Garbage Tag Program

If your black cart is full and you have extra bags of garbage that will not fit inside the bin, you will need to buy garbage tags to put on extra garbage bags for pickup.

Where to buy garbage tags

Tags are $3 each and are available through the following options. There is no expiry and no refunds on the garbage tags.

Buy at a participating convenience store, grocery store or online:

How to use garbage tags

  1. Fill your black cart first.
  2. Place extra garbage in a bag and tie closed. Peel off backing and wrap tag around the knot.
  3. On collection day, place tagged garbage bags 0.5 metres (2 feet) to the side of your black cart.

Tips for using garbage tags:

  • Tags are for bagged garbage only. Do not leave unbagged items outside of your black cart.
  • Use standard-sized garbage bags and make sure you can lift the bag with one hand.
  • If there is no tag, your collection driver will not pick up the bag.

Tags are not required for paper yard waste bags used for yard waste as part of the Green Cart program.

Tags are for residential black cart customers only. Extra garbage tags are not required for businesses or multi-family complexes. Tags are not valid at City landfills.

Frequently asked questions

Why do we need a garbage tag program?

Most homes don’t put out extra garbage (only about 4% of homes put out extra bags on pickup day).

Since the majority of Calgarians do not make extra garbage that won’t fit in their black cart, this program helps apply greater fairness in garbage collection fees.

Rather than having all households pay for extra garbage bags put out, only the homes that make extra garbage will have to pay for it through a garbage tag. This helps keep your black cart fee on your program fee low. 

How can I reduce the amount of garbage I throw away?

Consider what you are buying and throwing away. Sorting materials correctly into your blue, green and black carts helps make full use of all three carts, and reduce the amount of garbage for pickup.

Make sure to use the What Goes Where search tool to look up your everyday household items to put them in the right bin.

My house makes a lot of extra garbage regularly. Is there another option for me?

If your household is generating extra waste due to a secondary suite, home-based business or home health care needs, review these options available to you.

What if I want to use my neighbour’s cart for my extra garbage bag?

If you have extra bags of garbage, be sure to talk with your neighbor before you put anything in their cart.

We encourage you to be neighbourly and share any extra space in carts as long as you both agree to it.

How can I prevent others from using my black cart without my permission?

If you are concerned about other people using your carts, store your bins on your property when they are not set out on collection day. If you are aware of illegal dumping, please contact 311 to report the issue.

drop-off/landfill-throw-n-go-facilities,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null