What can go in your black cart

Black bin garbage collection is for items at the end of their useful life and do not have a place in blue cart recycling, green cart composting or other diversion programs.

For items that are still usable, you can reuse and donate goods to family and friends, local charities, thrift stores or post them on online trade websites like Kijiji.

See what items do not belong in the black cart. If you don't know where to put an item, use our recycling and disposal search tool What Goes Where.

Yes. Put these items in your black cart

Used packaging and non-stretchy bags

  • Chip bags
  • Frozen fruit pouches
  • Granola wrappers
  • Baby food pouches
  • Chocolate bar and candy wrappers
  • Food seals e.g. yogurt container seal, pudding lid
  • Coffee bags
  • Butcher paper
Packaging YES

Foam containers and packaging

Polystyrene foam must be bagged and:

  • Put in the black cart as garbage
  • Bring to a City Eco Centre for foam recycling. Learn more here.

This includes:

  • Foam cups, plates and takeout containers
  • Foam meat trays
  • Foam blocks and packing peanuts
  • Foam packaging from electronics, TVs etc.
Foam Yes

Diapers and personal hygiene products

  • All types of wipes - cleaning, makeup etc.
  • Diapers
  • Lotion tubes
  • Toothpaste tubes
  • Dental floss
  • Cotton swabs/balls
  • Q-tips
  • Feminine hygiene products and applicators
Hygiene Yes

Household items - cleaning and maintenance items

  • Rubber garden hose
  • Old sponges and scrub pads
  • Air fresheners (e.g. Car fresheners, Glade Plugins etc.)
  • Vacuum cleaner dirt (must be bagged for dust control)
  • Dryer lint and dryer sheets
  • Furnace filters
  • Disposable cleaning pads (e.g. Swiffer cloths)
Cleaning Yes

Non-recyclable plastic items (non-container items)

  • Plastic plates
  • Plastic cutlery
  • Drink lids
  • Straws and stir sticks
  • Bread tags
  • Bottle caps and milk lids
  • Safety seals (e.g. seal off of milk cap, pull tabs on bottles)
  • Twist ties and elastics
Plastics Yes

Household items (various)

  • Broken appliances - small (e.g. toaster, kettle etc.)
  • Broken toys
  • Automotive air filters
  • Automotive rubber belts
  • Tape – all types
  • Cigarette butts
  • Dirty aluminum foil
  • Elastic bands
  • Picture frames
  • Laundry baskets
  • Kiddie pool
Household Items Yes
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