Garbage is collected every other week on your scheduled collection day. To determine your collection day, please check our online Recycle Coach app or refer to the Waste and Recycling Calendar.
Remember to place waste containers at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before collection. Ensure that waste material set out for collection is in accordance with the Town's waste program requirements. Please remove emptied containers and any uncollected waste from the curb by 8 p.m. on collection day.
For more information on what goes where, check out Newmarket's Recycle Coach app or York Region's Bindicator.
Residents can place a maximum of three (3) garbage bags/containers at the curb every other week on your scheduled garbage collection day. Additional garbage bags/containers, up to a maximum of three (3), can be placed at the curb for collection provided each additional bag/container has a Town of Newmarket garbage tag attached. A total of 6 garbage bags/containers can be placed out for collection (3 untagged and 3 tagged bags/containers). Garbage tags must be visible to the collector and should be attached either around the neck of the bag or on the top garbage bag inside the container, not on the container itself.
The maximum weight per garbage bag/container and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs.).
Garbage bag tags are sold in quantities of five (5) for $15.00 and can be purchased by contacting Customer Service at 905-953-5303 or info@newmarket.ca. If you are sending us an email, please include your phone number. Our Customer Service Centre will contact you regarding payment and delivery. Please do not provide any payment information by email. The Town will mail your garbage bag tags to you.
Garbage bag tags are also available for purchase in-person at:
- Municipal Offices
- Magna Centre
- Ray Twinney Recreation Complex
- Robert N. Shelton Operations Centre
- Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place
- Newmarket Public Library
Please note that only cashless transactions are accepted for all payments.
How to use garbage bag tags:
- Garbage bags: Tie your garbage bag closed. Remove the tag from the backing and wrap it around the neck of the garbage bag, sticking the tag ends together.
- Garbage containers: Remove the garbage tag from the backing and stick it on the top bag inside your garbage container. Do not place it directly on the garbage container itself.
- A reusable container with open, rigid handles and a secure, removable lid that does not exceed 125 litres (33 gallons) in size. The container must not exceed 20 in. (50 cm) in diameter or 36 in. (90 cm) in height.
- Black or green plastic bags (no clear bags) designed and sold for the purpose of containing garbage and securely tied so as to prevent any spillage. Plastic garbage bags must not exceed 26 in. x 36 in. (66 cm x 92 cm).
Please do not use ropes or bungee cords to secure lids.
- Place garbage bags/containers at the curb by 7 a.m. for collection on your scheduled garbage collection day. Do not place garbage bags/containers on the road or sidewalk as it may pose as a hazard to vehicular traffic and other residents. Proper placement will also help avoid damage to garbage containers and will reduce interference with Town operations.
- Keep garbage bags/containers separate from your neighbours.
- Do not overfill garbage containers. Garbage should not exceed the rim of the garbage container.
- Excess garbage that doesn't fit into your garbage container with the lid closed is considered overflow.
- If your garbage container is full, attach a garbage bag tag to each additional bag (limit of three) and place them beside your garbage container for collection.
- During winter months, do not place garbage bags/containers on top of or behind snow banks as it can be difficult for the collection operator to access, and may cause waste material to spill onto the roadway.
- The maximum weight per garbage bag/container and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs.).
Loose or un-bagged material (e.g. vacuum dust, dirt, etc.) in garbage containers pose as a health and safety hazard to the collection operator when in the process of dumping the material into the collection vehicle. If the collection operator feels the loose material may be a health and safety hazard, the collection operator will not collect and the garbage container will be stickered for that reason. Loose or un-bagged material can also create litter when the container is lifted (container is tipped up and over) into the truck.
Broken glass in small amounts can be collected as garbage if placed separately in a cardboard box that is safely secured and clearly labelled "broken glass". Glass can rip through garbage bags and pose as a health and safety hazard to the collection operator when in the process of dumping the material into the vehicle. If the collection operator feels the broken glass may be a health and safety hazard, the driver will not collect. Large amounts can be dropped off as garbage at a York Region Waste Depot for proper disposal (disposal fees apply).
Toilets can be placed out for collection on your scheduled garbage collection day as one item towards the three item limit. Please remember to detach the bowl from the tank and ensure that the toilet has been drained properly before placing the item at the curb.
Furnace filters must be properly disposed (bagged) for garbage collection. Furnace filters are not recyclable and do not belong in the blue box.
Tires are not collected curbside in the Town of Newmarket. Tires can be recycled for free (limits apply) at select York Region waste facilities and Community Environmental Centres (CEC) as well as at participating retailers (check out York Region's Bindicator for a list of participating retailer locations).
Construction waste is not accepted in the Town's curbside waste and recycling program. Construction waste (e.g. drywall, concrete, wood, etc.) can be taken to the Georgina Waste Transfer Station or to a York Region Community Environmental Centre for proper disposal (disposal fees apply).
Carpet and linoleum will be picked up on your scheduled garbage day, provided it is cut up and securely tied in rolls/bundles weighing less than 50 lbs and no longer than 1.2 metres (4 ft.) each. Each roll/bundle counts as one item towards the three item limit. Additional rolls/bundles, up to a maximum of three (3), can be placed at the curb for collection provided each additional roll/bundle has a Town of Newmarket garbage tag attached.
Medications, prescriptions and sharps (needles and syringes) are household hazardous waste and must not be placed in your garbage, green bin or blue box and must not be disposed of down the drain. These items can be dropped off at participating pharmacies or a York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot for safe disposal. Please note that needles and syringes must be placed in puncture-proof containers. For more information, visit york.ca/hhw.
For missed waste collection or waste collection inquiries, please contact Green for Life (GFL) at 1-866-421-5625 or via email at WasteLine@gflenv.com.
If you received an 'oops' sticker, please visit Green for Life's (GFL) 'oops' sticker page for more information.