Garbage and Recycling at Your Home

Waste Management Calendar 

• Download the 2024 Waste Management Calendar

Where to purchase waste bins and garbage tags

• Visit the Garbage Tags and Bins page for details.

Recycle Coach App

To get the same great information and services regarding Richmond Hill’s waste collection programs and schedule, download the Recycle Coach app from the App Store or get it on Google Play.

• Recycle Coach app

Please Note: The link to the Recycle Coach app is provided for your convenience only. The Recycle Coach app is the property of Municipal Media Inc., and not of the City of Richmond Hill. The City of Richmond Hill bears no responsibility whatsoever for this product, including for its contents or its handling of any of your personal information. You may wish to review the app’s terms and privacy policy before downloading. Any questions regarding the Recycle Coach app should be directed to Municipal Media Inc.

• Recycling (blue box) - weekly collection
• Organics (green bin) - weekly collection
• Garbage and large items - collection every other week 
• Yard waste - every other week on garbage collection day (April 16 to October 11); weekly on your collection day (October 15 to December 13)
• Appliances - collected monthly by appointment only

When is my waste collected?

To find your collection week and day, use one of the following tools:

• Address lookup tool
• Waste Management Calendar
• Recycle Coach app 

Holiday collection

If your normal collection day occurs on a statutory holiday (with the exception of Boxing Day), your collection will be moved by one day during that week (for example from Thursday to Friday). Any regular collection days following this statutory holiday during that week will also be moved forward by one day. Please see the waste management calendar for specific dates or contact Access Richmond Hill for more information at 905-771-8800.

What goes where? 

If you aren't sure what goes where, you can use our search tool to find out:

• What Goes Where

Garbage is collected every other week and includes furniture and other large items.

Collection guidelines

• Limit of (3) three items each garbage day. A garbage item means a bag, garbage can (max. 125L/33gal), bundle (max. 1.2m/4ft) or a piece of furniture or other large item (max. 150lbs and/or 1.8m in length).
• The maximum weight is 18kgs/40lbs per item. This does not apply to furniture.
• Items above the three-item limit must have a garbage tag attached. Visit the Garbage Tags and Bins page for more details.
• Reusable containers with attached flip lids are not accepted.
• Sharp items (broken glass, ceramics, mirrors, etc.) must be boxed in cardboard and marked as "Glass for disposal".
• Tie loose items into bundles no longer than 1.2m/4ft.
• Garbage must be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection and no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before.
• Remove bins and uncollected material from the curb by 9 p.m. on collection day. Waste left at the curb after collection day is subject to fines.
• When complaints are received from the community about others leaving uncollected waste at the curb for long periods of time, City staff will investigate the property and provide the resident with an educational notice (in the form of a door hanger) noting that the waste must be removed from the curb immediately. If the resident does not comply within 48 hours, they could be subject to a fine of up to $100 for being in contravention of the City's Waste By-law. 

Furniture and large items are collected every other week with garbage. 

Collection guidelines

• Large items such as sofas, chairs, mattresses and toilets each count as one item toward the three-item garbage limit. Only set out these items on your garbage collection day. Consider donating items that are still in good condition to others in need or to charitable organizations.
• Items must not exceed 68kgs/150lbs in weight or 1.8m/6ft in length. Items that are over the weight or length limit must be disposed of at a waste depot. 
• Glass and mirrors must be securely wrapped in cardboard and marked as "Glass for disposal".
• For safety reasons, toilets set out at the curb must be separated into two pieces (tank and bowl) unless it is a one-piece toilet. If you are unable to separate a two-piece toilet, please dispose of it at a waste depot. 
• Anything not collected must be removed from the curb by 9 p.m. on collection day. 
• When complaints are received from the community about others leaving uncollected waste at the curb for long periods of time, City staff will investigate the property and provide the resident with an educational notice (in the form of a door hanger) noting that the waste must be removed from the curb immediately. If the resident does not comply within 48 hours, they could be subject to a fine of up to $100 for being in contravention of the City's Waste By-law. 

