Check Your Kingston Collection Date, Box Colour and Service Type
Enter your main property address in Kingston’s official calendar to see what is collected today or next. Garbage and Green Bin service are normally weekly, while blue and grey recycling boxes alternate. This guide also explains the 6 a.m. deadline, bag tags, automated carts, missed pickups, yard waste and special-item disposal.
Quick Answer: Kingston Garbage Collection Schedule Today
Use the City of Kingston collection calendar and enter the main street address. The result shows the next collection date and whether garbage, Green Bin, blue box, grey box or a seasonal service is due.
Enter the main property
Use the house or building address without a unit letter or apartment number.
Read today or next pickup
Check the displayed date instead of relying only on the usual weekday.
Confirm the box colour
Blue and grey recycling are collected on alternating weeks.
Set out before 6 a.m.
Route arrival times can change, so do not wait until the truck is nearby.
What Should a Kingston Resident Put Out Today?
The weekday alone does not answer the question. Use this order before taking anything outside.
Search the correct address
Select the matching property in the official calendar. Apartment residents may need building-specific instructions.
📅 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
Confirm garbage and Green Bin
Both are normally collected weekly, but holidays can shift the actual date.
Identify blue or grey week
The calendar shows which recycling box belongs at the curb. Do not set out both automatically.
Confirm manual or automated service
Some addresses use garbage bags and a smaller Green Bin; others use City-issued wheeled garbage and organics carts.
Check preparation and access
Confirm tags, weight, cart direction, clearance, closed lids and snow access before 6 a.m.
Kingston Garbage Collection Calendar 2026
Kingston’s calendar is personalized by address. It provides the next collection date, downloadable schedule, reminder options and personal-calendar syncing.
Create a printable calendar
Search the address and use the download or print option for a household planning copy.
Add dates to your device
The official tool supports iCal, Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.
Get phone or email alerts
Reminders are especially useful for alternating blue and grey box weeks.
Kingston Rubbish and Bin Collection Schedule: What the Terms Mean
Searchers using “Kingston rubbish collection schedule” or “Kingston bin collection schedule” usually need the same municipal calendar. Kingston’s official terminology is garbage, Green Bin, blue box and grey box.
Residual household waste
Manual-service households receive one untagged bag or eligible container each week.
Food and compostable material
Organics collection is normally weekly for eligible residential properties.
Blue and grey boxes
Containers generally use the blue box; paper and designated flexible packaging use the grey box.
Kingston Garbage Collection Days and Frequencies
Does Your Kingston Address Use Bags or Automated Carts?
Kingston is gradually replacing manual garbage and organics collection with automated carts. The first areas changed in July 2025, and most areas are expected to transition gradually through 2030.
Bags, cans and smaller Green Bins
- One untagged garbage bag or container weekly.
- Extra garbage requires a visible tag.
- Garbage bags or cans must remain below 20 kg.
- Manual Green Bins must remain below 30 kg.
- Material must be ready before 6 a.m.
City-issued garbage and organics carts
- Standard garbage cart: 120 litres.
- Standard organics cart: 120 litres.
- Leave at least 1 metre of clearance.
- Point cart arrows toward the street.
- Close the lid fully and do not jam material inside.
240-litre upgrade
The current fee is $196 per year plus a one-time $120 administration fee. Only the property owner can request the change.
Paid 120-litre option
The current one-time administration fee is $120, plus $65 for the lock. Verify all fees before requesting service.
Check clearance and direction
A backwards, blocked, overfilled or tightly packed cart may be left behind or only partly emptied.
Kingston Set-Out Rules Before 6 a.m.
Bag and container checklist
- Place garbage at the curb before 6 a.m.
- Keep each bag or container below 20 kg.
- Use a container under 135 litres.
- The can needs two handles and a removable lid.
- Do not use bungee cords or tie-downs.
- Keep the sidewalk and roadway clear.
Mechanical-arm checklist
- Leave at least 1 metre around the cart.
- Set it on firm, level ground.
- Point arrows toward the street or alley.
- Close the lid completely.
- Keep away from vehicles, poles and snowbanks.
- Do not wedge material tightly inside.
Recycling box weight
Each blue or grey box and its contents must weigh less than 20 kg.
Broken glass
Seal it in a taped cardboard box labelled “broken glass.” Place it beside garbage; no bag tag is required.
