General FAQs

What is curbside collection?

A service provided by the District of Kitimat to collect residential garbage, recycling, food waste and yard waste. The collection is done by a contractor to the District, and all collected materials are managed in an environmentally responsible manner – either landfilled, sent for recycling, or composted.  

Is my property included in the curbside collection program?

If you reside within the municipal boundaries of the District of Kitimat, your residence is in a single-family unit, some row townhouses and you currently receive municipal curbside collection service for garbage removal, you will be incorporated into the new expanded curbside collection program. Excluded are multi-family residences (i.e. apartment buildings), commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. Check-out our Collection Routes on our website If you are still unsure, you can contact City Hall at (250) 632-8900.

When is my collection day?

You can find your collection schedule on the District of Kitimat website. For custom reminders and schedules, download the Recycle Coach app.

If I don’t participate in curbside collection, do I still have to pay for it?

Yes, curbside collection and solid waste management make up a portion of your municipal property taxes. While the expanded curbside collection program makes garbage, recycling, and food waste collection easier than before, residents are still welcome to bring their waste to the Kitimat Municipal Landfill and local recycling depots.

I leave Kitimat for long periods of time. Do I need to pay the full amount for curbside collection?

Yes. This service is provided year-round. The annual fees for residential solid waste management contribute towards the entire residential solid waste management program, including the Kitimat Municipal Landfill, and grant funding to operate KUTE.

When did the program change to include Food Waste?

Weekly food waste collection began January 4, 2022.

How do I stop wildlife from being attracted to our garbage if it is picked up every other week (bi-weekly)?

Animal attractants are typically food. Food waste should be placed in the green bin provided by the District (or a similar replacement bin). Food waste should no longer be placed in your garbage bin. Food waste is collected weekly, and your green bins can be lined with compostable liners or newspaper or brown kraft paper.

If items such as diapers or pet feces are especially smelly, add ¼ cup of baking soda to your garbage bag.

What curbside collection services are provided in Kitimat?

As of January 4th, 2022, the curbside collection service includes the following:

• Weekly food waste collection
• Bi-weekly recyclables collection
• Bi-weekly garbage collection (alternating with recycling)
• Seasonal yard waste collection from May to early November

Visit our website for your neighbourhood collection calendar or use the Recycle Coach App to see when your curbside collection is.

Garbage is collected in a plastic garbage bag placed in a lidded garbage container. Recyclables are collected in the District-supplied open blue bin (and additional blue bins if necessary) and the District supplied yellow bag for paper products. Food Waste is collected in the District-supplied, hinged-lidded green bin labelled “Food Waste”.

Yard waste is placed in a container designated for yard waste (DOK Yard Waste Stickers available at City Hall), or in a kraft paper bag.

How much material can I put out for collection?

As of January 4, 2022, the limits for each waste stream are as follows:

• Food waste: One District-supplied 57 L food waste bin containing a maximum of 23 kg (50 lbs) of food waste every week
• Recycling: Unlimited in bins, no larger than the DOK provided 90 L blue bin every second week
• Garbage: Up to three 121 L garbage bins, not exceeding 23 kg (50 lbs) every second week
• Yard Waste: (May – Nov. 6, 2023) Up to six (6) designated yard waste bins or kraft paper bags, not exceeding 23 kg (50 lbs) every second Monday

Does the District of Kitimat provide the necessary containers?

The District has provided the following containers to all eligible households at the launch of the expanded curbside collection program. In October 2021 the following containers were delivered:

• A blue bin (90 L) for your container recycling
• Yellow bag (80 L) for your paper products

Late November – early December 2021 the following containers are delivered:

• A kitchen catcher (8 L) that you keep in your kitchen for food waste (please do not place this at the curb on collection day)
• A green bin (57 L) for food waste that is taken to the curb weekly

Keep track of your containers by labeling them with your address. Your containers belong to your residential address. The District will not be stocking replacement containers. It is the responsibility of the resident to purchase similar replacement containers if yours get lost or stolen.

Where do I put my containers on collection day?

Containers must be placed at the curb so they are visible and accessible for the collectors, and do not block roadways or sidewalks.

