What Goes Where?

Here are some general guidelines for what goes in each cart. You can also use our Waste Guide page to search for specific materials.

Blue Cart

Recycling in cart to be clean and loose except for shredded paper and packing peanuts, which need to be tied in a clear plastic bag.

  • Glass containers, clear and coloured. Empty with lids and caps off (labels do not have to be removed). Accepted materials include food containers, jars, bottles, cosmetic containers, spice bottles, oil and vinegar bottles.
  • Non-refundable tetra paks/cartons. Empty with lids and caps on.  Accepted materials include molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, soup and sauce cartons.
  • Mixed paper.  Place shredded paper in a tied clear plastic bag.  Separate paper from plastic bags and remove elastic bands.  Remove fabric handles from bags, DO NOT include soft or hard covered books. Accepted materials include any colour paper including flour bags, prescription bags, notepads, white or coloured loose paper, file folders, printed materials, newspapers, flyers, brochures, magazines, greeting cards, envelopes, and gift bags.
  • Paper laminate containers and packaging. Accepted materials include empty pet food bags, food service bags and paper plates. Spiral cans, cookie dough containers, ice cream containers, hot and cold beverage cups.
  • Cardboard and boxboard. Clean, empty, flattened, and broken down. Accepted materials include boxes, pizza boxes, cereal boxes, egg cartons, rolls from toilet paper and paper towel.
  • Plastic containers. Empty with lids and caps on. Accepted materials include household jugs and bottles, food trays, bakery and egg containers, plastic cups, lids, deodorant, toothpaste and lotion tubes, small item packaging, and plant pots.
  • Flexible plastic packaging. Empty and clean. Accepted materials include bags used for dry cleaning, bread, overwraps from paper or beverage products, coffee bags, deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, and cereal liner bags.
  • Metal and aluminum (labels do not have to be removed). Empty, rinsed and dry, ball up aluminum foil.  Accepted materials include food cans, metal lids, coffee tins, aluminum foil, pie plates, and food trays.
  • Foam packing. Empty and clean, remove film wrap and absorbent pads from meat trays and dispose of in the garbage. Accepted materials include meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls, foam packaging (TV/appliance, etc.).  Place packing peanuts in a tied clear plastic bag.
  • Aerosol containers. Empty with lids and caps on.  Food and personal hygiene aerosols only, accepted materials include food spray, whipping cream, hairspray, air fresheners, shaving cream and deodorant.  Full aerosols, cleaners, spray paint are to be dropped off at a household hazardous waste collection.
  • Refundable containers are accepted, but it would be best to bring those to a bottle depot

Black Cart

Waste in cart to be Bagged

  • Household garbage
  • Plastic mesh bags
  • Plastic cutlery, plates, straws, and bread bag tags
  • Personal hygiene products and diapers

Green Cart

Organics in cart to be loose or bagged in paper or compostable bags

  • All food and table scraps, including meat, bones, tea bags, coffee grounds, grease, dairy, wet and dry foods (all packaging and stickers removed)
  • Fats, oils, and grease
  • Yard waste (e.g. grass clippings, branches less than 6" in diameter, leaves, plants)
  • Soiled napkins, paper towels, paper plates, paper food containers without a waxy or plastic liner (e.g. soiled pizza boxes, paper fast food packaging) and compostable beverage cups
  • Pet waste tied in compostable bags (e.g. dog waste, cat litter, organic animal bedding, such as wood shavings, paper, or straw)
  • Other (e.g. pet fur, hair, feathers, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, ashes)

Transfer Site

The following items can’t be placed in your cart, but can still be taken to the Langdon Transfer Site:

  • Household hazardous waste (e.g. aerosol cans, propane tanks, cleaning chemicals, flammable, combustible or oxidizing materials)
  • Sharp items unless properly contained in a puncture resistant receptacle or packaging before being placed in a garbage cart
  • Motor oil, oil filters, and oil containers
  • Trees, tree stumps, logs, land-clearing debris, and fence posts more than 100 mm in diameter
  • Small amounts of construction waste
  • Light bulbs, including fluorescent tubes
  • Electronics and large appliances 
  • Christmas trees
  • Clothing, books, and household goods for donation
  • Household and automotive batteries