Residential Waste Collection FAQs

Please watch the video explaining how to use your cart. Alternatively, detailed instructions accompany your new cart, including diagrams and instructions on how to place it for pick up.  In the event that you do not receive that instructional tag with your new cart, and/or you inadvertently put your cart in the wrong place, our service provider will leave a notice attached to your cart to help you place it properly for next time. As long as there is enough space around your cart for the truck’s robotic arm to lift and empty your cart, and the cart lid was properly closed, you should be fine.

If you move, do not take your cart.  Please leave it with the house – a new cart should be waiting for you at your next home. In the case of moving to a newly constructed home, you may request a cart when you set up your new utility account. You can use our interactive map to cross reference your home address with our collection zones. 

All households receive a standard 95 gallon cart, which holds about the same amount of garbage as three full-size aluminum garbage cans.  Other sizes of carts are not available because the collection truck’s robotic arm is designed for the 95 gallon size.

First, remember that the routes aren't always timed the exact same each week. It can be emptied anywhere from 7am-5pm on your garbage day. 

However if your collection truly is missed, first check for a tag on your cart that identifies the problem. If there isn't a notice left on your cart, please email cartsmart@swiftcurrent.ca with your address and details of your experience, or call the number on your cart: 306-778-1625. We will notify our service provider. 
 
To help you troubleshoot the problem, here are some typical reasons for missed pick-ups:

• Your cart was not placed before 7:00 a.m. on collection day
• There was not enough space around your cart to enable collection. 
• The lid of your cart was not fully closed. 
• There was a prohibited item or heavy item(s) identified in your cart. 

Please watch the video explaining how to use your cart. Your cart is for the same household waste you usually put in garbage cans. It is best practice to put your household garbage in bags rather than depositing loose materials in your cart, to reduce odour and keep your cart clean. Keep recyclable materials, like paper and cardboard, and yard waste out of your garbage cart to free up a lot of space for other waste. You may take recyclables to the City Recycle Depot and take advantage of the Yard Waste Program each year. Remember, your cart lid must be fully closed to receive collection, so saving space is in your best interests. 

Hazardous waste, heavy materials, dangerous goods and bio-waste should stay out of your cart and taken elsewhere (see list of locations below). If these materials have been placed in your cart, our service provider may leave you a note asking you to remove them and refrain from placing these materials in your cart again. For a quick visual of examples please watch the video. 

Please dispose responsibly: 

• Recyclables: Whenever possible, it's in your best interest to keep recyclables out of your cart. Take recyclables to the City Recycle Depot (1101 North Railway Street East) or SARCAN (995 Cheadle Street West).
• Hazardous Waste and Dangerous Goods: These include flammable, corrosive, toxic or explosive materials; paint; oil and oil filters; batteries - these can be taken to the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Day
• Heavy Materials: These include bricks, dirt, sod, concrete, large quantities of yard waste and/or wood that can be taken to the City’s Landfill. If your cart contains heavy items, the bottom of the cart can fall out while emptying, which poses safety concerns and causes damages. For free disposal of yard waste and tree branches, we recommend that you take advantage of the City's residential collection sites. 
• Metals: These materials can typically be recycled or taken to scrap metal collection businesses. 
• Bio-Waste: This includes animal carcasses or other biological waste that can be taken to the City’s Landfill. 
• Pressure Tanks or Aerosol: Materials like propane tanks and aerosol cans can explode under the pressure and compaction of a collection truck. Propane tanks and aerosol cans can be disposed of at Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Incompatible materials: Do not put hot coals, ashes or sharp metal objects in your cart – these will melt and/or slice the plastic cart, causing damage and safety concerns.

Your 95 gallon cart holds about the same amount of garbage as three full-size aluminum garbage cans. If you have more garbage than your cart can hold, consider taking it directly to the Landfill (subject to applicable residential disposal fees) or storing it in a secure location until your cart is emptied. Extra bags left beside your cart will not be collected. Additionally, the lid of your cart must be fully closed in order for the truck's robotic arm to safely empty the cart. If you leave extra garbage around your cart, or if the lid is not fully closed, you may receive a notice that your cart could not be safely emptied on your collection day. Every effort is made by our service provider, to educate residents via notices left on the cart detailing why collection could not be safely performed. 

If you wish to skip a week’s collection, for any reason, do not put out your cart. Put your cart out on your scheduled collection day when you are ready to have it picked up and emptied.

Your cart is sturdy, lightweight and easy to roll, making it safe for you to transport garbage for collection. If you have difficulty moving your cart, ask a neighbor, friend or family member to roll it out for you. If your cart shows a damaged wheel, call 306-778-1625 and we will arrange a wheel replacement. 

The responsibility for the care of your cart is yours. We would suggest that you ask a neighbor, friend or family member to roll it out and back into your yard for you.

You can avoid cart damage, vandalism or tampering by returning your cart to your yard after your garbage has been collected. 

You can avoid cart damage, vandalism or tampering by returning your cart to your yard after your garbage has been collected. If damage or vandalism does occur, call the City at 306-778-1625 or email cartsmart@swiftcurrent.ca and we will arrange for repair or replacement.

When you apply for utility connection at City Hall, you will be assigned a garbage cart. If your home is still under construction, there may be a delay in delivery of your cart until there is a safe place to store it on your property. This courtesy will ensure your cart doesn't get lost or stolen. Call 306-778-1625 or email cartsmart@swiftcurrent.ca if you have not yet received your cart at possession.

Repurpose your old garbage can. Keep and use it for storage of other household materials and recyclables, or for easy collection of grass clippings to transport to the Residential Yard Waste sites. If it is no longer usable, and made of aluminum, take it to Diamond Steel or Swift Current Steel to get recycled.  If it is no longer usable, and is made of #2 plastic (check the bottom), take it to the Swift Current Recycle Depot to be recycled.

You may transport yard waste and tree branches to the community yard waste sites. Please read all about the Residential Yard Waste Program here.  You may also take yard waste and eligible tree branches to the landfill for free disposal if: you de-bag your yard waste as directed on site, your load is under 500 kg and your tree branches meet allowable specifications. 

There are no immediate plans to introduce recycling carts or yard waste carts in Swift Current. 

Your garbage cart has a serial number linked to the home address. We strongly encourage you to write your house number on your cart, or copy the serial number down, in case your cart gets mixed up with others. The care and storage of your cart is your responsibility. 

Please watch the video explaining how to use your cart. To keep your cart clean and working properly, we suggest putting your garbage in bags and tying the bags up before placing them in your cart. Bagging all garbage will also help keep loose materials from blowing down the street or alley or into your neighbor’s yard when it is being dumped into the truck, and/or prevents heavy odours coming from your cart in the hot summer months. We also suggest giving your cart a good rinsing with the garden hose at least once a year.

Collection of your garbage will occur every week, year round, including 6 statutory holidays, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday. For these exceptions, see the Holiday Schedule for alternate days to put out your cart.

With the implementation of garbage carts, you no longer require your garbage stand. You can dismantle and dispose of it in an appropriate manner. Please do not dispose of the demolition materials from your dismantled garbage stand in your cart. Either repurpose the materials or take them to the landfill.