FAQs About Norfolk's New Waste Program

Landfills across Ontario are approaching capacity, with an estimated 10 years of landfill space remaining province-wide. Without significant changes, municipalities may face higher costs and environmental impacts from transporting waste longer distances or developing new landfill sites.

Norfolk County does not have its own landfill and relies on a private landfill within Ontario for its disposal needs.

A recent waste audit found that over 40% of residential garbage in Norfolk is organic material that could be composted. This includes food scraps, tissues, and other biodegradable items.  

• In urban areas, 44.97% of waste was compostable 
• In rural areas, 42.84% of waste was compostable 

By using the new green bin program, residents can help divert this material from landfills, reduce environmental impact, and support a more sustainable waste system. 

Review the 2024 Norfolk County Urban and Rural Waste Composition Audit (PDF). 

Yes. The 2024 waste audit showed that 42–46% of residential garbage is organic waste that could be diverted through composting. By introducing a green bin program and reducing the garbage bag limit, Norfolk County aims to divert more waste from landfill, extend landfill lifespan, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

If waste continues to grow unchecked, Norfolk may face higher disposal costs, environmental risks, and limited landfill options in the future. 

Yes. The Government of Ontario wants communities to send less waste to landfills and recycle and compost more. Norfolk County’s new waste collection program supports this goal by:

• Starting a green bin program for food and organic waste
• Expanding yard waste collection
• Reducing the number of garbage bags allowed each week 

These changes help protect the environment and follow the province’s direction to make waste management more sustainable.

Norfolk County’s new waste collection program aligns with Ontario’s goals by launching a county-wide green bin program, expanding yard waste collection, reducing the residential garbage limit, and continuing recycling under the producer responsibility framework. 

Possibly. As provincial policies evolve, Norfolk County will continue to adapt its waste management strategies to meet environmental and regulatory goals.

Carts will be delivered to homes from August 24 to September 25, 2026. Find the schedule and read more about cart delivery.

No. Unfortunately, we’re not able to accommodate requests for specific delivery dates or alternate pick-up options.

If you expect to be away during this time, we recommend arranging for a neighbour, friend, or family member to move the carts from the end of your driveway to a secure location near your home once they’re delivered.

No. Garbage and green carts will be provided to each property at no additional cost. 

Yes. Each household will receive an organics cart and a small kitchen bin. 

Yes. A kitchen container will be provided with the organics cart. Residents are encouraged to use the small kitchen bin to collect scraps and transfer the scraps to their organics cart. 

Carts must be stored on your property in a location that does not obstruct sidewalks or roadways. 

The cart change request period ran from April to June 2026 and is currently paused to allow for deliveries from August 24 to September 25, 2026. Cart change requests will be available again beginning December 1, 2026, at no cost. Beginning April 1, 2027, a fee will apply to new cart change requests.

The following cart options are available:

• Residential properties will automatically receive one 240 L garbage cart (fits 3-4 garbage bags) and one 120 L organics cart. Residents can choose to receive the smaller 120 L garbage cart (fits 1-2 garbage bags)
• Residential farm properties will automatically receive one 360 L garbage cart (fits 5-6 garbage bags) and one 120 L organics cart. To accommodate farm workers, residential farm properties can request a second garbage cart, a second organics cart, and/or a smaller garbage cart
• Commercial properties must pre-register to receive municipal waste collection services starting on Monday, September 28, 2026, under the new program. Commercial properties that register will automatically receive one 360 L garbage cart (fits 5-6 garbage bags) and one 120 L organics cart. Commercial properties can request a second garbage cart, a second organics cart, and/or a smaller garbage cart.

No. Additional carts can not be purchased.

No. Each cart has a unique serial number that is assigned to your property. Carts cannot be switched between properties. If you need a different cart size, you must request an exchange through Norfolk County.

No, each cart has a serial number that is assigned to the property.

When moving to a new home, leave your carts at your old home for the new residents to use.

If you are moving to a newly constructed home, you will need to contact ServiceNorfolk at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0, to arrange for delivery of waste carts to your new home. Requests should be made two weeks before moving in to ensure the carts can be delivered before your new home’s first scheduled collection day.

If you are moving into a resale home, use the carts that are already at your new home. If the carts at your new home are not suitable for your family’s needs, are damaged, or there are no carts at your new home when you move in, please contact ServiceNorfolk at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0.