What time will collection take place at my residence?

Please have your containers at the curb, on your collection day, by 8:00 a.m. Collection may take place at any time of the day, so it’s important that your bins are out in the morning. Do not put your containers at the curb any earlier than 4:30 a.m. of the morning of your collection day.

What is the Recycle Coach App?

The Recycle Coach app can be downloaded free from your smart device’s App Store or Google Play. You can also use the desktop version on the Recycle Coach website. Features of the app include:

• “What goes where?” search tool that allows you to look up material-specific collection or drop-off requirements
• Personalized notifications and reminders for regular collection schedules and special events via email, text message or phone call
• Printable schedules for collection days
• Report problems regarding missed collections, service complaints and issues with the app itself
• Details for how to properly prepare your materials for curbside collection in the “Collection Requirements” section

Can I pay for a second service for a suite?

If you have a legal suite in your home, then you are eligible to pay for a second service.

To establish a legal suite in your residential home, you must verify that your property is zoned to allow a secondary suite, and the District of Kitimat’s building inspectors must approve the suite for occupancy.

For any inquiries to legalize suites please contact us at district@kitimat.ca or call 250-632-8900 ask for the District of Kitimat Building Department.

Why was my garbage/food waste/recycling left at the curb on my collection day?

There are many reasons why your bins may have not been collected:

• If your container was not out in time, the collector may have already passed your house and your material will not be collected. Make sure your curbside containers are at the curb by 8:00 a.m.
• Containers will not be accepted if they exceed the number, size, or weight maximums for collection. In this case, a sticker may be left on your bag or container by the collector.
• Containers will not be accepted if they contain contaminants. In this case, a sticker may be left on your container by the collector.
• Your materials were not in a bin. Garbage must be placed in a bag, within an un-hinged bin. Food waste must be contained within the green hinged food bin. Recyclables must be placed in blue bins (and not in a plastic bag) and/or in the District provided yellow bag.
• It is not your collection day. Check your schedule or sign up with Recycle Coach to be sure that you have brought the correct containers to the curb on your collection day.
• The collectors may have had to leave your street to fuel their truck or to empty a full load. Check to see if your neighbours have had their material collected yet. If the route is partially completed, our collectors are coming back.
• Accidents happen! Containers occasionally are missed without a specific reason. If there is no sticker on your missed garbage and it was out on time, on the correct collection day, contact Geier Waste at (250) 632-4689 or the District at (250) 632-8900.

What if I miss my collection day?

If you miss your collection day, you will have to wait until your next collection day to put out materials. If you cannot wait until your next collection day you can:

• Take your garbage to the Kitimat Municipal Landfill
• Take your recyclables to the Kitimat Bottle Depot (returnable bottles and jugs) and KUTE (plastics and paper products)

The transfer station for food waste at the Kitimat Municipal Landfill is not open to the public. If you miss your collection day, you will have to wait until the following week’s collection day. Try freezing your food waste (if possible) until your next collection day. To ensure your food waste stays out of the landfill, make sure you have your container at the curb for collection by 8:00 a.m. on your collection day.

 

Recycling FAQs

Where can I find information on what I can and can’t recycle?

You can find what’s accepted in your curbside recycling box, and other locations at Kitimat.ca/WayLessWaste. This information is also available on the Recycle Coach app that is free to download through the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

For more information about RecycleBC’s paper, products, and packaging programs, as well as collection locations, visit www.recyclebc.ca

Locally, you can inquire with the Kitimat Bottle Depot or KUTE.

What is the partnership between the District of Kitimat and Recycle BC?

The District of Kitimat entered a partnership with RecycleBC (formerly Multi-Material BC) in 2021. Recycle BC provides a financial incentive for the packaging and paper products collected at the curbside. All monies received from RecycleBC for the curbside recycling collection services are rebated into the curbside collection program, which reduces the user fees on your property tax bill for the additional service.

What do I do with shredded paper?

