Waste Management Fees & Rates

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The City of Edmonton provides waste services to all Edmontonian residents according to the Waste Services Bylaw (18590). Residents pay a waste utility rate that matches the service they receive:

Residential Curbside Collection: Customers whose waste is collected in carts at the curb or in the alley
Residential Communal Collection: Customers who put their waste in a bin in a shared collection area (typically condominiums or apartments)

Utility Rates

Edmontonians pay for waste services through a monthly utility rate. This service is not funded by property taxes.

Your monthly waste rate allows the City to provide the following waste services:

Waste collection from all Edmonton residences:
- Curbside food scraps, yard waste, recycling and garbage collection
- Communal bin garbage and recycling collection for apartments and condos
- Assisted Waste program for residents with mobility challenges
Waste drop-off facilities:
- Eco Stations
- Recycle Depots
- Big Bin events
Landfill fees and transport
Environmental compliance:
- Landfill closure and post-closure costs
- Odour monitoring
- Research and development
Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) operations:
- Operations and maintenance at the Integrated Processing and Transfer Facility
- EWMC site operations and maintenance
- Scalehouse operations
Operations and maintenance at the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Facility
Operations and maintenance at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

Organics processing:
- Anaerobic Digestion Facility
- EWMC compost cure site
- Transport to off-site organics processing
Waste education and reduction:
- Education programs
- Cart Rollout outreach
- EWMC tours
- Master Composter Recycler (MCR) program
- Compost School and home composting education
- Waste Reduction Roadmap implementation
Utility management and support functions:
- Occupational health and safety
- Technology
- Waste customer support
- Billing
- Workforce development
- Asset management
- Operational planning and project delivery
Amortization and repayment on Waste Services capital asset purchases:
- Vehicles
- Facilities
- Waste processing equipment
- Waste containers (carts and bins)

Monthly Rate Infographic

Your waste rate covers more than just collection. This infographic shows where dollars are going, and how all ratepayers contribute to a well-functioning waste management system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to exchange my cart?

An account holder can exchange their cart to a different size one time at a service address free of charge. A second or any subsequent cart size exchanges by an account holder for the same service address will be subject to an $18.50 service charge.

Learn more about exchanging your cart

How much does it cost to service my cart?

Cart maintenance is free of charge including travel time and administrative costs where the account holder has provided access to the cart(s) for maintenance staff on the scheduled day. A service fee of $18.50 will be charged for each subsequent trip maintenance personnel are required to complete due to inaccessibility of the cart.

How much does it cost to replace my cart?

Account holders will be charged the applicable fee listed below for any cart that must be replaced at a service address. These fees are applicable where carts are missing, lost, or have experienced significant damage:

Cart Type	Size	Fee
Garbage	120L	$62
Food Scraps	120L	$62.50
Garbage	240L	$69.50
Garbage	360L	$79.50

Why is there no increase to the communal rate?

There is no increase to the communal waste utility rate at this time because there has been no change to communal collection this year. The October rate adjustment is only to ensure residents receiving curbside or alley collection are receiving the service they are paying for. Those residences that opted for a smaller cart will see a decrease in their waste rates.

The annual rate adjustment will take effect on January 1.

If this adjustment is not meant to cover the cost of the rollout, why is the default (240L garbage cart) rate increasing? Shouldn’t there just be a decrease for residents with the smaller cart?

Although some customers will pay a bit more and some a bit less depending on their cart size starting in October 2021, the total amount of revenue collected will remain the same as in 2020. This is equivalent to a zero per cent rate increase.

This $5 rate difference between cart sizes is a financial incentive to encourage residents to make good use of their available disposal options, and properly sort waste into food scraps (food scraps cart), recycling (blue bags), garbage (garbage cart) and yard waste (topped up in the food scraps cart or separated for seasonal collection).

The largest garbage cart (360L) is too expensive-the rate increase is too significant. It’s not fair to large families or residents who have medical waste.