Snow and parked cars
Use a visible, accessible spot. Do not hide material behind a snowbank or parked vehicle.
Kingston Garbage Bag Tags and Weekly Limit
One bag or container
Manual-service households receive one untagged garbage bag or eligible container each week.
$4 per bag tag
Attach one visible Kingston tag to every extra garbage bag or container.
Use the official retailer map
Stock and payment options can vary. Call the retailer before making a special trip.
$2 MFAP tags
Eligible Municipal Fee Assistance Program members can buy discounted tags at designated City facilities, with a maximum of 25 per purchase.
Bag-tag exemption
Residents who regularly generate extra garbage for medical reasons can apply with supporting information from a medical practitioner.
Kingston Green Bin Collection and Preparation
Green Bin waste is normally collected every week. Manual-service households must use one City-supplied Green Bin; automated areas use the assigned organics cart.
Food and soiled paper
- Fruit, vegetables, eggs and shells.
- Meat, fish, seafood and bones.
- Bread, rice, pasta, grains and dairy.
- Coffee grounds and tea bags.
- Paper towels, tissues and greasy pizza boxes.
- Small amounts of yard waste when food remains visible.
Keep contamination out
- Pet waste and litter.
- Roots, sod, dirt, stones or gravel.
- Feminine hygiene products.
- Cooking oil and other liquids.
- Oxo-degradable liners.
- Dryer sheets, cotton balls and swabs.
Under 30 kg with lid closed
Nothing should stick above the top lip. A Green Bin containing yard waste but no visible food waste may be rejected.
Accepted liners
Use paper liners or bags carrying the BPI or Certified Compostable symbol. Ordinary plastic bags are not accepted liners.
Replacement Green Bin
Residents can receive one free 45-litre or 80-litre bin or request replacement for a lost, stolen or broken bin. Call 613-546-0000.
Kingston Recycling Schedule and 2026 Changes
Circular Materials manages Kingston’s residential recycling program, and Emterra provides collection support. Blue and grey boxes remain on alternating weeks, but Ontario’s accepted-material list expanded in 2026.
Containers and rigid packaging
- Metal food and beverage cans.
- Glass bottles and jars.
- Plastic bottles, jars, tubs and lids.
- Foam packaging, excluding loose peanuts.
- Toothpaste and deodorant tubes.
- Empty non-hazardous aerosol containers.
Paper and flexible packaging
- Newspaper, mail, magazines and office paper.
- Boxboard, cartons and cardboard.
- Stretchy bags and film tied together.
- Chip bags, wrappers, coffee bags and bubble wrap.
- Shredded paper in a tied clear bag.
- Paper cups with lids placed separately.
Empty and clean
Remove food and liquid. Material does not need to be spotless, but heavy residue creates contamination.
Flatten cardboard
Keep pieces no larger than approximately 60 cm by 60 cm and bundle or contain them as directed.
Check lids by material
Plastic and metal containers generally keep lids on; glass containers use lids off under the current detailed list.
Official PDF Details Converted into Practical Kingston Rules
The City’s three-stream sorting sheet and Circular Materials’ six-page 2026 material list answer different questions. Use the City sheet for box colour and the newer detailed list for expanded materials and preparation.
Use it for the three-stream split
It visually separates blue box containers, Green Bin organics and grey box paper or film.
Use it for newer materials
It includes toothpaste tubes, deodorant tubes, flexible packaging, foam, aerosol containers and material-specific lid instructions.
Follow the current provider
When an older City image conflicts with Circular Materials’ current list, use the current Kingston provider guidance.
Kingston Holiday Garbage Collection Dates
For most civic or long-weekend holidays, garbage and Green Bin collection moves to the day after the normal date. Christmas can create a two-day shift.
Later collection all week
Monday may move to Tuesday and Friday may move to Saturday.
Earlier days stay normal
The holiday date and later collection days normally shift by one day.
A two-day delay is possible
Do not calculate it manually. Check the address result for the exact date.
Missed Kingston Garbage, Green Bin or Recycling Pickup
Check the date, timing and rejection reason before reporting. Garbage and Green Bin problems go to the City; recycling-only problems go to Emterra.
Check these causes
- Correct address and collection date.
- Material was outside before 6 a.m.
