Region-issued black garbage cart

• The large black cart has a capacity of 240 litres, and a weight limit of 200 pounds (90 kilograms).
• The small black cart has a capacity of 120 litres, and a weight limit of 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
• You can fill your cart up to the maximum weight capacity, but the lid needs to be fully closed for collection. Keep items off of your cart lid.
• Residents are asked to use the black cart they receive for about six months. If, after that time, you want to size up or down, you can request a one-time exchange, at no cost, starting in fall 2026.  More details to come about this program.

Use the Waste Whiz app to access the waste sorting tool and learn more about what can get collected in the black garbage carts, including:

• Personal hygiene/sanitary products
• Flushable and disposable wipes
• Furnace filters, garden hose
• Dryer lint, cotton swabs, and dental floss
• Broken, sharp objects (sealed in a box)
• Compostable take-out containers 

Each extra garbage bag set out for collection that is outside of the black cart needs to have a Region of Waterloo garbage tag on it in order to be collected. Tagged bags of extra garbage will not be collected without a black cart present. 

How to use garbage tags:

Tie your garbage bag closed. Remove the tag from the backing and wrap it around the neck of the garbage bag, sticking tag ends together. Do not use the tag to seal the bag.

Extra garbage bags placed at the curb will not be collected if they are put inside a garbage can. Please set out tagged garbage bags only.

Garbage bag tags cannot be used on bulky items.

Please note that as of March 2, 2026, bag limits no longer apply. 

Garbage tags are available for purchase online or at a vendor location. Tags do not have an expiry date. There is no refund for unused tags.