Shredded paper can go in your recycling. It must be contained in a closed cardboard box, or paper bag - it cannot be put loose in the bin. If you are using a cardboard box or paper bag, write “Recycling – Shredded Paper” on the box in marker so it’s identifiable for collection.

What if I have more recyclables than will fit in the blue box I was provided at the start of the program?

You may place as many bins of recyclables that you need on the curb on your recycling collection day, provided the containers are clearly marked for recycling, have an open top and the container does not exceed 90 L (22 gal).

 Note that if you are providing your own container as a recycling bin, be advised that weather is hard on plastics. Plastic containers that are not made to withstand cold temperatures or direct sunlight are susceptible to cracks and breakage, even when handled with care. Choose something that is durable and made to withstand harsh weather conditions to avoid additional costs of having to replace bins.

What do I do if my recycling bin breaks?

Eligible households were provided with one 90 L recycling bin from the District for the launch of the new curbside collection program. Any additional or replacement bins required will be supplied by the homeowner and must not exceed 90L capacity. 

Why is Styrofoam not accepted in curbside collection?

When foam containers and cushion packaging are collected with other recyclables, they can break into pieces that mix with other materials. The pieces are difficult to separate, meaning less of the foam and other materials can be recycled. Foam packaging used for packaging delicate items and food packaging can be brought to KUTE recycling depot.

Why are plastics bags and overwrap not accepted in curbside collection?

When plastic bags and film are collected with other material, it is difficult to separate and less of the film and other materials can be recycled. Also, fine and soft plastics get caught and break down expensive sorting equipment. Plastic bags, over wrap and many other types of film can be taken to the KUTE recycling depot.

Why is glass not accepted in curbside collection?

When glass is mixed with collected materials, it can easily break and mix with other materials. Broken glass is a safety hazard for anyone handling recyclables. Broken glass is also difficult to separate, and therefore less of the glass and other materials can be recycled.  Glass containers can be brought to the KUTE recycling depot.

What is Other Flexible Plastic Packaging (OFPP), and why is it not accepted in curbside collection?

Recycle BC began collecting a new category of packaging called Other Flexible Plastic Packaging (OFPP) as a pilot project in June 2018. The OFPP category consists of: crinkly plastics like chip bags and granola bar wrappers; stand up pouches and zipper lock bags; woven and net plastic bags; flexible packaging with a plastic seal and non-food protective packaging. OFPP must be collected separately as it is difficult to separate OFPP from other recyclables. Effective April 16^th, 2022, recycle your OFPP at the KUTE recycling depot and place it in the correct bag for OFPP. For more information on OFPP, visit www.recyclebc.ca/flexiblepackaging/

Why can garbage cans have lids, but recycling containers can’t?

At this time, lids on curbside recycling bins are discouraged. Lids on bins generally have a tighter fit, are more difficult for collectors to remove than those on garbage cans and are more prone to cracking and breaking. Additionally, because residents are entitled to put out unlimited recycling bins, it could significantly slow the collection process down if lids must be removed from multiple bins at each household.

Concerned about litter? We kindly ask that if you find recyclable materials that have escaped bins on or near your property that you pick them up and put them in your bin for the next collection. Some steps can be taken to reduce the amount of litter from your recycling bins:

• Put out more bins in order to keep the level of material in each bin below the rim and help prevent recyclables from falling and blowing out.
• Organize your recyclables so that heavier items are on top of the lighter items.
• Putting your recyclables out on the morning of your collection day

Why can’t plastic bags be used for recycling?

RecycleBC has mandated the use of bins instead of bags for the following reasons:

• Eliminates the waste created by plastic bags
• Eliminates the need to open bags to remove recyclables at the sorting facilities
• Eliminates bags getting tangled in sorting equipment
• Eliminates the cost of purchasing bags for residents

If I can’t determine if an item is recyclable, should I put it in my curbside recycling anyway?

When in doubt, throw it out! We appreciate that you want to do your part and recycle. However, materials that are not recycled under RecycleBC should not go in your curbside collection container. Contamination can be difficult to separate and damaging to sorting equipment, leading to more clean recyclables being landfilled.

Can I recycle compostable plastics?

