HRM residents are proud of their world-class waste resource management program and they should be; after all, the citizens of HRM designed the entire program! The program is easy to follow, and this page explains how it all works.

Single family homes, duplexes, flats and apartment buildings with 6 or less units have their household waste picked up at the curb. It must be placed out by 7:00 am. To find out what day your garbage, recycling or green cart is picked up, visit our GIS site - ExploreHRM or call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000.   This is also how you contact us if your house does not have a green cart or mini bin.

If you live in a larger apartment building or condominium, please contact your building superintendent for details on their recycling and composting program. All properties are required by law to have a program in place.

Garbage

In HRM, garbage is collected every second week. By participating in HRM’s waste diversion programs, residents are keeping approximately 54% of their waste out of the landfill.

• There is a limit of 6 bags or containers of garbage every two weeks. Included in this can be up to 5 bundles of home renovation waste. You can also place 1 bulky item on each garbage collection day (for example, an appliance or piece of furniture).

• If you live in an apartment building with 6 units or less, the limit is 5 bags or containers per unit. A maximum of 2 bulky items can be placed curbside.

• All residents who receive curbside collection of garbage are eligible to have CFCs removed from fridges or other cooling appliances free of charge. This must be completed before such items are collected. Call 490-4000 for details.

• Extra waste can be taken to the Otter Lake disposal facility for a fee. Material weighing up to 100 kg is charged $5.00. Material weighing 100 kg or more is charged $12.50 for every 100 kg.

Green Cart

The Organics Green Cart Program collects all of your household organics waste, including food and yard waste and box board (such as cereal and cracker boxes). The program is easy to use - the municipality provides the tools (kitchen mini-bin and green cart). Simply separate the material and place the cart on your curb every second week for collection.

• Grass clippings should remain on your lawn.

• If you have leaves you cannot use as mulch or compost in your backyard, they can be placed next to your green cart in clear, orange plastic or heavy paper bags. There is a limit of 20 bags each collection day.

• Branches should be tied in armload-sized bundles, no longer than 4 feet long and no piece larger than 8 inches in diameter. Maximum of 5 bundles.

According to our survey, 90% of residents in HRM feel that the program is an easy way to manage organic waste. This program keeps more than 41,000 tonnes of organic waste out of the landfill each year! It also produces soil-enriching compost and reduces greenhouse gases and other emissions.

Recycling

Residents in HRM recycle using blue bags.

• All plastic containers (no styrofoam)

• refundable beverage containers,

• all plastic bags,

• steel and aluminum cans,
• glass jars, and
• clean aluminum foil

... can all be recycled in the blue bag.

Corrugated cardboard is bundled and newspapers, flyers, envelopes, magazines and writing paper is placed in grocery bags.

Recycling is picked up weekly or bi-weekly depending on where you live. There is no limit to the number of blue bags, cardboard or bags of paper you can place out for collection. Last year, HRM residents recycled more than 20,000 tonnes of material at our recycling plant.

Household Hazardous Waste

Some waste products such as batteries, propane tanks and solvents can harm the environment if discarded improperly. HRM operates a Household Hazardous Waste Depot where residents can drop off these wastes for safe disposal. Each year 6,000 to 8,000 households utilize this service.

The HHW Depot operates selected Saturdays (9:00 am to 4:00 pm). Please call 490-4000 or visit our website to verify this schedule.

Latex and oil paints are also accepted at any local ENVIRO DEPOT. Visit RRFB Nova Scotia online, or call 1-877-313-RRFB (7732) for details.

More information on Garbage, Recycling & Green Carts