- Correct blue or grey recycling week.
- Every extra garbage bag had a tag.
- Manual containers were under the weight limit.
- Automated carts had 1 metre of clearance.
- No rejection tag or contamination issue was present.
Submit a City request
Leave the material curbside during the City’s 48-hour review period. If it remains after 8 p.m., bring it in and follow the instructions provided with the request.
Kingston Does Not Offer Regular Curbside Large-Item Pickup
Furniture, mattresses, appliances and renovation debris are not collected simply because they are placed beside regular garbage.
Donate or use Giveaway Day
Offer usable furniture to a charity or place eligible items out only during an official Giveaway Day. Bring unclaimed items back inside.
Use a private transfer station
Call first to confirm the item, current fee, hours and unloading requirements.
Use a special route
Propane, electronics, hazardous chemicals, tires and construction waste require an approved drop-off or recycler.
Kingston Yard Waste, Brush and Leaf Collection
Leaves, brush and Green Bin organics are different services. Kingston provides assigned curbside brush and leaf weeks plus year-round residential yard-waste drop-off.
Prepare loose branches correctly
Pieces should be shorter than 90 cm and no more than 15 cm in diameter. Place cut ends toward the curb and do not bundle the brush.
Use the assigned leaf week
Brush is not collected during leaf week, and leaves are not collected during brush week.
Ready by 8 a.m.
During an assigned collection week, material may be collected at any time during that week.
189 Lappan’s Lane
- Monday to Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Leaves and small brush under 8 cm remain accepted.
- Follow staff directions after entering the gate.
2069 Joyceville Road
Branches, trunks and stumps larger than 8 cm are temporarily redirected to Tomlinson Organics while construction continues at Lappan’s Lane.
Kingston Hazardous Waste, Electronics and Special Items
Paint, chemicals, batteries, propane, electronics and other hazardous products must not go in garbage, Green Bin or recycling.
Opening delayed in 2026
The Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Kingston Disposal Site is not opening in 2026 because of construction and manufacturing delays.
1307 Innovation Drive
The temporary drive-through event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last vehicle may join the line at 3:30 p.m.
Use material-specific locations
Approved Kingston retailers accept selected batteries, electronics, lighting, paint, oil products and antifreeze.
Kingston Apartments, Condos and Student Housing
Multi-unit properties may use communal bins, registered City service or a private contractor. The collection calendar for a neighbouring house may not apply.
Ask where each stream goes
Confirm the garbage room, recycling separation, organics participation and permitted set-out times with the superintendent or landlord.
Registration may be required
Apartment and condo Green Bin service is available for qualifying registered buildings, but not every building automatically participates.
Use Emterra support
Emterra handles residential recycling collection and replacement-container requests.
Common Kingston Collection Mistakes
Adding a unit number
The calendar may require the main building address only.
Wrong recycling box
Blue and grey boxes alternate instead of going out together.
Setting out after 6 a.m.
The route may arrive earlier than it did last week.
Missing bag tag
Only one manual garbage bag or container is untagged weekly.
Overweight manual waste
Garbage bags, cans and recycling boxes must remain under 20 kg.
Backwards cart
Automated-cart arrows must point toward the street.
Only yard waste in Green Bin
Collectors must be able to see food waste.
Furniture beside garbage
Kingston does not provide regular curbside large-item pickup.
Kingston Collection Decision Helper
Select the situation closest to yours. The official address calendar remains the final source for collection dates.
Official Kingston Collection Resources
Use these sources for final decisions because collection dates, fees, event locations and accepted materials can change.
Kingston Garbage Collection Schedule FAQ
How do I check the Kingston garbage collection schedule today?
Is there a Kingston garbage collection calendar for 2026?
What time should Kingston garbage and recycling be put out?
Is garbage collected every week in Kingston?
Are Kingston blue and grey boxes collected together?
How much is a Kingston garbage bag tag?
Who handles missed recycling collection in Kingston?
How do I know whether my Kingston property uses automated carts?
Does Kingston collect furniture or mattresses at the curb?
Where can Kingston residents take yard waste?
Kingston Collection Morning Checklist
Search the main address, confirm garbage, Green Bin, blue box or grey box, identify manual or automated service, set everything out before 6 a.m., tag every extra garbage bag and use Emterra for recycling-only problems.