Barrie’s new garbage cart collection program offers substitute size for limited time

The new garbage and organics cart collection program launches the week of Sept. 8, 2025, in Barrie. (Source: City of Barrie)

Barrie residents have two weeks left to substitute the new garbage cart for a smaller one as part of the City’s new curbside collection program rolling out this fall.

Residents will automatically receive one 120 litre organics cart with a gravity lock and one 240 litre garbage cart at no charge sometime this summer, but those wishing to have a smaller garbage cart (120 litres) have until March 31 to make the change.

Residents who change their mind can swap out the carts for a different size starting October 25 at a cost of $50. The new carts are on display at several locations for residents to check them out and determine whether they wish to substitute for the smaller version.

Recycling will continue to be collected in the existing blue and grey bins as residential recycling is managed by Circular Materials and not the City.

“Effective January 1, 2026, Circular Materials may make changes to the way recycling is collected,” the City noted, adding that yard waste will continue to be collected manually.

The City expects a delivery schedule for the new waste and organics carts to be available in May. Upon receiving the carts, residents are asked to store them until the new automated cart collection program launches the week of Sept. 8. The carts are on wheels, and the City said the program would save crews from the heavy lifting because collection trucks use a mechanical arm to lift and empty the carts.

Residents are encouraged to write their property address with a permanent marker on the carts - there is a white space provided on the side. The City also asks residents not to exchange carts with others.

“Carts are assigned to the property address and equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a unique serial number linked to the property,” the City stated. “All collection trucks are equipped with a RFID reader and onboard computer that can help ensure carts stay with the correct property. Carts belong to the City of Barrie and are to remain with the property to which they are assigned.”

The carts are on display at the following city facilities until March 31:

• City Hall (Service Barrie, 1st floor), 70 Collier Street
• Allandale Recreation Centre, 190 Bayview Drive
• East Bayfield Community Centre, 80 Livingstone Street East
• Peggy Hill Team Community Centre, 171 Mapleton Avenue
• Parkview Centre, 189 Blake Street
• Barrie Public Library Downtown Branch, 60 Worsley Street
• Barrie Public Library Painswick Branch, 48 Dean Avenue
• Barrie Landfill & Environmental Centre, 272 Ferndale Drive North