The additional fee reflects the additional cost for collecting and processing the extra volume. As well, since the 25-year Waste Strategy sets ambitious goals for reducing and diverting waste, the higher rate for excess garbage acts as a financial incentive to encourage residents to make good use of their available disposal options and properly sort their materials.

Why are Edmonton’s waste fees so much higher than Calgary’s waste fees?

It’s difficult to compare costs across municipalities as strategic goals, programs and services, costs and funding mechanisms all vary. There are a number of reasons why Edmonton's waste fees appear higher than Calgary’s.

In addition to the fees residents pay for their Blue, Green and Black Cart programs, Calgary Waste and Recycling Services receives tax-support of approximately $20 million/year. This means that in addition to Calgary's waste fees, residents pay for a portion of their waste services within their municipal taxes.

By comparison, property taxes are not used to fund any Waste programs in Edmonton. Edmonton’s Waste programs and services have been funded solely by a “user fee” from the waste utility rate since 2009. This rate revenue is used to fund all of the branch’s activities and investments, including capital costs for projects like an improved organic processing facility and the automated trucks and carts for the Edmonton Cart Rollout.

Why can’t Edmonton adopt the same model as Calgary so we too are tax funded and will have lower fees?

As a utility, the actual revenue and expenses of Waste Services are strictly scrutinized by an independent Utility Advisor and the City’s Utility Committee. In instances where the budgeted revenue or expenses of the utility vary from actual revenue or expenses, retained earnings are used to offset higher than forecast expenses or reduce future rate increases as part of the commitment to consistent and stable rates outlined in the City’s Waste Services Utility Fiscal Policy .

Utility Committee and City Council have affirmed this model for its rigour, transparency and accountability to Edmonton’s waste utility ratepayers. As part of the Waste Services Utility Fiscal Policy, the City remains committed to low and stable rate increases that provide consistent value for money for waste customers in Edmonton.

Monthly Waste Rates

Residents receiving cart collection will see a rate adjustment on their EPCOR bill for Waste Services in the October 2021 billing cycle. Our whole way of collecting and processing waste is changing, and the new rate structure reflects that.

Previously, residents paid a rate based on their type of residence, either single- or multi-unit. Now, rates will reflect the type of waste collection service received, either curbside (cart) or communal (bin) collection.

Residential Curbside Collection

The monthly waste rates are:

$43.32 for Small (120L) garbage cart
$48.32 for Large (240L) garbage cart
$58.32 for Excess (360L) garbage cart

If you regularly produce less garbage, request a smaller garbage cart.

Residential Bin Collection

The monthly rate effective January 1, 2021 is:

$30.69 for residents living in multi-unit buildings with communal bin collection

Residences transitioning from Communal to Curbside Rate

About 22,000 multi-unit residences that formerly paid the multi-unit waste rate are now receiving cart collection. These residents are in the process of transitioning to the curbside rate, to ensure the rate they are paying reflects the service they are receiving.

The rate will be adjusted over 5 years to prevent rate shock.

The monthly rate effective January 1, 2022 is:

$41.27 for residents who began transitioning on January 1, 2020
$37.74 for residents who began the transition in 2021

Eco Station Fees

Prices in effect as of January 1, 2022.

Please stay at home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and follow all Government of Alberta requirements for isolation if you are experiencing symptoms.

Note: Eco Station attendants have final say about the acceptability of items and the charges applied to each load.

Please allow 6 feet of room, if possible, around staff and other visitors while at Eco Stations.

