Residential garbage within Medicine Hat is collected utilizing an automated garbage collection system. One roll-out cart is provided at no charge and all household garbage must be set out in your cart. Garbage is no longer collected from cans or bags (unless an exemption has been made). A serial number printed on the cart identifies it as belonging to your address, but it remains the property of the City. If you move, the cart must remain at the property.

For more information please refer to the following:

		Automated Garbage Collection Instructional Video (32mb)
		Managing Household Waste
		Automated Waste Collection
		Automated Waste Collection - Proper Cart Placement
		Dealing with Yard Waste Responsibly
		How to Convert A Garbage Can to a Rain Barrel
		Guide to Household and Yard Waste Collection

COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Residential garbage is collected once per week on a Monday thru Friday schedule.  To find out the garbage collection schedule and zone for your area click here.
Please Note: The collection schedules advances following each holiday.

Garbage must be set at the curb or the alley not later than 7:00 o’clock a.m. on the day designated for collection and must be returned to your property not later than 7:00 a.m. on the following day.

SET OUT STANDARDS
A Residential Waste Cart set out for collection shall:

1. be placed in such a manner that Automated Collection may occur without collectors being required to manually move the Residential Waste Cart in order to allow for pickup, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall:
   
   
1. in the case of premises serviced by rear lane pickup, be placed adjacent to the lane with clearances of at least 0.6 meters to the rear and 1 meter on each side of the cart;
2. in the case of premises serviced by front road curb side pickup, be placed on the roadway at the edge of the curb, with clearances of 1 meter on each side of the cart;
3. be placed on a level surface not more than 150mm above the road elevation; and
4. be placed so that it does not encroach on free traffic movement on any roadway.

For more information please refer to Solid Waste Utility Bylaw 1805

CART USE GUIDELINES

• Position the cart so that the arrows face the street / alley.
• Cart must be positioned (see proper cart setout) at the edge of the curb or alley
• There must be a clearance of 0.6 metres to the rear and 1 metre on each side of the cart. Do not block sidewalks.
• Do not overload the cart (limits as per the maximum load rating).
• Do not place garbage in plastic bags around or on top of the cart.
• Do not place hot ashes, flammable liquids, oil or grease, construction debris, auto parts, dirt or rocks in the cart.
• For yard waste disposal guidelines, click here.
• Remove the cart from curb or alley soon after emptying.
• Wash the cart periodically with soap and water.
• Keep the lid closed to keep odor and litter in and animals out.

CART PLACEMENT AND PARKING IN CUL-DE-SACS
Because of their shape and varying size, cul-de-sacs require specialized set out procedures for automated waste collection. If you live on a cul-de-sac please show consideration to your neighbours and park parallel to the curb or in the driveway on the day of service. The waste cart should be placed in an open area at the curb, not on the sidewalk in front of parked vehicles. When vehicles park “straight in,” it blocks garbage trucks, emergency units, and other vehicles from maneuvering.

Traffic Bylaw No. 2434, clause 19(b) states:
Angle parking in a cul-de-sac is prohibited between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day the City collects Residential Waste or Yard Waste from that cul-de-sac in accordance with Bylaw No. 1805.

DAMAGED OR STOLEN CART

• Report a damaged cart to Solid Waste Utility  
• provide name, address, daytime phone number, cart serial number, and description of damage
• Report a stolen cart to Solid Waste Utility
• provide the serial number of the stolen cart.
• Carts requiring repairs should be reported to the Solid Waste Utility for repair.
• Any carts that are stolen or damaged through neglect or misuse will be replaced at the property owners’ expense.

RECYCLE OLD CONTAINERS
Old garbage containers can be used around the house or yard for rain barrels, recycling containers or other storage needs. Containers (metal or plastic) that have been rinsed clean can be dropped off for recycling until December 21, 2009 to the Solid Waste Garage located at 1108 Industrial Avenue SE, or the Solid Waste Annex Building 773 - 16th Street S.W.

For more information please review the Automated Waste Collection brochure or contact the Automated Info Line at 403.529.8300 during business hours.