Garbage, Recycling
& Organics

• 5 bags of garbage (black or green bags only)
• 8 bags/bundles of recyclables (blue or clear bags only)
• 1 organics (green cart)

Additional Eligible Material (per collection)

• Maximum of 3 large items (example: bed, chair, sofa)
• 1 appliance
• Maximum of 3 metal items (example: bike, bed frame)
• Maximum of 1 TV or computer and 1 cardboard box 1 ft x 1 ft x 2 ft of electronics
• Maximum of 6 cardboard boxes or paper leaf bags with leaf and yard waste
• Maximum of 5 bundles of brush (a bundle = 2 ft x 2 ft x 4 ft; maximum weight = 35 lbs)

The Municipality of East Hants provides limited curbside collection to our businesses. Service is provided via the residential collection route. If your business would benefit from this service, the following outline our collection limits and notes:

• 10 bags of garbage (black or green bags only)
• 16 bags/bundles of recyclables (blue or clear bags only)
• 2 green carts collected

Additional Information

• 1 bundle of cardboard = 1 bag of recyclables
• 1 bundle of cardboard = 2 ft x 3 ft x 1 ft
• Garbage & Recycling bags
  • maximum weight = 55 lbs
  • maximum bag size = 1 meter long when empty (about 3 ft)

Request a Waste Audit for your business

Ensuring your green organics cart stays in good condition during the heat of summer through to the frozen conditions of winter can seem like a tricky task. Here are some tips to keep pests, odours and frozen carts to a minimum all year long.

• Line It: Line the bottom with newspaper, cardboard or yard waste each time your cart is emptied
• Layer It: Alternate layers of kitchen food scraps with yard waste (ex. leaves, grass) or newspaper to keep the cart dry. Wrapping food scraps in newspaper helps limit exposure and interest from pests
• Set It Out: Always set the cart out as scheduled, even if it’s not full
• Rinse It: Rinse after collection (if you can) with mild detergent or a vinegar/water solution, then sprinkle with a small amount of baking soda
• Store It Right: If your green cart is stored outdoors, choose a ventilated and shady area that is convenient for use

Other Tips

• Cold weather can freeze contents of green carts and make them tough to empty. Keeping your cart in a sunny location can help!
• Plastic bags, even those labelled as “Compostable” or “Biodegradable,” are not accepted.
• Kitty litter made of the following natural ingredients go in your green organics cart: clay, paper, wheat, corn, pine, bamboo, walnut, coconut fibre and grass. Other litters like silica gel crystal litter (like Pretty Litter) are not biodegradable and must go in your black garbage bag.
• Plastic, metal, dog feces, or fast food cups are not accepted in the green cart

Call the Solid Waste Hotline for a replacement or new green cart: 1-888-873-3332

Residential Compliance

The Waste Compliance Officer responds to waste collection complaints, ensuring compliance of both provincial regulations and municipal bylaws. Data collected is used to assist our education programming and service reviews.

Institutional, Commercial and Industrial Compliance Promotion

The Waste Compliance Officer assists businesses with training around solid waste so they can better serve their customers. Waste audits are conducted at the business location and at the Waste Management Centre as a method to measure compliance and find areas that require attention.

The Waste Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating and coordinating the clean-ups of these sites. 

If you see an illegal dumpsite, do not disturb the material for both your safety and to ensure staff can conduct a thorough investigation.

To report the location of an illegal dump site, call the Solid Waste Hotline at 1-888-873-3332 or report on our Waste Wizard app.