight: 90 kg (200 lbs) per item

  Items must be out at the place of collection by 7:00 AM on the date of large item collection. Pickup may occur over a couple days depending on volume.