Waste Collection

The Town of Altona has a three-stream Waste Collection program that runs year-round. This program is intended to encourage waste diversion and supports Altona’s commitment towards responsible environmental stewardship. Keep scrolling for more information on each waste stream.

Curbside Collection

All waste must be brought to the curb by no later than 7 am on your designated collection day. The Town of Altona is divided into four areas for the regular collection schedule.

Please note: From November to March, compostable materials will be collected once a month during the first full collection week. Collection will take place on your regular collection day.

Southeast: Tuesday, Southwest: Wednesday, Northwest: Thursday, Northeast: Friday

Occasionally, there will be changes to this schedule due to holidays. Please see the current waste collection calendar below for more information.

2024 Waste Collection Calendar *2025 calendar coming soon!*

Waste Collection Program Brochure

Limits:

Compostable Materials: There is no limit to the amount of compost that can be put out for collection per week. All materials should be placed in: green compost cart (up to 130 lbs), containers with molded handles without lids (up to 50 lbs/container), or compostable bags (up to 35 lbs/bag).

Recycling: There is no limit to the amount of recyclables that can be put out for collection per week. All materials should be placed in: blue recycling cart, and any container that is clearly marked as recycling.

Garbage: Residential dwellings are allowed ONE (1) garbage bag or container (30 gallons/ 114 Litres) per week.

Any bags above this limit must have a garbage bag tag, which are available for purchase at the Altona Civic Centre for $2/tag. All bags/containers must weigh less than 50 lbs.

Compostable Materials

How to Fold Newspaper Into a Compost Bin Liner

What goes in the green bin?

Almost anything that once came from a plant or an animal can be composted. Here is a list of some common household items that should be put into your green bin:

All food scraps, including meat and dairy, egg shells, and bones
Food soiled paper products, such as pizza boxes, butcher paper, coffee filters, parchment paper, muffin liners, plates & napkins, bags & microwave popcorn bags, sugar/sweetener packets, tea bags, and more
Other paper products, such as shredded paper
Personal hygiene items such as facial tissues, hair, cotton balls, cotton swabs, nail clippings
Fur and feathers
Wood chips, toothpicks, popsicle sticks pencil shavings, sawdust
Houseplants and flowers
Yard waste
Compostable bags/bin liners

What can’t go in the green bin?

This is a list of items to avoid putting in your green bin. Your green bin will not be emptied if it contains these items:

Recyclable materials
Plastic and glass
Aluminum foil and other metal
Chemically soiled paper products
Styrofoam
Waxed paper, wax, and candles
Pet waste (litter, droppings, etc.)
Chewing gum, cigarette butts & ashes
Cleaning sponges & wipes
Personal hygiene items such as band-aids, sanitary products, dental floss, baby wipes, or diapers
Batteries, paint, or other hazardous waste
Water softener salt
Wood and treated wood
Branches* (see Waste Diversion)

Keeping Your Compost Bin Fresh

Empty your indoor bin often and rinse each time. Once in a while, wash your indoor bin with soap, or run it through your dishwasher.
Place newspaper/paper at the bottom of your outdoor bin to absorb excess moisture
Line your compost containers with compostable liners, available at local retailers such as Altona Farm Service, Altona IGA, Home Hardware, and Sun Valley Co-op.
Bring your outdoor bin to the curb every collection day
Sprinkle baking soda over the compost if you find it has started to smell
Freeze meat scraps in a paper bag until collection day

If the green bin has non-compostable items in it, it WILL NOT be collected.

Recycling

What goes in the blue bin?

Aluminum Beverage Cans
Box Board
Bubble Wrap
Corrugated Cardboard
Glass, Ceramic and Porcelain
Jugs & Cartons
Paper
Plastics #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 7
Plastic Bags/Soft Plastics (must be bundled together)
Cell phones & Batteries (must be bagged separately from other recyclables)

Separate all lids and containers, rinse containers, fold/flatten cardboard, bundle soft plastics together, and bag any cell phones or batteries.

What can’t go in the blue bin?

E-waste (24/7 drop-off depot)
Automotive batteries
Biohazard & Medical Waste
Chemical Waste/Containers
Diapers
Food-soiled Paper Products
Hard/Shattering Plastics
Laminated Materials
Light Bulbs
Mirrors & Window Glass
Outdoor Lawn Furniture
Plasticized/Waxed Materials
Propane or Helium Tanks
Rubber Tires
Styrofoam
Toner or Printer Ink Cartridges

If the blue bin has non-recyclable items in it, it WILL NOT be collected.

Garbage

What goes in the garbage?
Only those items that cannot go into the compost or recycling carts. Here are some examples: diapers, Styrofoam, chemically soiled paper products, metallic or waxy paper, staples, tape, foil, etc.

What can’t go in the garbage?
Compostable or recyclable materials, e-waste, paint cans, fluorescent light tubes, aerosols, tires, mattresses, propane tanks, batteries, appliances, automobile oil, oil filters, coolant, and used cooking oil.

All of the items that cannot go into your garbage have alternative drop off locations or collection streams. See Waste Diversion to learn more. Each household is limited to one bag of garbage per week. If you need an additional bag, you may purchase a garbage bag tag for $2 at the Altona Civic Centre Administration Office. Any bags beyond the one bag limit must be clearly marked with a garbage bag tag, or they will not be collected.

Waste Diversion

Altona/Rhineland Waste Disposal Site
2049 Rd 10 NW, Rhineland
204-324-1379
Open: Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 4 pm

Waste Diversion Loop
When you enter the Waste Disposal Site, turn left into the Waste Diversion Loop before you reach the scale to drop off the following items, free of charge. Please follow the appropriate signage.

Mattresses and box springs
Large metal appliances (fridge, freezer, etc). Does not include dishwashers
Scrap metal
Propane tanks
Batteries (large)*
Tires

Used Oil Recycling Depot
At the Waste Disposal Site, turn right before the scale to access the Used Oil Recycling Depot, free of charge. To use, ask for assistance from the scale operator.

Automobile oil
Oil filters
Coolant
Consumer DEF Containers (4L)
Used cooking oil

Yard Waste Disposal Site
West of the Altona/Rhineland Waste Disposal Site
This location is available for drop off of yard waste or branches, free of charge. Please do not drop off food waste at the yard waste disposal site.

*Household Battery Recycling
Household batteries can be dropped off to the Altona Civic Centre, Public Works Shop or Blue Sky Opportunities, or sealed in a bag within your blue bin.

Paint Recycling/Disposal
Leftover paint products or empty containers can be dropped off at the Altona/Rhineland Waste Disposal Site. Visit our Waste Disposal Site webpage for more information about paint recycling and what types of products are accepted.

Why should you recycle paint? Leftover paint can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly, as it is classified as special waste. By recycling your unwanted paint and paint cans at our facility, you can reduce landfill waste and minimize environmental impact.

Blue Sky Opportunities
349 2nd St NW, Altona
Drop Off Site for household E-Waste