All About Carts

Starting the week of July 6, 2026, you will be given Township-issued carts for your garbage, recycling, and organics collection.

Carts will be delivered to all eligible households between June 8 - June 26, 2026.

The new cart-based system:

  • Improves safety for collection workers
  • Supprts a more consistent and reliable service
  • Adds weekly organics collection
  • Is more cost-efficient over time
  • Keeps waste contained (less litter and wildlife issues)
  • Eliminates bag tags

Your Carts

Each household will receive:

  • 1 Garbage Cart: 64 gallons (collected biweekly)
  • 1 Recycling Cart: 96 gallons (collected biweekly)
  • 1 Organics Cart: 32 gallons (collected weekly)

Households with above-average waste needs will be able to request one additional cart per stream.

  • Cost: $130 per year + HST (per cart)
  • The annual fee for the cart will be added to your property tax bill after the first year.
  • Additional carts must be requested by the homeowner

A request form for additional carts will be available soon.

Setting Out Your Carts

Placement

Place your cart at the end of your driveway, close to the road.

  • Set it on level ground
  • Keep it clear of snowbanks and obstacles
  • Do not place it on the road or sidewalk

Direction

Position your cart so it can be easily accessed by the collection truck.

  • Wheels facing your home
  • Front of the cart facing the road

Spacing

Leave enough room around your cart so the truck’s mechanical arm can lift it.

  • At least 3 feet (1 metre) between carts
  • At least 3 feet (1 metre) from other objects (cars, mailboxes, etc.)

Lid and Contents

Make sure your cart can open properly when it is lifted.

  • Keep the lid closed
  • Do not place items on top of the lid
  • Do not tie or secure the lid shut

The carts will be equipped with wildlife-proof lid to discourage common wildlife from from access.

Overhead Clearance

The truck needs space above the cart to lift it safely.

  • Keep the area above your cart clear
  • Avoid placing carts under:
    • Tree branches
    • Wires
    • Structures

If your cart is not set out properly, it may not be collected.

Example Enclosures

a garbage bin enclosure

Cart Use FAQ

We know you may have questions about using wheeled carts. Here are the answers to the most common questions we've received.

  • Tilt the cart slightly toward you.

  • Roll it using the wheels.

  • Keep the lid closed while moving it.

Carts are designed to be easier to move than carrying multiple garbage bags.

If you have a long or rural driveway, you must bring your cart to the end of your laneway on collection day.

You can either transport the cart to the end of your laneway on your pickup day, or there are many rural residents who prefer to build a small garbage enclosure at the end of their driveway.

This allows the cart to:

  • Stay near the road.

  • Be easily accessed for pickup.

  • Reduce the need to move it long distances each week.

If you build an enclosure, just make sure that you:

  • Place the enclosure on your property (not on the road allowance)

  • Do not block traffic or sightlines.

  • Ensure the cart can be easily rolled out for collection.

  • Keep the area clear of snow and obstacles.

There are also commercially-available vehicle accessories to allow towing or transportation of waste carts that residents may choose to purchase. 

Once the new system begins, carts will become the standard form of waste pickup for Georgian Bluffs residents, except those on the following roads, which will continue to recieve manual pickup due to the road width:

  • Francis Drive, North of Spencer Street
  • Mallard Street & Spencer Street, off of Grey Road 1
  • Shepard Lake Road
  • Browns Lane and William Street
  • North Bass Lake Road, Sutherland Road, Grey Road 17, and Lakeview Drive in the Bass Lake area. 

If you do not wish to use carts, you may alternatively bring your waste to the Miller Waste Transfer station in Owen Sound for a fee.

 

The wheeled carts are designed to move well in all weather, but our harsh winters can pose a challenge. Sometimes using a small plastic sled under the cart can help it glide over heavy snow in the winter months.

To make sure your cart is collected in winter:

  • Clear a path to the cart.

  • Place it on level, shoveled ground.

  • Do not place it behind snowbanks.

  • Keep the lid fully closed.

If the cart is blocked or not safely accessible, it may not be collected.

Before launch, we will provide detailed set-out instructions. In general:

  • Place the cart at the end of your driveway.

  • Face it toward the street.

  • Leave space around it (away from vehicles, mailboxes, and snowbanks).

  • Make sure the lid is fully closed.

If a single 64‑gallon waste container does not meet a resident’s needs, a second container of the same size may be requested. Larger carts are not available. There is no additional rental fee for the second container; however, an additional disposal fee will apply. Please continue to monitor the Township website for further details.

With weekly organics collection and recycling handled separately, most households should find the standard cart meets their needs.

Contact Us

Township of Georgian Bluffs
177964 Grey Road 18,
Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5

Send Email to Georgian Bluffs
Phone: 519-376-2729
Fax: 519-372-1620