If you are a tenant moving into a rental property, please use the carts that are already at your new home. If the carts are not suitable for your household’s needs, please contact your landlord, property owner or property management company, as only the property owner is permitted to request a cart exchange.

Property owners can request cart repairs. Read more about how to report a waste cart issue.

Some grey garbage carts and green organics cart lids may not fit tightly when they are first delivered because of the way the carts are shipped and stored. In most cases, the lid will settle into place on its own.

To help the lid fit properly:

• Close the lid securely
• Leave the cart in direct sunlight for a day, if possible
• Check the lid again once the cart has had time to warm up and settle

If the lid still does not fit properly, please submit an online waste cart issue.

New organics cart lids can sometimes be stiff when first delivered, or the lid may not be fully aligned.

If the gravity lock does not appear to be working:

1. Open and close the lid firmly several times
2. Ensure the lid is fully closed after each attempt
3. Test the gravity lock again

In most cases, this resolves the issue. If the problem continues after trying these steps, please report a waste cart issue.

Video tip: Getting your green organics cart lid to align

Read more on Report a Waste Cart Issue.

Read more on Report a Waste Cart Issue.

Read more on Report a Waste Cart Issue.

Read more on Report a Waste Cart Issue.

Yes. Delivery of the green cart is mandatory for any property receiving Norfolk County waste collection services. The garbage and organics carts are owned by Norfolk County and assigned to your property.

Curbside audits show 40-45 percent of Norfolk County's curbside garbage is organic waste that could be diverted from our landfill. The new green cart will help get food and organic waste out of the garbage.

When food waste goes to a landfill, it is buried without oxygen under more garbage. In these conditions, it breaks down very slowly and actually produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Due to a lack of oxygen, food and other materials can remain mostly intact for years, rather than fully decomposing.

Composting food waste is different. Food waste breaks down naturally with oxygen and can be turned back into healthy soil to help grow new food, creating a more sustainable, circular system instead of just adding more waste to the landfill.

While home composting is a great way to reduce waste and lower your household’s carbon footprint, municipal composting programs offer the ability to compost items not suitable for home composters, such as meat, bones, dairy, and food-soiled paper. These programs also offer industrial-scale processes that can produce large amounts of consistently high-quality compost in less time.

By incorporating the organics cart program into your household’s already environmentally friendly waste management practices, you can further increase the amount of organic waste your household diverts from landfills.

For a list, visit our Organic Waste Collection webpage. 

Yes. Certified compostable bags are accepted inside the organics cart.

It is recommended to line your kitchen container (which comes with your organics cart) with either certified compostable bags/liners or with newspaper. Those bags/liners can then be placed inside your green cart.

You can buy kitchen bags and liners at:

• Canadian Tire
• Walmart
• Amazon

Certified bags/liners must display either the BPI or BNQ logo to be accepted in Norfolk County's green cart. Look for these symbols to make sure the bags are compostable:

No, these stickers are not compostable as they are typically made from plastic and glue that will not break down. Stickers should be removed before placing fruits and vegetables in the organics cart or, better yet, look for and purchase fruits and vegetables without these stickers to avoid the problem altogether.

Yes. The organics cart is designed to be secure and will have a gravity lock to keep the bin secure from animals. 

The small organics kitchen bin measures approximately 9" L x 12" W x 9" H. It holds approximately 7 litres of kitchen scraps.

No. Kitchen containers are for indoor use only and will not be collected. Empty the contents into your green cart and place only the green cart at the curb for collection. Norfolk County's automated collection trucks are designed to collect green carts only.

No. Pet waste is non-compostable and must be placed in your regular garbage carts. Pet waste should be securely bagged to reduce odours and prevent contamination of other waste streams.

Pet waste cannot go into the organics cart.

Some municipalities do accept pet waste in their organics programs. However, acceptance depends on the specific composting facility and how the material is processed.

Pet waste isn’t accepted in the green cart in Norfolk County because our composting facility is designed for food and yard waste only.

Pet waste can contain harmful bacteria that are not fully removed during the composting process, which can limit the uses for the finished compost. 

• Organic waste (green cart) and recycling will be collected every week
• Garbage (grey cart) will be collected every other week (bi-weekly)
• All waste must be at the road by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day

Read more about the new collection schedule, and use our online tool to look up the new collection schedule for your property. 

