Garbage pickup in Calgary is run by the City through three carts. Knowing which cart goes out when, and what the City will not collect, saves overflowing bins and wasted trips. The short version: everyday garbage, recycling and organics are covered, but bulky items are not.
Calgary’s three-cart system
| Cart | What goes in | Collection frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Black cart | Household garbage | Every other week |
| Blue cart | Recycling: paper, cardboard, plastics, cans, glass | Weekly, year-round |
| Green cart | Food scraps and yard waste | Weekly April–October; every other week November–March |
Source: City of Calgary (calgary.ca), 2026. Collection days changed for many households in April; check your current schedule.
Find your garbage collection day
Use the cart schedule lookup at calgary.ca or download the Calgary Garbage Day app for your schedule and reminders. Carts usually need to be out by early morning on collection day; check the City’s current guidance.
What Calgary garbage collection will not take
Key fact: Calgary has no curbside bulky-item pickup. City garbage trucks do not collect large items such as sofas, mattresses or appliances on regular routes, and garbage left beside a full cart is not taken.
Items that need another route include:
- Furniture and mattresses
- Appliances, especially fridges and freezers (refrigerant)
- Electronics and TVs (free at Eco Centres)
- Household hazardous waste: paint, chemicals, propane tanks, batteries
- Construction and renovation debris
- Large amounts of yard waste beyond the green cart
Your options for bulky items
1. City Landfills and Eco Centres
East Calgary, Shepard and Spyhill each have a Landfill and Eco Centre. Shepard and Spyhill are closed on Sundays. The City lists Eco Centres as the best drop-off for furniture, appliances and construction materials. Key 2026 residential rates: household garbage $113 per tonne (or $25 flat under 250 kg), $17 refrigerant surcharge per fridge or freezer plus weight, and a $275 hard-to-handle surcharge for bulky, low-weight loads. Electronics, tires and household hazardous waste are free for residents.
2. Community Cleanup events
The City’s Community Cleanups run on set dates from roughly late April through September in host communities, and are open to all Calgarians. They are a free way to drop off oversized household items that do not fit in the black cart.
- Accepted: furniture (desks, chairs, sofas, old mattresses), toilets, recalled or broken recreational products
- Not accepted: car batteries, glass (window panes, glass table tops), appliances with refrigerant, microwaves, liquids, large metal items (lawnmowers, BBQs), railway ties, sod or dirt, and household hazardous waste
Dates are listed at calgary.ca/cleanups.
3. Donation
Usable furniture and household goods can go to charities, some of which pick up. See free furniture removal and donation in Calgary.
4. Private junk removal
If you have no vehicle, the item is heavy or upstairs, or the next Community Cleanup is months away, a junk removal company collects from inside your home. Published Calgary prices we reviewed in October 2026 start around $75–$110 for a single item. See the price guide or our guides to furniture, mattress and appliance removal.
Do not dump it
Leaving furniture, mattresses or bags in alleys, beside bins or in vacant lots is illegal dumping. It hurts neighbourhoods and the City enforces it. If you see illegal dumping, report it to 311.
Garbage pickup outside Calgary
Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere each run their own waste programs with different cart schedules and drop-off sites. Check your municipality’s website for local rules. Junk removal requests from those communities are accepted; see the service area page.
Frequently asked questions
How often is garbage picked up in Calgary?
Black cart garbage is collected every other week. Blue cart recycling is collected weekly year-round. Green carts are collected weekly from April to October and every other week from November to March.
How do I find my garbage collection day?
Use the cart schedule lookup at calgary.ca or the Calgary Garbage Day app, which can also send reminders.
Does the City of Calgary do junk removal?
Not at the curb. The City runs landfills and Eco Centres where you can drop off bulky items (fees apply) and free Community Cleanup events in spring and summer, but it does not collect furniture or appliances from homes.
What happens if my garbage does not fit in the black cart?
Extra garbage beyond the cart is not collected on regular routes. Take it to a landfill, use a Community Cleanup event for bulky items, or book a private junk removal service.