Drop-off for a Fee (minimum charge: $10)

Item	Charge	Description
Small Items	$10 per item	Chair or comparable volume Must not contain any food scraps, yard waste or recycling
Large Items	$20 per item	Sofa or comparable volume
Mattress or Box Spring	$18 per item
CFC Removal	$20 per item	Fridge, freezer, air conditioner
Lighting (non-residential)	$1 per tube and 50 cents per CFL	All light bulbs, except fluorescent light ballasts containing PCB
Loose Waste / Mixed Load	Partial load: $30 per load	Mixed soil / gravel, lumber, concrete pieces, wood or vinyl siding, shingles, windows, fencing, yard waste in plastic bags Over 10 garbage bags will be charged as a partial load
	Level half-tonne: $40 per load
	Heaping half-tonne: $50 per load
	All other vehicle types: $50+ per load	Cube van, trailer, and others load are subject to additional fees; these are based on load volume, not vehicle type
Household Garbage	$9	3-6 clear bags

Drop-off Fees (Residential Only)

Items	Description
Appliances	Lawnmowers, power tools, stoves, washing machines
Batteries	All kinds. Learn more about recycling your batteries
Electronics	This includes anything with a cord or battery such as: Old computer components Cell phones Phones, fax machines, answering machines Power tools, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers
Household Garbage	Up to 2 clear garbage bags. Must not contain any food scraps, yard waste or recycling Waste in non-clear bags will be subject to fees
Household Hazardous Waste	This includes items such as: Automotive: motor oil, oil filters, car batteries, antifreeze, gas, diesel, rust remover, all automotive fluids Chemicals and cleaners: bleach, drain, toilet, oven cleaners, spot removers; herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, photo chemicals and glues Lighting: all light bulbs, fluorescent tubes/ballasts, lighting fixtures Paint and stains: including aerosols, full or empty, maximum container size - 20 litres Other: aerosol cans, caulking, cement powder, fire extinguishers, propane tanks or bottles, smoke detectors, needles and syringes
Recyclable Materials	Newspaper, metal cans, plastic bags Clean, segregated
Scrap Metal	BBQs, bicycles, rebar Clean, segregated
Tires	Only tires managed under the Provincial Tire Recycling Program
Yard Waste (residential and non-residential)	This includes loose or paper bagged, clean and segregated: Yard waste: bark, grass clippings, fallen tree fruits, houseplants, leaves, mulch, pine cones and needles, woodchips, and yard and garden trimmings Branches and trees: sticks and twigs, stumps, tree roots, tree trimmings and trunks

Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) Fees

Drop-Off for a Fee

Item	Charge per Tonne	Minimum Charge
Residential Waste	$70	$20
Non-residential Waste	$100	$40
Charitable Organization Waste	$28	$20
CFC removal (residential) - fridge, freezer, air conditioner	$70 ($20 surcharge per item in addition to per tonne fee)	$20
CFC removal (non-residential) - fridge, freezer, air conditioner	$100 ($20 surcharge per item in addition to per tonne fee)	$40
Mattresses or Box Springs (residential)	$70 ($18 surcharge per item in addition to per tonne fee)	$20
Mattresses or Box Springs (non-residential)	$100 ($18 surcharge per item in addition to per tonne fee)	$40
Soil (clean, residential only)	$70	$20
Special Handling*	$134	$134
Tires (Not managed under the Provincial Tire Recycling Program)	$134	$134
Yard Waste (in plastic bags)	$45	$20
Branches and Trees (non-residential only)	These are accepted by KBL Environmental, an independent contractor. For fees and list of accepted materials contact KBL Environmental.

*For more information and requirements regarding Special Handling please call 311.

For clean, segregated loads of mattresses or box springs, only the surcharge will be applied. If mattresses are mixed with other waste, a minimum charge and the surcharge will be applied.

Note: All waste is charged based on weight. Vehicles are weighed in and payment is made on the outbound scale. Payment options currently include cash, debit and credit card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express).

EWMC staff has final say about acceptability of any waste and the fees charged.