If you are unsure whether an item can be recycled, your first step should be to search the item using the Recycle Coach “What Goes Where?” search tool.

Please note that our compost facility does not accept compostable plastics. More and more businesses are providing compostable plastic take-out containers, cups, lids and straws. Often compostable plastics are not clearly identified and many have the #7 plastic code (“other plastics”), which can imply that it is recyclable. Note that these codes do not automatically mean a plastic is recyclable – it is only intended to identify the type of plastic.

Here are some ways to determine if a plastic is compostable if it is not clearly stated on the container.

Branding

These are some common brands of compostable plastics (you may have to look closely to see the brand stamped in the plastic): Greenware, Earthchoice, World Centric, EcoWare

Other identifiers

• “Industrially Compostable”
• “Certified Compostable”
• “Ingeo” (a trademark of compostable plastic made by NatureWorks)
• “PLA” (polylactic acid) – this may appear under the #7 plastic code.

Please check your plastic containers before putting them in the recycling bin. If it’s identified as a #7 plastic, look for some of the above-mentioned identifiers. Again, if you are uncertain, it is best to place them in with your garbage to avoid contaminating your recycling. 

Food Waste FAQs

Why is my food waste/garbage or food waste/recyclables collected by the same truck at the same time?

Our collection contractor’s new collection truck has 70/30 split compartments for materials. Meaning one size can hold 70% of the volume, while the smaller side can hold 30% of the volume. Each week one compartment is designated for Food Waste and one compartment is designated for garbage or recyclables. Although it may look like all your curbside materials are being mixed, they are kept separate and unloaded in the appropriate locations.

Why can’t I put my yard waste and my food waste together in the same curbside container?

The District asks that you keep these materials separate, because we send yard waste to the Kitimat Landfill’s compost pile, while food waste is sent to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) GORE composting facility at Forceman Ridge, near Onion Lake. The compost pile at the Kitimat Landfill is not designed to safely decompose food waste. For the safety of our wildlife, landfill operators and attendant(s), we must all do our best to keep animal attractants out of our landfill. By using the Kitimat Landfill for our yard waste, we are reducing our production of greenhouse gases, as we reduce the number of vehicle trips 25km down Highway 37 to Forceman Ridge.

I already compost in my backyard, do I have to use my food waste bin?

The District encourages well managed back yard composting, well done! It is a great way to keep soil nutrients circulating and to keep waste out of landfills. However, there are many items that can go in your green bin that do not go into a well-managed backyard compost including:

• Cooked and raw meat and bones
• Fat and grease (Up to 250mL / week, let solidify first and then scrape into kitchen catcher or soak up with paper towel)
• Dairy products
• Dry and cooked pasta
• Food soiled paper and cardboard (i.e. cheesy and greasy pizza box)
• Spoiled leftovers
• Wilted salad
• Waxed and parchment paper
• Wood items such as toothpicks, popsicle sticks and chop sticks
• Paper towel, napkins and tissues
• Hair, feathers, fingernails (natural unpolished), toenails (natural unpolished) and pet fur

 

Can I set out food waste in my kitchen catcher instead of the green bin?

No, food waste must be set out for collection in District-provided green bin. If you have misplaced your 57 L green bin, you can pick up a similar from a local retailer.

The kitchen catchers are not made for curbside collection and easily come apart or are missed all together due to their small size. The green bins have been designed for collectors to easily lift and tip.

Can I put yard waste in my green bin?

No, yard waste is not permitted in the green bin. Cut flowers and cuttings from household plants are accepted in the green bins during the months when yard waste is not being collected (mid-November to May).

Where does my food waste go?

Food waste collected at the curb goes to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) Forceman Ridge Waste Management Facility, and is composted in the Regional District’s GORE compost facility.

Do I have to line my green bin or kitchen catcher with a bag?

No, you do not have to use liners for your food waste. However, if you choose to line your green bin or kitchen catcher, you must use a material that is also compostable including: newspaper, compostable paper bags, and compostable plastic bags. Biodegradable and other plastic bags are not allowed. Liners that are not 100% paper must state that they are compostable.

