Garbage, Recycling and Waste

Not everything can be recycled. For the items that cannot be reused or recycled, the Township provides a weekly household garbage collection.

Please follow the collection guidelines below:

• Households may place up to 4 garbage bags out for collection each week. 
• Garbage bags must each have a garbage tag. Garbage tags are available from local suppliers, and cost $2.25 each. Please note, garbage tags will no longer be required as of June, 2026.
• Garbage bags must not exceed 26” x 36” and must not exceed 40 lbs each in weight. 
• Garbage bags may be placed in a garbage can and each bag in the can should have a garbage tag.
• Make sure your garbage tags are visible.
• Garbage bags may be placed in a garbage can for collection. Each bag in the can should weigh less than 40lbs and must display its own garbage tag.

You should not place any of the following items in your household garbage collection:

• Blue box recyclables (pop cans, glass bottles, etc.)
• Electronics
• Motor vehicle tires
• Used oil
• Leaf & yard waste (grass, leaves, and branches)
• Medical waste
• Batteries
• Low level radioactive waste
• Household hazardous waste (such as paint cans, aerosols, or propane cans)
• Liquid waste
• Sewage
• Asbestos
• Brick, rubble, soil, fill, etc.
• Root balls/stumps

Please note, garbage tags will no longer be required as of June, 2026.

Bag tags must be affixed to every and all Household Garbage Curbside collections. Tags are available for $2.25 at the Township Office, and the following locations:

Owen Sound

• Foodland
• Zehrs
• Metro
• Owen Sound Library
• Kwik Mart 14th and 6th Street
• Marine Convenience
• Giant Tiger
• Shopper's Drug Mart - both locations

Shallow Lake

• Allen's Mercantile
• Hepworth
• Cindy's Variety

Wiarton

• Foodland
• Daisy Mart
• Big Bay General Store
• Lloyd's Smoke Shop & Pool Hall

Other

• The Gas Barn
• Barry's Service Centre in Rockford
• Springmount Service Centre
• Kemble Post Office

As of January 1, 2026, the Province of Ontario has taken over Recycling collection across the province.

Please visit the Circular Materials Ontario website website for all information on recycling pickup including the pickup schedule, what materials are included, and to report a missed collection.

Sometimes, garbage may not be collected. This can be inconvenient, and the Township apologizes for any disruption this may cause. There are a number of reasons this might occur.

For missed garbage collection:

• Check your waste for an ‘Oops Tag’. Oops tags are left on garbage that cannot be collected. This might be because items were too heavy to be collected, or items were not properly sorted.  If you got an Oops Tag, please bring your waste back to the house, correct the issue, and place your waste back out on your next scheduled collection day.
• If your garbage was placed at the curbside by 7 a.m. on your collection day, and was put out following our Collection Guidelines, your collection may have been accidentally missed. This might be as a result of staffing pressures, equipment issues, or weather-related challenges. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen that mean collection cannot be completed as we all hope.
• If this has happened to you, please Report the missed pickup through ContactGB. This will forward your information directly to the relevant staff, and you will be provided a case number to track your inquiry for follow up.

For missed recycling collection:

• Please note that Georgian Bluffs is no longer involved with recycling collection. Please follow the missed collection instructions found at circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/georgian-bluffs/