Residential Collection Schedule
There are five designated solid waste collection zones in Kamloops. View the zone boundaries map here.
Garbage and recycling are collected every other week on an alternating basis, and organics is collected weekly*. This is a common model in communities with organics collection. Did you know 42% of residential garbage is organic waste that can be composted? Learn more about the residential organic waste collection program.
*Between March 1 and November 30, organics will be collected weekly.
*Between December 1 to February 28/29, organics will be collected biweekly, on garbage collection days.
Think about what recyclable items can stay out of the garbage:
- Excess curbside recyclables (cardboard, paper, plastic containers, and metal containers) are accepted at specified drop-off depots.
- Glass, Styrofoam and foam packaging, lightbulbs, and flexible plastics are all items that are accepted at specified drop-off depots. Flexible plastics include plastic bags, plastic overwrap on flats of beverages or paper towel rolls, crinkly wrappers (e.g. pasta, chip, candy), zipper lock or stand-up pouches (e.g. dried fruit, nuts, frozen foods), and woven net bags.
- Textiles are very bulky and can be recycled. If you need to discard any old clothing, shoes, towels, blankets, sheets, or curtains, find a textile recycling bin at Kamloops.ca/Textiles.
- Hard and soft cover books can be dropped off at one of two new book recycling locations. Find details at Kamloops.ca/BookRecycling.
Managing cardboard:
- Cardboard that is not fully broken down is bulky and takes up unnecessary space in the recycling cart. Flatten small boxes and cut or rip large cardboard into magazine-sized pieces. Large cardboard panels can also be taken to a depot.
- Cardboard may be used in the organics cart. Use pieces of cardboard to line the bottom and sides and as layers within the cart. This will help absorb moisture in the cart and will help prevent material from sticking or freezing to the sides.
- Download the free Waste Wise app or use it at Kamloops.ca/WasteWise to look up what goes where.
For tips to help prevent material from sticking or freezing in your organics cart, visit Kamloops.ca/Organics
Solid Waste Collection Schedules
Residents are reminded that under the City’s Solid Waste and Recyclables Bylaw No.40-67, carts are to be placed at the curb by 7:00 am on designated collection days (and no earlier than 4:00 am between April 1 and November 30) and removed from the curb by 7:00 pm. Please observe Bear Smart guidelines when applicable.
How to Place Your Carts
- During the winter, place carts in an area free of ice and on the road side of snow piles and windrows. View our video below!
- Carts are to be placed at curbside by 7:00 am on collection day.
- Cart lids must be completely closed for pickup. Do not overfill containers or compress items. Cut down large cardboard pieces.
- Carts must be kept clean.
- Secure all carts on private property on non-collection days.
- During Bear Smart Season (April 1–November 30), do not set carts out before 4:00 am and do not accumulate bear attractants (Bylaw No. 40-67).
- For damaged and missing carts, please call 250-828-3461.
Dual Pass System
In a dual pass (or two-pass) system, two trucks pass by to collect the two different solid waste carts (versus one truck collecting two waste streams separated by a divider). In a dual pass system, there is less risk of cross-contamination in the loads (i.e. garbage ending up in an organics load) and less wear and tear on the trucks. In the dual pass system, both carts will be tipped on collection day, but they may be collected at different times.
Carts Not Collected?
Waste may not be collected if:
- Carts were not set out by 7:00 am on collection day.
- Carts were placed too close to obstacles such as parked cars, fences, trees, overgrown vegetation, or other carts.
- Carts were overfull and the lid was not fully closed.
- Carts contained unaccepted items. Not sure what goes where? Use our Waste Wise app.
How and when to report if your waste was not collected:
- If your carts were NOT set out on time and therefore not collected at the time the operator was on your street, you can call 250-828-3461 before 11:00 am and we will try to return for a same day pickup. After 11:00 am, our crews will be unable to accommodate a pickup for carts not set out on time.
- If your carts were set out on time and not collected, please call us at 250-828-3461. If you can call us by 11:00 am, we will do our best to return for a same day pickup, If it is after 11:00 am, our call centre team will advise what we can do.
- If the entire street was not collected, please call us at 250-828-3461.
- Note: GPS travel path data is utilized in our decision making.
