What’s changing:
- Mailed reminders: In late February 2026, all curbside households will receive a letter reminding them to check their updated collection schedule using the online collection calendar.
- Collection day changes: Approximately 50 per cent of curbside households will see a change to their collection day or weekly set-out schedule as of March 30, 2026. New collection schedules can be found at Garbage, recycling and organic waste | City of Ottawa
- Leaf and yard waste: Residents will now be required to set leaf and yard waste out separately from the green bin (in paper yard bags or an acceptable reusable container clearly marked “leaf and yard waste”) to support cost‑effective processing.
What’s not changing:
- Collection frequency: Green bin and leaf and yard waste will continue weekly, and garbage will continue every two weeks.
- Holiday push days: Holiday “push days” will continue. The first two weeks of the new contract include: Good Friday (April 3): Friday collection will be pushed to Saturday. Easter Monday (April 6): City-wide collection will shift by one day for the week.
To help ease the transition to new curbside collection schedules, the City will allow each curbside household to place up to six garbage items at the curb on their new scheduled collection day between March 30 and April 24, 2026. Residents are reminded to continue using all waste diversion programs, including the green bin and recycling, during and after this transition.
Upcoming 4‑week schedule for Somerset Ward:
Monday, March 30, 2026 – Blue bin, Garbage, Green bin, Yard trimmings
Monday, April 6, 2026 – No collection (Easter Monday)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Black bin, Green bin, Yard trimmings
Monday, April 13, 2026 – Blue bin, Garbage, Green bin, Yard trimmings
Monday, April 27, 2026 – Blue bin, Garbage, Green bin, Yard trimmings