Starting Monday, September 28, 2026, waste collection will use carts.

Read more about the waste carts, including their size and capacity. 

Only waste placed entirely inside the cart, with the lid fully closed, will be collected.

No. Waste will not be collected if placed beside the cart.

No. Bag tags are not part of Norfolk County's new waste program and are not available.

To reduce smells, residents should use the green bin for organic waste. Adding baking soda to garbage carts can also help reduce smells. Cleaning carts regularly is also recommended. 

Diapers are non-compostable and must be placed in your regular garbage cart.

Norfolk County recognizes that home daycares or households with multiple children in diapers may not have enough space in a single standard garbage cart.

Eligible properties can apply for a large garbage cart or a second standard garbage cart. Learn more about applying for waste exceptions.

Norfolk County recognizes that some households may produce more waste due to unique circumstances, such as: 

• Home daycares
• Managing medical conditions 
• Having multiple infants or toddlers 

Norfolk County recognizes that households with multiple children in diapers may not have enough space in a single standard garbage cart. Eligible households can apply for a large garbage cart or a second standard garbage cart. To see if your household qualifies and to apply, visit Applying for waste exceptions.

Yes. 

Garbage and organics collection will continue on the side of the road where your waste is currently collected. In rural areas, where homes are farther apart, this approach helps reduce unnecessary travel, lowering costs and reducing wear and tear on collection trucks.

If there is any change to your collection location or set‑out requirements, Norfolk County will contact affected residents directly with clear instructions before the new program begins. 

We understand that some rural residents may have properties with long driveways, which can pose a challenge.

For rural properties, residents may choose to keep their carts near the end of the driveway and bring materials to them as needed. On collection day, carts must be placed at the edge of your driveway at the municipal road for pickup.

Norfolk County’s new waste collection program will only collect waste using the supplied carts. There are no alternative collection methods available.

For many residents, carts are easier to use than carrying bags because they roll on wheels, reducing the need to lift. If you need help moving your cart to the curb, we recommend asking a family member, neighbour, or someone in your community, such as a student, to assist you on collection day.

No. Residents are encouraged to repurpose their old garbage cans for use around the home, such as for storage or yard work.

If you no longer need your old garbage cans, they can be taken to a County transfer station for disposal. Please note that regular disposal fees will apply.

Recycling will continue on a weekly basis using the two-bin system, but it’s important to note that this service is no longer operated by Norfolk County. Under Ontario’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, producers are now responsible for managing and funding the residential recycling system.

While the current collection method remains the same, changes may occur after the full transition to EPR. Norfolk County will continue to share updates as the program evolves.

Read more about Recycling.

Yes. Yard waste collection will be expanded to run for 14 weeks annually and include nine additional hamlet areas.

Current areas:

• Courtland
• Delhi
• Langton
• Long Point
• Port Dover
• Port Rowan
• Simcoe
• St. Williams
• Turkey Point
• Vittoria
• Waterford

An additional nine hamlet areas will be added:

• Booths Harbour (top of the hill)
• Fernlea
• Gilbertville
• Normandale
• Lynedoch
• Pinegrove
• Port Ryerse
• Walsingham
• Wilsonville

Read more about yard waste collection and find the zone for your area.

Bulky items will continue to be collected monthly by appointment. Fees apply. Read more about Bulky Item Pick-Up.

Household hazardous waste includes substances that may harm humans, animals, or the environment when not handled properly and can pollute groundwater, lakes, rivers, and soil when disposed of improperly.

Residents are encouraged to dispose of their household hazardous waste at a Norfolk County depot event.

Under the new curbside collection program, farm properties with bunkhouses can receive two large garbage carts (360 litres each), collected every other week. Read more about how to request two large garbage carts. 

If your farm operation and bunkhouse generate more garbage than will fit into two large carts, Norfolk County cannot collect the extra waste. In this case, the property owner must arrange for private waste collection for the excess garbage.

This requirement is consistent with the current Waste Management By-law, which limits garbage collection from farm properties to the equivalent of eight bags per collection. Properties that exceed this limit today already must arrange private collection services. The new program maintains this approach, replacing bag limits with cart limits.

Commercial properties must register to participate in the new waste collection program.

Registration will be available again starting on September 28, 2026.

According to MPAC classification, churches or 'places of worship' have a 700-series MPAC code, which makes them a commercial property. Read more on the MPAC website.