Recycling is collected weekly. 

Collection guidelines

• Empty and rinse all food containers to avoid contaminating other recyclables like paper.
• Put items loose inside your blue box, not in a plastic bag. Plastic bags are not accepted in the blue box and bagged recycling will not be collected.
• Cardboard must be broken down, flattened and tied in bundles with string (maximum size 60cmx60cmx30cm), and placed beside the blue box.
• Blue box recycling must be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection and no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before.
• Bins and any uncollected material must be removed from the curb by 9 p.m. on collection day.
• Flatten cardboard and tie in bundles that should be no larger than 60cmx60cmx30 cm.
• The maximum weight is 18kgs/40lbs per blue box. 
• Cardboard boxes and reusable containers with attached flip lids are not acceptable containers.
• There is no limit to the number of blue boxes or bundles of cardboard you set out.

For more information about the blue box program, including a list of all acceptable items, please visit York Region's website.

How to Reduce Wind-Blown Litter

• Put heavier items on top and do not overfill your blue box.
• Set out your blue boxes at the curb the morning of collection, instead of the night before.

Where can I get a blue box? 

Visit the Garbage Tags and Bins page to find out where you can buy a new blue box or exchange a broken/damaged City of Richmond Hill labelled blue box.

Organics is collected weekly.  

Collection guidelines

• Line your kitchen container with a compostable or plastic bag. Fill the lined kitchen container with organics. When full, tie the organics filled bag securely before putting it in your green bin.
• All organics must be bagged and put inside the green bin. It is recommended to use certified compostable bags in your green bin (look for the compostable logo) or paper bags as these are better options for the environment. Plastic bags are also accepted.
• The maximum weight is 18kg/40lbs per green bin and maximum green bin size is 12gal/45L.
• There is no limit to the number of green bins you can set out.
• Shredded paper is collected with organics. Please place in a transparent bag beside or on top of your green bin.
• Organics must be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection and no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before.
• Green bin must be removed from the curb by 9 p.m. on collection day.

Where can I get a green bin?

Visit the Garbage Tags and Bins page to find out where you can buy a new green bin or kitchen catcher, as well as exchange a broken/damaged City of Richmond Hill labelled green bin.

How to avoid pests

• Between collection days, store your green bin inside (e.g. in your garage or shed).
• Set your green bin out in the morning (by 7 a.m.) instead of the night before.
• Make sure all organic materials are bagged inside the green bin, and the lid is locked.
• If you store your green bin outside, you can use a short bungee cord to secure the lid. Please remove cords before placing your green bin at the curb.

Yard waste includes leaves, pine cones, fallen fruit, tree/shrub clippings, weeds, flowers, pumpkins, clean straw and dried corn stalks. Soil, sod and grass clippings are NOT ACCEPTED. 

2024 Yard Waste Collection Schedule

• April 16 to October 11 - Every other week on your garbage collection day*
• October 15 to December 13 - Weekly on your regular waste collection day

*If you live in the "blue zone" collection begins the week of April 16. If you live in the "yellow zone" it begins the week of April 23. Check the Waste Management Calendar to see what zone you're in.

Collection guidelines

• Yard waste must be placed at the curb no later than 7a.m. on the day of collection and no earlier than 6p.m. the night before.
• Yard waste must be set out in a large Kraft paper bag, cardboard box or in a reusable, rigid, open top container, such as a garbage can or bushel basket (max. 125L/33gal). No plastic bags.
• Place a yellow yard waste sticker on open-top reusable containers. Free stickers are available at Access Richmond Hill (225 East Beaver Creek Road) and at the Operations Center (1200 Elgin Mills Road East). 
• Bundle branches, sticks and twigs with twine (maximum length 1.2m/4ft and maximum diameter of 10cm/4in per branch).
• Each container, bag or bundle must not exceed 18 kg/40lbs.
• If yard waste has not been collected, it must be removed from the curb by 9p.m. on the collection day. It is against the City's Waste Bylaw to leave yard waste at the curb days prior to collection.

