Departments > Engineering > Civic Services > Garbage and Recycling

The City of Victoria provides weekly backyard garbage collection service. Victoria is divided into five collection zones. You can look up your zone colour on the colour-coded Garbage Collection Map below.

• Garbage Collection Map - [PDF 560KB]

You can also find out your collection zone colour by contacting Public Works at (250) 361-0400.

Garbage Collection Schedule

Victoria residents will receive a copy of their 2010 Garbage Collection Schedule by mail in mid-November. Please keep this schedule handy as your garbage collection day changes throughout the year when statutory holidays occur.

If you do not receive a schedule and would like one, please contact Public Works at (250) 361-0400.

You can also look up your garbage collection day online. Once you know your zone colour, you can view your Garbage Collection Schedule by opening the appropriate link below:

• 2010 Garbage Collection Schedules
  • Blue - [PDF 91KB]
  • Green - [PDF 476KB]
  • Orange - [PDF 468KB]
  • Pink - [PDF 457KB]
  • Yellow - [PDF 470KB]

To view these documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free from here.

What You Need to Know

The following information is designed to answer questions you may have about residential garbage collection in Victoria. Much of this information is also included on your 2010 Garbage Collection Schedule.

Garbage Cans

• Garbage cans must be made of galvanized steel or rigid plastic, have two handles and a water tight, removable lid.
• Maximum size: 100 litres (22 gallons)
• Maximum weight: 25 kilograms (55 pounds) when full
• Wheeled containers are not permitted.

Garbage Preparation Tips

• Please have your garbage accessible by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
• Bathroom and pet waste, dust, sawdust, and cold ashes must be bagged in your container.
• Broken glass must be wrapped or boxed, clearly marked and kept outside of your garbage can.
• Cans cannot be filled more than 5 centimetres (2 inches) from the top.
• Maintain safe access to garbage cans. Trim foliage and remove moss from driveways and sidewalks and keep driveways clear of vehicles.
• Clear a path free of snow and ice to prevent injury to your collector.
• Garbage enclosures must have a door(s) so cans can be slid out for easy lifting.
• Safely secure dogs away from garbage cans or keep them indoors on collection day.
• In the event of snow, garbage collection may be interrupted and will occur on the next available day.

Extra Garbage

• An Extra Garbage Ticket must be attached to each additional can or garbage bag to be collected.
• Tickets are $3.50 and are available at the Public Service Centre at Victoria City Hall, the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, and at the City’s five parkades (Centennial Square, Bastion Square, Yates Street, Broughton Street and View Street).
• Collection crews do not sell tickets.
• Additional garbage bags must weigh less than 15 kilograms (33 pounds).

Not Accepted

• Hypodermic needles or syringes are not accepted. Some pharmacies accept these items in puncture proof containers. You can also contact the Mobile Needle Exchange at (250) 896-2849.
• Yard and garden waste is banned from garbage at the Hartland Landfill and will not be collected.

Garbage and Garden Waste Drop-off

City of Victoria residents can drop off their garbage and garden waste, year-round at the Public Works Yard at 417 Garbally Road, Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Proof of residency is required in the form of a valid driver’s licence. This service is not for commercial use. For more information, call (250) 361-0400.

Garbage Drop-off Rates:

Garbage bag: $3
Car (trunk load): $15
SUV/Van: $23
Pick-up truck (level box): $34
One tonne of garbage: $128

Maximum Vehicle size: 3/4 tonne pick-up truck
Maximum Trailer size: single axle utility trailer

Garbage not accepted: drywall, cardboard, and metal appliances such as microwave ovens, fridges, stoves (white goods), tires, and paper.

Garden Waste

Residents can drop off their garden waste for free at the Public Works Yard.

Accepted: leaves, branches, vines, grass and compost
Not accepted: rocks, stumps, or branches greater than 1.8 metres (6 feet) in length or 50 millimetres (2 inches) in diameter

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes any leftover household product that is marked flammable, corrosive, explosive or poison, such as paints, varnishes, pesticides, cleaners, and batteries. HHW is dangerous to people, pets and the environment, and if placed in the garbage, can create environmental and public health hazards.

You can dispose of your household hazardous waste at the Hartland Landfill's recycling area free of charge. To learn more, please see CRD's Waste Management section.

Victoria residents can also drop off their household hazardous waste free of charge at Ellice Recycling, 524 David Street, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Please contact the CRD Hotline at (250) 360-3030 for details on quantity limits and material restrictions.

Not All Waste is Garbage

Recycling

Curbside recycling service is provided to Victoria residents by the Capital Regional District (CRD). For more information, visit CRD Blue Box Program.

To find out where to go to recycle items that are not accepted by the curbside blue box program, visit the CRD’s Online Recycling Directory.

Or contact the CRD Hotline at (250) 360-3030 or email hotline@crd.bc.ca.

For any other recycling information, contact the Recycling Council of BC Hotline at 1 (800) 667-4321.

Composting

Much of your household waste can be composted. Below are two services that can help you reduce your impact on the environment.

City of Victoria Leaf and Branch Pick-up
(250) 361-0600

Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre
(250) 386-9676

Annual December Food Drive

Help support those in need in your community by participating in the City’s Annual Public Works Food Drive.

On your designated day in December, remember to include a bag of non-perishable food items labelled “FOOD DRIVE” next to your garbage can. Donations will be delivered daily to the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

Contact Us

For more information, or if your garbage was not picked up on collection day, call (250) 361-0400.

Service Request

We are committed to providing quality service to residents and businesses of the City of Victoria in the most efficient manner. If you have a service request, a question, or a comment, please make an online submission. We will attend to it as soon as possible.

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