Residential Curbside Cart Program 

The City of Yellowknife has a two-cart system with biweekly collection of household garbage (black cart) and organics (green cart). 

Det’on Cho Kavanaugh Ltd. currently provides curbside garbage and organic waste collection for the City of Yellowknife.

Not sure what your collection date is, or what’s accepted in your black or green cart? Use the What Goes Where app to see your address’s collection schedule, find appropriate disposal options for a wide variety of items, print or set collection reminders, and learn about cart collection tips.

Cart Placement

Under the Solid Waste Management By-law No. 4376, garbage and compost carts can be placed at the appropriate collection location after 6:00 p.m. the night before collection or before 7:00 a.m. the morning of collection to ensure that the cart is collected. 

Collection Areas

See on a Map

Monday – Range Lake

Tuesday – Downtown Core 

Wednesday – Niven/ School Draw/ Old Town/ N’dilo 

Thursday – Northlands/ Frame Lake South 

Friday – Yellowknife South/ Hall Crescent/ Grace Lake Area

The curbside cart program requires proper placement of your cart. View the following  diagram to learn how to place your cart:

Cul-de-Sac Cart Placement 

The City of Yellowknife has painted lines in cul-de-sacs to improve cart placement. Residents are asked to place their carts inside one painted box with the wheels placed against the back line.

Cart Placement during Snow Removal 

The City of Yellowknife needs your cooperation to ensure snow removal and garbage/compost collection are completed effectively.

Streets must be clear of obstacles for operators to perform snow removal in the early hours of the morning. Signs are placed 24 hours in advance in areas of snow removal to inform residents that snow removal will be taking place. Once garbage carts have been emptied, they are to be returned to your property as soon as possible. This will ensure streets are clear for snow road removal operations.

Green Compost Cart Tips

  • Check what can and cannot be accepted in the compost program
  • Loosely place items in the cart and don’t overload.
  • Wrap smelly food scraps in newspaper or layer them between yard waste. You can also freeze them until collection day.
  • Try to keep liquids out of the cart to help prevent freezing and odour issues.
  • Consider using paper bags or purchasing BPI-certified bags to keep food scraps from sticking to the bottom of your cart and catcher.
  • Return your cart to your property after pick-up.

For more information, see the Curbside Organics Collection Guide.

Black Garbage Cart Tips

  • Properly place the cart out for pick-up before 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
  • Bag all garbage and keep the lid closed to reduce odours and deter wildlife.
  • Dog waste and cat litter in small amounts are accepted in the black cart.
  • Human waste and honey bucket waste are not accepted.
  • Return your cart to your property after pick-up.

For more information, see the FAQ below:

FAQ

Understanding how to put your green or black cart out and when to bring it in helps to run a smooth and efficient collection program. Follow these easy steps for proper cart usage:

  1. Fill it – Garbage should be bagged. Compostable organic materials do not need to be bagged; paper bags and BPI-certified bags are accepted if you opt to use a liner. Remember not to overfill your cart; excessive weight can cause damage to the cart when being tipped. The lid must be able to close.
  2. Space it – Carts should be 0.5 m from the curb, and at least 1.5 m from any other carts or objects like a fence, garage or vehicle so the mechanical truck arms can safely grab them. Check the cart placement guide for your address, including Cul-de-sac and alley placement.
  3. Park it – To ensure that the cart is collected, garbage and compost carts must be placed at the appropriate collection location, either:
     
    • after 6:00 p.m. the night before collection, or
    • before 7:00 a.m. the morning of collection
  4. Take it – Be sure to return your cart(s) to your property after pickup. Each cart is uniquely assigned to your address. It’s recommended to write the address somewhere visible on the cart to avoid mix-ups.