Big changes approved for garbage, green bin collection in Waterloo Region

The way your garbage is collected is set to drastically change in two years.

Regional Council voted “yes” to a new automated cart system Wednesday night.

The deal with Emterra Environmental will see large new carts brought in for garbage and green bin collection. Emterra Environmental will be providing those carts.

The automated system is similar to what is done in the GTA, with the Region saying the large, automated bins lead to less waste blowing around and are better for pest control.

It is also said to be safer for collection workers.

It all starts in 2026, with the $285 million agreement spanning over an 8-year period.

There is also an effort to be more environmentally friendly with the new program. The Region said the new fleet will run on compressed natural gas instead of diesel.

In the meantime, blue bin collection will not change.

Recycling collection is still the responsibility of Circular Materials, as part of the province’s move to have plastic producers fully responsible for the end-of-life management of blue box materials