How much garbage can go curbside for free? Region considers moving from four bags to three

It's all part of the strategic plan.

The Region of Waterloo says it remains focused on directing more waste away from landfills, improving recycling, and better managing organic waste.

“So we've always had it in our plans to look at our bag limits and look at reducing those numbers when time permits, when it made sense,” said Jon Arsenault, Director of Waste Management Services, Region of Waterloo.

The current per-household limit is set at four bags bi-weekly but Arsenault says the region is considering lowering that to three.

“For the most part, most residents put out well less than four, even less than three, so we suspect it'll be something that can be relatively easily implemented,” he said.

But even if it's something the region considers easily doable, Arsenault says timing also matters and, right now — during a pandemic, the timing isn't ideal.

“Recognition that more people are at home so more garbage is being generated at home,” Arsenault said. “We don't want to be unduly creating an issue for residents when there's already enough stuff going on in their lives.”

That said, while it may not be in the immediate future, it could be in the near future.

“But when I say the near future, it's still a year or two out.”