Nanaimo Garbage Schedule: Today’s Carts, Personalized 2026 PDF and RDN Routes
Enter your exact address, determine whether the City or Regional District serves the property, check which carts are due today, create the correct 2026 PDF calendar, understand statutory-holiday shifts, troubleshoot a missed pickup and find the right destination for extra or hazardous waste.
Quick Answer: How to Find My Nanaimo Garbage Pickup Schedule
Use the exact service address—not a citywide week calculator. Addresses inside Nanaimo City limits use Nanaimo My Schedule. Eligible homes outside City limits use the RDN Curbside schedule.
Confirm City or RDN
A Nanaimo postal address can still be outside City limits, particularly in nearby rural communities.
Enter the full address
Select the exact service address from the official lookup instead of relying only on a postal code.
Check the cart colours
Green organics are weekly. Black garbage and Blue recycling normally alternate.
Review alerts
Statutory holidays, weather, road access or equipment problems can change the displayed date.
Open the correct authority’s live address lookup. A generic table cannot reliably identify today’s collection across Nanaimo’s multiple routes.
📅 Which Week Am I On? — Garbage or Recycling?
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City not in our database yet
We don't have a reference date for this city. To find your biweekly schedule, use one of these options:
Once you have the date of your last garbage week, enter it in the date field above and click Check.
Next pickup date
Based on your collection day
🔑 Bookmark this page to check your schedule every 2 weeks
City of Nanaimo or RDN? Route Your Schedule Question
Choose the property type and the task you need. This helper sends you to the correct official process without inventing a collection date.
RDN carts normally carry the RDN logo. Communities such as Cedar, Yellow Point, Extension and Nanaimo Lakes may use RDN service rather than the City calendar. Confirm the address instead of relying on the community name alone.
City of Nanaimo Garbage Schedule Today: Which Carts Go Out?
The live address result normally shows one of two combinations. Green Cart organics are collected weekly, while the Black and Blue Carts alternate.
Normal frequency: Weekly
Purpose: Food scraps and accepted organics
Paired with: Black or Blue Cart
Normal frequency: Every two weeks
Purpose: True residual garbage
Alternates with: Blue Cart
Normal frequency: Every two weeks
Purpose: Accepted loose recycling
Alternates with: Black Cart
Organics and garbage collection
Set out the Green and Black Carts. Keep the Blue Cart stored until its next address-specific date.
Organics and recycling collection
Set out the Green and Blue Carts. Keep the Black Cart stored until its next scheduled collection.
The City has multiple address-specific routes. Search the property before answering whether garbage, recycling or both organics and another cart are due today.
My Garbage Pickup Schedule Nanaimo 2026 PDF
The City does not publish one accurate PDF for every household. Nanaimo My Schedule generates the calendar for the exact address. RDN properties use one of the regional route calendars or the RDN address lookup.
Create a City of Nanaimo schedule PDF
Open My Schedule
Use the City schedule page only for an address inside Nanaimo City limits.
Enter the service address
Choose the matching address from the lookup suggestions.
Review the calendar
Confirm the Green, Black and Blue Cart dates plus any service alerts.
Print or download
Use the schedule’s print or download option to save a personalized 2026 PDF.
Save reminders instead of repeatedly searching
The Black and Blue Cart dates move with the calendar, and statutory holidays alter the add-a-day sequence. Generate a current address-specific schedule.
Existing official-page screenshot retained
This image helps residents recognize the City schedule page, but it is not a live calendar and does not show the next pickup for a specific property.
City Collection Cycle: Green Weekly, Black and Blue Alternating
Weekly Green Cart collection removes food waste and common wildlife attractants, while garbage and recycling use alternating biweekly service.
Nanaimo Statutory-Holiday Add-a-Day System
When the City recognizes a statutory holiday, collection advances by one weekday. The shift continues through the route sequence, and the City bylaw does not schedule regular collection on Saturday, Sunday or recognized holidays.
An earlier route may be unchanged
Collection occurring before the holiday can remain on its displayed date.
The route moves one weekday
Follow the replacement date shown in My Schedule rather than adding a day yourself.
The shift can accumulate
Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year periods can move a route more than once.
The displayed address calendar is the final practical answer because weekends and consecutive holidays affect how the sequence advances.
Which Properties Receive City or RDN Curbside Service?
One to four dwelling units
Eligible residential properties inside City limits generally receive automated three-cart collection.
