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Organics Collection to Stay Weekly, Holiday Collection Reminder, and Tips For Managing Solid Waste

Release Date

With the seasons changing and holidays approaching, the City would like to remind residents of some key operational and seasonal information and tips regarding solid waste collection and management.

Organics Collection to Remain Weekly Year Round

Last week, Council adopted a solid waste bylaw amendment to transition to ongoing weekly organics collection throughout the year. Following the implementation of community-wide organics last year, the format for organics collection was weekly for March through November and biweekly for December through February. 

Previously, in the winter months, organics were collected only on garbage days. Residents can now place their organics cart out on any designated collection day. For updated solid waste collection schedules for December 2024 and 2025, visit Kamloops.ca/CollectionSchedules.

Tips For Managing Solid Waste and Recycling

  • Recyclable items that can stay out of the garbage: 
    • Excess curbside recyclables (cardboard, paper, plastic containers, and metal containers) are accepted at specified City Depots and Recycle BC Depots. 
    • Glass, Styrofoam, foam packaging, lightbulbs, and flexible plastics are accepted at specified Recycle BC 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. 
    • Keep bulky textiles out of the garbage. Recycle or donate unwanted clothing, bags, shoes, towels, blankets, sheets, and curtains. Find a list of options at Kamloops.ca/Textiles.
    • Recycle hard and soft cover books. There are four book recycling locations around the city. 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 use them 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.
  • Use the organics cart for all food scraps (including meat, bones, and fats) and food-soiled paper. For a complete list of what can go in the organics cart, visit Kamloops.ca/Organics. 
  • Dispose of household hazardous waste at a new year-round drop-off facility:
    • Take residential loads of paint, aerosol cans, fuel, solvents, cleaners, chemicals, and batteries free of charge to North-Wood Environmental Services at 480 Okanagan Way. Learn more at Kamloops.ca/HHW. 
  • Use the Waste Wizard in the free Waste Wise Kamloops app to search where hundreds of items go and whether they belong in the recycling, organics, or garbage cart or are accepted at a specified recycling depot. Visit Kamloops.ca/WasteWise to download or use the app. 

Solid Waste Collection – Commitment to Service Levels

The City acknowledges that the recent collection delays have been frustrating for impacted residents. Unfortunately, there have been mechanical issues with multiple trucks in the solid waste truck fleet at the same time. As maintaining service levels is a top priority, the City is pleased to share that two new solid waste trucks purchased over two years ago have finally arrived following significant supply chain delays. These two trucks are becoming operational this month.  


The City has also opted to lease several new trucks, which means more new trucks will arrive faster than purchasing them. There are currently two (new) leased vehicles already on the road and more will be added to the fleet throughout 2025. The City thanks residents for their patience and reminds people that the free Waste Wise Kamloops app is the most convenient way to stay up-to-date on collection notifications and updates. Visit Kamloops.ca/WasteWise.

Solid Waste Collection - Holiday Impact 

The City’s solid waste collection schedule follows a skip-a-day format in which collection days are bumped a day after a statutory holiday. Due to the three statutory holidays for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day impacting the solid waste schedule between the end of December and the first week of January, residents can expect a slightly longer period between collection days. Residents are encouraged to think ahead and manage their holiday waste proactively.

Other Tips and Reminders

Organics - Tips to Help Prevent Material From Sticking or Freezing Inside the Cart

If material sticks or freezes to the inside of the cart, it may not slide out during collection. Layering organic waste with dry material will help absorb moisture and help prevent sticking and freezing. Find detailed tips at Kamloops.ca/Organics.

Reduce Holiday Waste - Give Less Garbage

The holiday season can generate an extraordinary amount of waste. Consider giving gifts with little or no packaging; reuse items like wrapping paper when possible or get creative by wrapping with old maps, magazines, or newspapers; and plan grocery shopping and meal preparation accordingly to minimize food waste. For more tips, visit Kamloops.ca/WasteReduction. 

For more information on garbage, recycling, and organics, visit Kamloops.ca/SolidWaste.