What goes where?

If you aren't sure what goes where, you can use one of the tools below to find out:

• What Goes Where
• Recycle Coach app

Drop off your yard waste

Richmond Hill residents can drop off their yard waste at the Bloomington Yard Waste Depot located at 1351 Bloomington Road, Richmond Hill. Visit york.ca/wastedepots for hours and fees.

Where to place your waste in winter 

On waste collection days, place your garbage, blue boxes, green bins and/or yard waste away from the curb on the right side of your driveway (if you're facing the house). This will allow our plows to clear the pile of snow from the bottom of your driveway without disturbing the waste.

Christmas trees will be collected on your regular waste collection day during the weeks of January 2 and 9, 2024. 

Collection guidelines:

• Maximum height per tree 2m/7ft.
• Remove all decorations and nails.
• Trees must not be bagged.
• Place trees at the curb by 7a.m.
• Ensure that trees are not frozen to the ground or on high snow banks. 

Richmond Hill residents can also drop off their Christmas tree at the Bloomington Yard Waste Depot located at 1351 Bloomington Road, Richmond Hill. Fees apply. Visit york.ca/wastedepots for details.

Household battery recycling

Used single use and rechargeable household batteries weighing 5kgs or less are accepted in the collection containers at Richmond Hill’s main Municipal Offices (225 East Beaver Creek Road), the Operations Centre (1200 Elgin Mills Road East) and all community centres and libraries except for Richvale Library, Centennial Pool and the Wave Pool. Cell phone and laptop batteries are also accepted. Used batteries can also be taken to York Region Waste Depots.

How to prepare your batteries for safe recycling:

1. Check for damage. Damaged or leaking batteries must be taken to a waste depot.

2. Tape terminal ends. Use tape to cover the terminal ends of all AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, rechargeable and 6 and 9 volt batteries. This helps to prevent them from short-circuiting and causing a fire.

3. Drop them off in a battery collection container. 

Electronic waste 

Electronic waste (e-waste) is any electronic equipment in your home that no longer works and cannot be repaired. E-waste is not collected through curbside pickup and should not be thrown in the garbage because these items contain hazardous materials and often have recyclable parts.

Find out how and where to dispose of e-waste.

Textile waste reduction

In Canada, 500,000 kilograms of clothing and other textiles are put in the garbage each year! The best way to limit the environmental impacts of clothing and other textiles is to make sustainable choices.

Learn how on our Textile Waste Reduction page

Single-use items are products and packaging designed to be used only once before they are discarded. Examples include disposable cutlery, straws, stir sticks, shopping bags, water bottles, Styrofoam and take-out containers.

Single-use items can negatively affect our natural environment. These items can often be avoided or replaced with more sustainable, reusable alternatives.

For more information and a list of reusable alternatives, visit the Reducing Single-Use Items page.

To make seasonal cleaning easier, we're offering Double-up Days! You can put out up to 6 garbage items during Double-Up Days, as opposed to the regular 3 items, without purchasing garbage tags. A garbage item means a bag, bundle, garbage can or piece of furniture. Please set out your items on your regular garbage collection day.

Use the colour zone map on page 1 of the Waste Management Calendar to determine which week applies to you.

2024 Spring Double-Up Days

• Blue zone: March 19-22
• Yellow zone: March 26-30

2024 Fall Double-Up Days

• Blue zone: September 17-20
• Yellow zone: September 24-27

During Curbside Giveaway Days residents are invited to place unwanted items, labelled FREE, at the curb for other residents and community members to browse and take for their own use, free of charge.

This is a great opportunity to declutter and find a new home for your unwanted items, while also picking up something you may want or need for free. 

2024 schedule

• June 22, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• July 27, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• August 24, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• September 21, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Anything remaining must be brought back inside by 5 p.m.

For more information, visit york.ca/curbsidegiveaway.

Illegal dumping