More than four units
Larger apartments and stratas generally arrange alternate collection through a building manager or private hauler.
Mobile-home park
Ask park management which collection contractor, cart area and bulky-item procedure apply.
Protection Island
Protection Island is identified as unserviceable under the City’s standard automated collection system.
After the occupancy permit is issued and the resident has moved in, contact City Cart Requests to arrange cart delivery. RDN properties should use the regional cart portal.
City Cart Placement Rules That Prevent Missed Pickup
Complete this checklist
- Place the scheduled carts out by 8 a.m.
- Set carts out on collection morning, not overnight.
- Leave at least 1 metre or 3 feet between carts.
- Keep carts 1 metre from vehicles, poles and utility boxes.
- Maintain 3 metres or 10 feet of overhead clearance.
- Point the lid arrows toward the street.
- Close each lid completely.
- Keep sidewalks, cycle lanes and traffic lanes open.
- Remove emptied carts on the collection day.
Avoid these problems
- Cart set out after 8 a.m.
- Open or overflowing lid.
- Material placed beside or on top of a cart.
- Cart hidden behind a parked vehicle.
- Less than 1 metre of side clearance.
- Wrong cart or wrong collection date.
- Contaminated or prohibited contents.
- Cart contents exceeding 35 kg or 75 lb.
Residents who meet the City’s medical eligibility requirements and cannot move carts to the collection point can contact Public Works to ask about assisted collection.
Contact Public Works when the normal collection point creates a genuine access or safety problem. Do not place carts in a traffic lane or block a sidewalk.
Nanaimo Recycling, Organics and Garbage Sorting Guide
Loose accepted recycling
- Printed paper, newspapers and magazines.
- Flattened cardboard and boxboard.
- Accepted plastic containers.
- Metal food and household containers.
- Cartons and accepted paper packaging.
Food and accepted organics
- Food scraps and plate scrapings.
- Meat, fish, bones and dairy.
- Food-soiled paper and cardboard.
- Leaves, grass and light garden trimmings.
- An optional BPI-certified compostable cart liner.
True residual waste
- Diapers and hygiene products.
- Wipes, masks and disposable gloves.
- Broken ceramics and non-recyclable household items.
- Other ordinary waste with no diversion route.
Blue Cart preparation
Green Cart liner and contamination rules
- Place organics loose in the cart.
- Line the bottom with newspaper or compostable cardboard.
- Use paper to wrap wet or odorous food.
- Use only a qualifying BPI-certified cart liner when a liner is needed.
- Ordinary plastic bags.
- Biodegradable plastic products.
- Compostable plastic utensils or packaging.
- Pet waste, cat litter or animal carcasses.
- Soil, sod, rocks or construction material.
- Wire, ties, netting and produce stickers.
Nanaimo Cart Sizes, Exchanges and Larger-Cart Costs
City carts belong to the property. A property owner must submit account-linked exchange requests, and a renter should ask the landlord to make the request.
Search What Goes Where for glass, foam, flexible plastic, batteries, electronics, paint and other depot products that can unnecessarily fill a Black Cart.
Missed City of Nanaimo Garbage, Recycling or Organics Pickup
First determine whether the crew is still working, the whole route is delayed, or only one cart was rejected or missed.
Run this checklist
- Confirm the date and cart colours in My Schedule.
- Check whether a holiday advanced the route.
- Confirm the carts were out by 8 a.m.
- Check lid closure, direction and clearance.
- Look for a rejection or contamination notice.
- Check whether neighbouring carts were collected.
- Review the City service-alert page or app notification.
Contact City Public Works
Report the issue when the correct cart was properly prepared, nearby carts were emptied and no route-wide alert or rejection notice explains the problem.
Phone: 250-758-5222
Email: public.worksinfo@nanaimo.ca
What to do after a rejection
“My address was scheduled for the [cart colours] today. The carts were out by 8 a.m., closed, facing the street and spaced one metre apart. Nearby carts were emptied and no rejection notice was left. Can you check the route status?”
RDN Garbage Schedule for Addresses Outside Nanaimo City Limits
Eligible RDN properties use the RDN Curbside calendar, route PDFs and app—not Nanaimo My Schedule.