Churches can receive municipal waste collection if they register as a commercial property and if they can fit their garbage needs into one large (360L) garbage cart and one 120L green organics cart.

Registered commercial properties can also request a smaller garbage cart, or a second garbage and/or organics cart if needed.

Residential condominium developments may be eligible for curbside waste collection, but they must first submit an application. Norfolk County will review site plans and check that the property meets the technical guidelines. To request an application, email waste@norfolkcounty.ca or call 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0.

Condominiums that include commercial or industrial units, or buildings with multiple residential units (such as apartment‑style buildings), are not eligible.

To qualify, the property must meet all requirements in Norfolk County’s Technical Guidelines for Condominium Waste Collection, including: 

• Roads and driveways must allow collection trucks to move safely without reversing. 
• Waste must be placed at the end of each unit’s own driveway. 
• Shared or common collection points are not allowed. 

If a condominium corporation does not meet the required guidelines, it must use private waste collection. 

Condo boards or property managers can request an application by emailing waste@norfolkcounty.ca or call 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0.

County staff will assess site plans and alignment with technical guidelines to determine if the development is eligible for curbside waste collection services. 

Units in duplexes, triplexes, and buildings with up to six units will each receive their own garbage and organics cart.

The number of garbage and organics carts delivered to multi-unit properties will be determined based on the property’s MPAC classification. For example:

• 332 Typically, a duplex residential structure with two self-contained units
• 333 Residential property with three self-contained units
• 334 Residential property with four self-contained units
• 335 Residential property with five self-contained units
• 336 Residential property with six self-contained units

Units that are not registered with MPAC WILL NOT receive garbage or organics carts.

Read more on the MPAC website.

Buildings with seven or more units must arrange for private collection.

Services vary by building type. Multi‑residential social housing properties not already using private waste collection services must coordinate private collection arrangements before September 28, 2026.

Social housing units with individual driveways on municipal streets may use curb-side collection if they follow Norfolk County’s residential waste rules. Social housing units with internal private roadways must meet Norfolk County’s Technical Guidelines for Condominium Waste Collection Services to be eligible for curbside waste collection services. 

The previous curbside waste collection contract was awarded in 2017. Since then, costs have risen significantly due to inflation, labour shortages, higher vehicle and equipment costs, and market pressures across Ontario. 

The estimated cost for the first full year of the new program is $7.99 million, which is $2.75 million less than originally projected. This will result in a 2.8% increase to the net levy requirement. 

Also see the question: Is automated collection cost-effective?

The increase will be phased in:

• 2026: $1,016,500 added to the budget (an approximate 0.8% increase) due to the contract starting in September
• 2027: $2,759,100 added (impact is still to be determined, likely less than 2.0%).

Yes. The County will invest $5,029,000 to procure garbage and green bin carts. This cost will be fully funded by investment income from the Legacy Fund, meaning no impact to the tax levy. 

Yes. Even after factoring in the cost of carts, automated collection was the lowest bid received among all service models evaluated. 

The chart below is from the report to Council and shows the cost difference between manual and automated garbage and green bin collection.

Scroll the table horizontally on smaller screens to see all columns.

Automated collection uses mechanical arms on trucks to lift and empty carts, reducing manual labour and improving efficiency. 

Automated collection offers several benefits: lower long-term costs, improved worker safety, faster and more consistent service, and reduced litter and animal interference due to secure carts.

No. In fact, it is expected to enhance service reliability and reduce missed pickups, especially in adverse weather conditions. 

Yes. Even after factoring in the cost of carts, automated collection was the lowest bid received among all service models evaluated. 

The chart below is from the report to Council and shows the cost difference between manual and automated garbage and green bin collection.

Scroll the table horizontally on smaller screens to see all columns.

Norfolk County followed a formal and transparent procurement process in accordance with its Purchasing Policy. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was publicly issued and accessible to all interested vendors. While eight companies initially obtained the bid documents, only one proposal was ultimately submitted. Several vendors cited challenges such as: 

• The high cost of setting up operations in Norfolk County 
• Limited resources and rising costs in the waste sector 
• Difficulty competing under current market conditions 

These factors reflect broader industry pressures, including inflation, labour shortages, and equipment costs. Although the County cannot compel vendors to bid, the process ensured fairness, transparency, and value for taxpayers.