Snowbank and winter waste collection

August 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – Waste piled on top of or behind snowbanks is an added challenge for the collection crews in the winter months. With thousands of stops to make each day, crews cannot safely climb snowbanks to reach containers.  They are also unable to dig out any items that have been plowed in.  Green bins, blue boxes, garbage and Christmas trees need to be visible and accessible for collection. 

 

 Residents can help ensure materials are collected by:

 

  • Placing their green bin, recycling, garbage containers and Christmas trees at ground level at the end of the driveway, or

  • Shoveling out a ledge in the snowbank within easy reach of the road side.

 

 The special Christmas tree collection runs until January 16 on your regular garbage day.  Trees must be reachable from the street, not on top of or behind a snowbank.

Residents are encouraged to place all waste items so they are reachable from street level and to keep them visible by brushing snow off.  Please consider putting out items for 7 a.m. on your collection day rather than the evening before to prevent snow cover and possible freezing.   Also, please take a break from using the snow blower when collectors arrive and refrain from shoveling or blowing snow onto neighbours’ containers.  

For more information, please contact the waste management customer service at 519-575-4400 or visit our website at www.region.waterloo.on.ca/waste.

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Media Contact:

Cari Rastas Howard, Project Manager, Waste Management Programs 519-575-4400 ext. 8412 or CHoward@regionofwaterloo.ca

 

The Region of Waterloo provides more than 60 per cent of municipal services to a growing population of 550,000 people. We are committed to creating an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community through innovative leadership and a range of services such as: public health, social services, planning, heritage, water supply, regional roads, waste management, ambulance service, rural libraries, public transit, community housing, emergency planning, Provincial Offences Courts and airport services.