Frequency: Weekly
Includes: Food waste and accepted light yard material
Collection-day lock: Closed but unlocked
Frequency: Every two weeks
Pattern: Alternates with recycling
Missed service: Waste Connections
Frequency: Every two weeks
Pattern: Alternates with garbage
Calendar: RDN address lookup or route PDF
RDN 2026 route PDFs
The RDN schedule page lists separate 2026 calendars for routes RA, RB, RC, RD and RE. Enter the address first so you do not download the wrong route PDF.
Garbage + organics
Set out the Garbage and Organics Carts on the date marked with the grey garbage symbol.
Recycling + organics
Set out the Recycling and Organics Carts on the date marked with the blue recycling symbol.
Collection bumps ahead
Every statutory holiday advances the affected RDN collection schedule.
Best verification method
Search the address before printing a route calendar or setting reminders.
RDN collection-day checklist
- Place carts out between 5 and 8 a.m.
- Leave carts available during the 8 a.m.–6 p.m. collection window.
- Leave at least 1 metre around every cart.
- Maintain 3 metres of overhead clearance.
- Point the lid arrows toward the roadway.
- Keep lids fully closed and unlocked for collection.
- Bring carts back by 10 p.m.
- Keep carts off snowbanks and out of the travelled roadway.
- Stay at least 10 metres from the automated collection truck.
Leave the carts out until 6 p.m. If neighbouring properties were collected and your correctly prepared carts remain, contact Waste Connections at 250-248-8109.
Use the RDN Curbside Online Portal. Carts remain with the property, and residents should request official address labels rather than permanently writing on a cart.
Nanaimo Garbage Drop-Off, Yard Waste and Mattress Options
The Regional Landfill and Church Road Transfer Station accept different material categories. Confirm the item and current fee before loading the vehicle.
Regional Landfill
Church Road Transfer Station
Selected RDN rates effective April 1, 2026
Identify the exact material, separate recyclables, cover and secure the load, check which facility accepts it, confirm current rates and arrive early enough to unload before closing.
Paint, Batteries, Propane and Household Hazardous Waste
Hazardous products do not belong in City or RDN curbside carts or in an ordinary unscheduled landfill load.
Contact RDN first
The regional household hazardous-waste programme requires advance approval, a scheduled appointment and a drop code.
List products and quantities
Include product names, photos, contact information and the preferred participating facility.
Retail return may be easier
Paint, batteries, electronics, oil, tires and other products may have a separate free take-back programme.
Selected household hazardous-waste fees
Safe transport checklist
- Keep products in original labelled containers.
- Never combine or mix chemicals.
- Tighten lids and keep containers upright.
- Use a sturdy open box to prevent tipping.
- Keep products away from passengers, children, pets and food.
- Bring the appointment confirmation and drop code.
Nanaimo Garbage and Recycling Contact Guide
Use the contact responsible for the property, cart and collection stream.
Official Nanaimo and RDN Resources
The guide above explains the process. Use these official pages for the final live date, service alert, material rule or fee.
My Schedule
Enter a City address, view the current cart dates, save the calendar and subscribe to reminders.
Open Nanaimo My ScheduleCurbside collection
Enter an eligible regional address and find the correct RA–RE route calendar.
Open RDN CurbsideWhat Goes Where
Search an exact item before choosing a cart or facility.
Search an itemRDN hours and rates
Verify the current facility hours, fees, accepted materials and holiday closures.
Check facility detailsNanaimo Garbage Schedule FAQ
How do I find my Nanaimo garbage pickup schedule for 2026?
How do I check the City of Nanaimo garbage schedule today?
Can I download my Nanaimo 2026 schedule as a PDF?
Can I use my Nanaimo garbage schedule from 2025?
How often are City of Nanaimo carts collected?
What time must City carts be placed out?
How does the RDN garbage schedule differ from the City schedule?
Who should I contact about a missed Nanaimo pickup?
Does City collection include large apartments and stratas?
Where can I take extra garbage or a mattress?
Can plastic bags go in the Nanaimo Green Cart?
What should I do when material is stuck inside a cart?
Nanaimo Collection-Morning Checklist
Confirm whether the property uses City or RDN service, search the exact address, check the displayed cart colours and review service alerts. For City service, have carts out by 8 a.m.; for RDN service, place them out between 5 and 8 a.m.
Close the lids, point arrows toward the street, leave one metre of side clearance and three metres overhead, keep carts off sidewalks and traffic lanes, and remove prohibited or depot-only products.