FAQs

• Automated collection will begin when the new automated collection carts are delivered to City of Duncan residents sometime in Spring 2025.  The City will publish an exact start date once it is known.

• The new automated collection system will reduce the risk of injuries to public works employees compared to manual collection.
• There are many additional benefits of automated collection:
  • All carts are provided by the City,
  • All carts have wheels for convenient transport,
  • The carts are significantly larger than previously allowed (100-120 litres vs 77 litres for garbage),
  • Yard and garden waste can be included in the green organics cart for weekly pick-up.

• No.  There are no changes to the City's collection schedule or collection routes.  The 2025 collection schedule continues to apply.

• The dimensions of the collection carts are still being finalized.  Cart dimensions will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.

• Your existing garbage, recycling, and/or organics containers are your property.  How you dispose of or repurpose them is up to you.  Some suggestions include:
  • Store refundable beverage containers or other items that go to the recycling depot (e.g. styrofoam),
  • Collect rainwater,
  • Store animal food,
  • Store yard equipment or materials,
  • Transporting soil or yard materials on your property.
• What other uses can you think of?

• Residents are asked to use the first 90 days with the new carts as a test to understand how much waste your household generates.  After 90 days, if you find the cart sizes aren't large enough for your household, you can request a second one or more carts (fees apply) by contacting the Public Works Department at 250-746-5321 or publicworks@duncan.ca

• Yes.  For a number of years, the City has had a contractor that picks up glass recycling from residences 10 times/year.  This service will continue, but glass may be picked up by Public Works staff or a contractor, depending on what is arranged by the City.
• The collection dates for glass in the 2025 collection schedule will not change.
• To be collected, glass must be clean, unbroken, and in a bin marked "glass."
• Glass bins must be placed on the property side of the sidewalk or curb in an accessible location (i.e. not behind a parked vehicle) and not obstructing the sidewalk.

• Yes!  You will now be able to put household organic waste together with garden waste in your new, larger green cart.  This mixing of household organics and garden waste is called "co-mingled organics."
• Garden waste means vegetation removed from gardens, lawns, shrubs, and trees.
• There are size limits for branches that can be picked up by the automated truck.

• Households with registered secondary suites will automatically receive two (2) sets of three (3) carts.

• In Spring 2025, a set of three new wheeled carts will be delivered to every residential household in the City.  The three carts will be: a blue recycling cart, a black garbage cart, and a green organics cart.  An information package with directions for properly setting out the carts on collection day will be delivered with the carts.  Residents should begin using their new carts on the date that will be indicated on the information package.

• The carts are owned by the City, but caring for the carts is the responsibility of each resident.

• Cart placement is very important because the automated truck's mechanical arm needs enough enough room to pick up and empty each cart.  To ensure that your material is picked up:
  • Set carts out at the curb by 7:30 am on your collection day
  • Ensure the lids are completely closed,
  • Place the carts so the arrows on the lid points towards the street,
  • Place cart wheels against the curb,
  • Space carts 3 feet (1 metre) apart from each other and other objects; this is approximately the distance of a person standing with both arms fully extended to each side,
  • Do not block sidewalks, roads, or bike lanes,
  • remove empty carts from the curbside after they have been serviced and no later than 10 pm on collection day.
• Please be aware: insufficiently spaced carts, overflowing carts, and material placed outside of the carts (except for extra garbage cans with a tag for extra collection) will not be collected.

• If you have no sidewalk or curb against which to place your carts, please place them at the end of your driveway, adjacent to the roadway.
• City staff will be addressing the problematic areas for cart placement before carts are delivered to residences to determine the most suitable areas for cart placement.  If it remains an issue or you are unsure where to place your cart, please contact the City at publicworks@duncan.ca and include your address and a photo(s) of where your driveway meets the roadway.

• Garbage can be placed loose or in a garbage bag.  Garbage bags must be closed/tied up so that they tip easily out of the cart and into the truck.  Garbage bags are preferred and better ensure that all materials will be tipped out of the cart by the mechanical arm.
• Recycling must be placed loose (not in bags), except for shredded paper, which must be secured in a paper bag or cardboard box (cereal box, shoe box).  Plastic bags of any kind are not accepted in recycling.
• Food waste can be placed in a compostable bag or paper bag or wrapped in newspaper.  If compostable bags are used, they must be certified as compostable with an appropriate logo on the box.
• yard waste can be placed loose or in a brown yard waste bag.

• No.  There is only one size available for each cart type.

• Each household can decide the best storage method for their home.  It is recommended to store them in a secure location within the property.  Carts should not be left at the curb overnight to avoid attracting wildlife or being damaged or stolen.  Many residents store the carts in a carport or along the side of the house.

• No.  All residents receiving City of Duncan solid waste collection services are required to use the new automated collection carts.  Only materials inside the provided carts, with the lid closed and properly placed at the curb, will be collected.
• There are two exceptions to this rule:

1) for occasional extra garbage pick-up, residents can purchase a garbage tag to put on their own garbage container and this will be manually picked-up, and 

2) glass can continue to be placed at the curb in residents' own container, clearly marked "glass" on designated glass collection dates.

• Yes.  The option to purchase garbage tags remains available for residents who need occasional extra collection.  To use this service, residents should place their extra garbage in their own plastic or metal container with a lid and put a garbage tag on the lit.  Garbage must be bagged (not loose) in these extra containers.  City workers will manually empty extra garbage containers with a garbage tag.

• There are a few things you can do to make your carts less attractive to wildlife:
  • Keep your carts clean with the lids closed,
  • Rinse recyclables before putting them in the cart,
  • if possible, store carts inside a shed or garage.

• If your cart goes missing, please contact Duncan Public Works Department (250-746-5321 or publicworks@duncan.ca).  The City will try to recover the cart using its serial number and electronic identification tag.  If the City cannot locate your cart, you may be responsible for the replacement cost, depending on the circumstances.

• If you move into a newly built home and there are no existing carts on the property, please contact Duncan Public Works Department (250-746-5321 or publicworks@duncan.ca) to request a new set and they will be delivered within 2 weeks.

• No.  Do not take your carts with you when you move.  carts are issued to specific addresses and should remain there for their lifecycle.  If you move, first wait to see if there are carts are your new residence.  If there are not, please contact Duncan Public Works Department (250-746-5321 or publicworks@duncan.ca) to request a new set and they will be delivered within 2 weeks.

• You may use a bike lock or something similar to secure your carts to a shed or structure between collection days.
• Please do not put locks on the cart lids or try to lock the lids shut.  The carts need to be able to open freely for collection by the truck and mechanical arm.  if you do choose to put a lock on your cart lid, it must be unlocked for collection day.
• Some residents use a bungee cord or similar tool to keep the lids closed if there is a specific concern.  These cords must be removed on collection days or the cart will not empty in the collection truck with the mechanical arm. 

• Carts are property of the City, but the responsibility of residents.  If a cart is damaged as a result of manufacturer's defect, contact Public Works for review at publicworks@duncan.ca or 250-746-5321.
• If it is determined that your cart is damaged as a result of neglect or abuse, you may be responsible for the replacement cost.
• If your cart is lost or stolen, the City will try to recover it using the serial number and electronic identification tag.  If the City cannot locate your cart, your household will be responsible for the replacement cost depending on the circumstances.

• The carts are equipped with large wheels with a stable base, designed for easy maneuverability, even when placed completely filled.
• Special additional assistance may be considered in rare circumstances.  Apply to Public Works at publicworks@duncan.ca or 250-746-5321 and know that a medical supporting letter may be required.