Curbside garbage collection

• Curbside garbage collection will continue as scheduled.
• Do not place waste loosely in garbage containers. Bag items before placing them in the garbage container, including:
  • used tissues, wipes, napkins, paper towels
  • used gloves and masks
• Please place COVID-19 rapid test kits in a sealed bag and then into a garbage container.
• If someone in your household is feeling unwell, bag any items that have been in contact with the mouth, nose or eyes before placing them into the garbage container. This includes items that you normally place into your Blue Box such as plastic bottles, pop cans and milk or juice containers.
• Please respect physical distancing with Sanitation and Recycling Operators and do not approach the vehicle.

Each household is limited to three containers for each collection day.

One container is equal to one garbage can (which may be filled with multiple bags), or one bag of garbage (following the accepted weight and dimensions). A container of garbage in the form of a bag or can must not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in weight. The container volume must not exceed 125 litres and must be at least 30 litres.

If a garbage can is being used, the garbage inside must not come above the rim of the can.  

Three-container exemption days

The three-container limit is not enforced on exemption days marked in the Collection Calendar. These three-container exemptions occur at the following times of year:

• Early September
• Collection following Christmas
• Collection following Easter
• Spring collection in late April/early May

You can drop off your Christmas tree and greenery at a City of London EnviroDepot. Please remove all of your decorations and lights from your tree before visiting.

If you have space, you can also store your tree in your backyard. Your tree will become a habitat for birds. Wait until spring and place your tree and greenery out for Yard Waste Collection in the new year (only trees up to three meters in height will be collected).

​​​​​Christmas trees are no longer collected at the curb. ​​​

Additional holiday recycling tips

1. Put gift wrap, ribbons, bows, and bags in the trash can. These items are not recyclable.
2. Break down, flatten and bundle your cardboard boxes or stack them flattened in your recycling bin.
3. Things like take-out coffee cups, milk cartons, and juice boxes belong with other recyclable containers, and not paper. Here's a tip to help you sort it right: If you can drink out of it, it's a container.
4. Avoid “Wishcycling.” Just because you “wish” you could recycle something, doesn’t mean you can. When in doubt, leave it out.
5. Download the Recycle Coach app to help answer what goes where in our recycling program. Recycle Coach also includes personalized collection calendars, information on London’s recycling program, and collection reminders all accessible from your phone or device. 

The Recycle Coach App can help answer questions about what goes where in our local waste and recycling program. 

Items that will not be collected with curbside garbage include:

• Construction and renovation materials such as drywall, fence boards, concrete, bricks, asphalt, bathtubs and cupboards.  
• Appliances and electronics
• Scrap metals such as propane tanks, barbeques, bicycle frames, tire rims, swing sets, fences posts and car parts.
• Paint and stains and any material that is corrosive, flammable, ignitable or reactive.  
• Needles - Please place your needles in a hard plastic container and contact your local pharmacy, the Middlesex London Health Unit (519-663-5317), or visit Health Steward website for information and locations on where to dispose them.
• Broken glass and sharp objects will be collected if properly prepared to protect collection staff: completely seal the pieces in a cardboard box and label as "Glass" or "Sharps" and set out with your garbage.  Do not put these items in your blue box.

Your garbage may not have been picked up for a number of reasons, including:

• It was not at the curb by 7 a.m. for collection
• Can or bag weighed more than 20 kg (44 lbs)
• Can was larger than 125 litres (33 US gallons) or bag was larger than 80 cm x 125 cm
• Can was smaller than 30 litres (8 US gallons) or bag was smaller than 65 cm x 90 cm
• It contained yard materials or other non-collectible items
• There were more than three containers and they did not have garbage tags affixed
• Garbage can lid did not detach from can or was tied down
• Garbage bags were placed on top of a garbage can
• Contents of garbage can extended above rim of can
• It was not placed on the curb (it was on private property)
• It was set out on a snow bank
• Mattresses or furniture was soiled or infested with bed bugs
• Two-piece toilets were not separated and sealed inside cardboard box labelled "caution sharp" for collection

Report a garbage issue

If you have more than three containers, you will need a garbage tag ($1.50 each, tax included) for each extra container at the curb. Or you can bring extra garbage to an EnviroDepot ($1.50 per bag). 

Garbage tags are available for purchase at these locations:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the locations of the sale of garbage tags is subject to change:

• Citi Plaza: 355 Wellington Street
• City Hall: 300 Dufferin Avenue
• Clarke Road South EnviroDepot: 28 Clarke Road
• Clarke Road North EnviroDepot: 21463 Clarke Road
• Oxford Street EnviroDepot: 1450 Oxford Street West
• Parking Office: 824 Dundas Street
• W12A Landfill & EnviroDepot: 3502 Manning Drive

Garbage tags do not expire and there are no refunds provided.

• Large items such as couches, sofa beds (remove mattress and tie springs down), mattresses and other furniture can be placed at the curb on your scheduled garbage collection day. Maximum 2 cubic metres per collection – which is roughly equivalent to one piece of large furniture such as a couch or two pieces of smaller furniture such as chairs and mattresses. 
• If furniture or mattresses are soiled or suspected to have bed bugs, the item must be wrapped and sealed tightly in a plastic mattress bag. Mattress bags are available for purchase at most self-storage locations.
• Carpet must be cut to 1 meter (39") lengths, rolled and tied in bundles.
• Propane tanks, appliances, tires, compact fluorescent light bulbs & tubes, televisions, computer monitors and other electronics are not collected at the curb.

The Recycle Coach App can help share recycling options and answer what goes where in our program. 

• Businesses are permitted to set out 12 garbage bags.
• Trade waste is not accepted.
• Place garbage at your collection point before 7 a.m. on the date fixed for collection but not before 6 p.m. the day before.
• Bags must weigh less than 20 kg or 44 lbs.

Your business is also permitted to set out curbside recycling if you are located on an existing residential collection route.  The limit of recyclables for businesses is 10 ‘lifts’ per collection.  One lift = one blue box, or one large see-through bag, or one bundle of corrugated cardboard. 

To determine if you are located on an existing collection route, please contact es@london.ca

Learn more about Core Area Garbage Collection