What do I do if I have more food waste than can fit in the green bin?

If you find you are consistently over the limit of weekly food waste collection, please contact Environmental Services at (250) 632-8900 or waylesswaste@kitimat.ca

What do I do if my green bin breaks?

If your green bin breaks due to a manufacturing defect under normal use, you may request a new one, and return the damaged cart to the District, while supplies last. Please contact Environmental Services to make arrangements at (250) 632-8900 or waylesswaste@kitimat.ca

If your green bin breaks due to vandalism, misuse, abuse, or animals, you must replace your green bin with another similar model (green, container not exceeding 57 L capacity, with a hinged lid). These are available from local suppliers.

Can I put pet waste or kitty litter in my food waste container?

No. Pet waste and kitty litter are not accepted in the curbside food waste container. Please bag pet waste and kitty litter and put it in your garbage bin.

Are there other communities that have curbside organics collection?

Yes! There are many municipalities and regional districts in BC that collect organics as part of their curbside collection program. Nearby, food waste is collected at the curb in parts of the Greater Terrace Area, City of Terrace, and many small and large communities throughout the province.

Here are some case studies that outline programs in a number of municipalities and can be found on the Government of British Columbia website at under Residential Organic Waste Diversion: Residential organic waste diversion - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

If I can’t determine if an item is compostable, should I put it in my green bin anyway?

No. When in doubt, throw it out!

We appreciate wanting to do the right thing and diverting material from our landfill; however contamination is difficult to separate and leads to clean compostable material being sent to the landfill.

Get the Recycle Coach app on your mobile device or use the Recycle Coach search function to assist you with what goes where.

 

Garbage FAQs

What do I do if I have more than three full garbage containers on my garbage collection week?

If you cannot wait until your next garbage collection day, additional garbage can be brought to the Kitimat Municipal Landfill.

If you have a home with high waste disposal needs due to things like pet waste, diapers or medical waste contact the District’s Environmental Services department at waylesswaste@kitimat.ca or call (250) 632-8900.

If I miss a week, can I place double the amount of garbage the following scheduled garbage collection day?

No. Only three (3) garbage containers, weighing no more than 23 kg (50 lbs) each may be placed at the curbside. Additional garbage can be brought to the Kitimat Municipal Landfill.

Do I have to bag my garbage?

Yes, your garbage must be securely tied in a bag, and placed in a lidded container. Loose garbage (sweepings, shavings etc.) will not be accepted as they are hazardous to the collection staff.

Do I have to use a garbage container?

Yes. The District requires that garbage bags are placed within lidded containers. This keeps our garbage contained, our wildlife safe from being attracted to and ingesting inappropriate materials, and our curbside collectors safe from negative encounters with wildlife.

Yard Waste FAQs

Is yard waste included in the new curbside collection program?

In May 2021, the District began the collection of separated yard waste. The seasonal service runs from early May until the second week of November. All yard waste must be placed in your yard waste container and marked “Yard Waste” (District of Kitimat Yard Waste stickers are available for pick-up at City Hall) or in a Kraft paper bag for collection, on your scheduled Monday collection day. Access your collection schedule on our Way Less Waste webpage.  

What materials are considered yard waste?

The following items are accepted for yard waste collection: clippings (grass, lawn, and hedge), flowers, weeds (non-invasive), leaves, vegetable stalks, shrubs, branches, and Halloween pumpkins (please remove candles and tea lights).

Shrub and tree branches must be cut to fit into the collection container and cannot be more than 12 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter and 1.2 m (4 ft) in length.

Please do not include animal feces, kitty litter, food waste, plant pots, rocks, soil, or plastic in your waste containers.

Where might I find the Kraft paper bags?

Compostable paper bags can be found at local retailers.

How much yard waste can I put out for collection?

You may put out up to six (6) yard waste containers, provided each container is no larger than 121 liters capacity and does not weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs).  

When do I place my yard waste out for collection?

Place your yard waste at the curb by 8:00 a.m. on your Monday collection day. Check your yard waste collection schedule or download Recycle Coach from the Apple Store or from Google Play regular waste collection notifications for your address.