Norfolk County is preparing for a major change to the way garbage and organic waste are collected, with the delivery of new waste carts beginning today (August 24).
The County will deliver new grey garbage carts and green organic waste carts to more than 30,000 properties over the coming weeks.
The new cart-based collection program officially launches Monday, September 28, 2026.
Once the program begins, residents will have three different collection schedules to keep track of.
Organics will be collected every week using the new green carts.
Recycling will continue to be collected every week using existing recycling boxes.
Garbage will be collected every other week using the new grey carts.
Norfolk County has created an online collection schedule tool to help residents determine their collection information.
The tool will identify whether a property is in the Week 1 or Week 2 garbage collection zone and provide the next scheduled garbage collection date.
The tool will also confirm the day of the week when waste is collected.
Some properties will see a change to their collection day when the new program begins.
The County says this includes most properties in Waterford and the Silver Lake area of Port Dover.
The new carts are part of a move to automated waste collection.
New collection vehicles will use an automated arm to lift and empty the carts, meaning residents will need to place their waste inside the appropriate County-issued container.
Property owners cannot opt out of receiving the carts.
Once the new program begins on September 28, garbage and organic waste placed outside of the appropriate carts will not be collected.
Residents will continue to use their existing recycling boxes for weekly recycling collection.
Cart deliveries will take place across Norfolk County between August 24 and September 17.
Residents do not need to be home when their carts are delivered, and the County says deliveries can take place at any time during the scheduled delivery window.
The current delivery schedule is:
- August 24: Long Point and Turkey Point
- August 25-27: Port Dover
- August 27-28: Delhi
- August 28-31: Waterford
- September 1-3: Charlotteville and Southeast Norfolk
- September 3-8: Port Rowan and Walsingham
- September 8-9: Middleton and West Norfolk
- September 9-10: Windham area
- September 10-11: Townsend area
- September 14-17: Simcoe
The County says these dates are approximate and could change because of weather, traffic or operational requirements.
Norfolk County also cannot accommodate requests for specific delivery dates or alternative delivery arrangements.
Residents who do not receive their carts within the scheduled delivery timeframe are encouraged to contact ServiceNorfolk for assistance.
Residents receiving their new green organics cart are being encouraged to check inside it once it arrives.
A small kitchen container for collecting food scraps will be placed inside the green cart.
Residents can use the container to collect food waste in their homes before transferring it to the larger green cart for curbside collection.
The County is encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with the new carts and collection system before September 28.
An information kit explaining how to use the carts will be attached to each cart when it is delivered.
Residents who receive their carts will also have an opportunity to request changes in the future if their needs change.
Beginning December 1, cart change requests will be available again for both residential and commercial property owners at no charge.
The County says more information about available cart options and the process for submitting a change request will be provided closer to that date.
Beginning April 1, a $50 fee will apply to cart change requests.