Free Drop-Off (Residential Only)

Item	Description
Appliances	Lawnmowers, power tools, stoves, washing machines
Batteries	All kinds
Electronics	This includes anything with a cord or battery such as: Old computer components Cell phones Phones, fax machines, answering machines Power tools, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers
Household Hazardous Waste	This includes items such as: Automotive: motor oil, oil filters, car batteries, antifreeze, gas, diesel, rust remover, all automotive fluids Chemicals and cleaners: bleach, drain, toilet, oven cleaners, spot removers; herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, photo chemicals and glues Lighting: all light bulbs, fluorescent tubes/ballasts, lighting fixtures Paint and stains: including aerosols, full or empty, maximum container size - 20 litres Other: aerosol cans, caulking, cement powder, fire extinguishers, propane tanks or bottles, smoke detectors, needles and syringes
Recyclable Materials	Newspaper, metal cans, plastic bags Clean, segregated
Scrap Metal	BBQs, bicycles, rebar Clean, segregated
Tires	Only tires managed under the Provincial Tire Recycling Program
Yard Waste	This includes loose or paper bagged, clean and segregated: Yard waste: bark, grass clippings, fallen tree fruits, houseplants, leaves, mulch, pine cones and needles, woodchips, and yard and garden trimmings Branches and trees: sticks and twigs, stumps, tree roots, tree trimmings and trunks

Reuse Centre Fees

As a thank you for your patience, and to celebrate the Reuse Centre’s 15-year anniversary, we have removed all fees for items. Organizations and individuals will not be charged for the items they need in 2022.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Fees

The Construction and Demolition (C&D) Recycling facility is managed and operated by an independent contractor.

Please visit KBL Environmental for fees and accepted items.

Secondary and Garden Suites

Waste Management Services Fee

If you are developing a secondary suite or garden suite, you need to know that your Waste Management Services Fee is affected:

Waste Management Services Utility Rates are charged per dwelling unit. A registered secondary suite will be charged a second Waste Management Services Utility Rate
Participants in the Secondary Suites Cart Sharing program pay only 1 Residential Curbside Collection fee
The fees apply whether or not the secondary suite is occupied
Waste Management Services fees are listed on your monthly EPCOR utility bill

Detailed information is available on the various conditions and regulations for developing secondary suites and garden suites in the City of Edmonton.

Multi-unit Utility Rate Changes

The updated Waste Bylaw (18590) , approved in 2019, now categorizes residential properties based on the type of service they receive.

In the past, your rate was determined by your type of residence, either single- or multi-unit. Now, rates will reflect the type of waste collection service received, either curbside (cart) or communal (bin) collection.

About 22,000 residences receiving curbside collection had been paying the lower communal collection rate. These residents will see their waste rate increase over five years to align with the service they are receiving.

As of October 1, 2021, transitional waste rates are as follows:

$37.30 for residents who began transitioning on January 1, 2020
$34 for residents who are beginning the transition in 2021

Does this rate change apply to all multi-unit residents?

No. Approximately 25,000 multi-unit residents will be subject to these rate changes at this time. These residences were identified by Waste Services as receiving service that does not align with the rate they pay. This rate adjustment will bring service and rate into alignment. However, more residences may see rate changes pending further assessments by Waste Services. Council and residents will be informed of these changes once assessment is complete.

Are these rate changes being used to fund the 25-year Waste Strategy?

No. The purpose of this rate increase is to bring the waste fee into alignment with the type of service received. Curbside/alley collection is more expensive than bin collection. The Waste Strategy will be funded by the annual Waste Services operating budget.

Why did my rate change? I haven’t moved or changed my waste disposal habits.

Previously, residents were charged a utility rate based on whether they lived in a single-unit home or a multi-unit home, regardless of the type of waste collection they actually received. This meant that some residents were not paying the appropriate rate for the type of service they received. Under the new customer classification, all residents will be charged a rate that matches the type of service they receive.

I am planning to move in/out of a multi-unit building soon. What rate will I be paying?

Any multi-unit residents that move into an affected residence during the transition will immediately pay the rate equal to the service they receive at that building, even if they were previously on the transitional rate. They will not receive the five-year gradual rate increase.

Multi-unit customers that leave their building and move into a home receiving curbside/alley collection will pay the curbside collection rate that aligns with their garbage cart size ($48.32 for the 240L cart, $43.32 for the 120L cart). Multi-unit customers that move to a building receiving bin collection will pay the communal collection rate ($30.69).

For More Information

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	wastesupport@edmonton.ca