NEW*:As of June 1st, 2024 there are some changes to electronics recycling with EPRA Nova Scotia. Visit EPRA or download the EPRA List for more info.
Our curbside collection program is Valley Waste’s solution to waste reduction, waste diversion and the proper disposal of unwanted material. Valley Waste currently collects 381kg per capita annually versus the provincial average of 399kg per capita and continues to work on ways to help our residents reduce their waste output. Click on our menu below to find out more.
COLLECTION AREAS FOR KINGS AND ANNAPOLIS COUNTIES
The Waste Collection map has been compiled based on the most recent information available, however, errors or omissions may occur. To confirm collection days or for further information on waste disposal, sorting and collection within the Municipality, contact Valley Waste Resource Management at info@vwrm.com or call the Hotline on 1-877-927-8300 (902-679-1325).
COLLECTION BEGINS AT 7:00 A.M.
Collection day is once every two weeks. To ensure collection, please have your GREEN CART, GARBAGE and BLUE BAGS curbside prior to 7:00 a.m. on your regular scheduled collection day. Refer to our website, social media, Recycle Coach app or Valley Waste Calendar for holiday alternate pickup days and other important collection information.
SORTING IS MANDATORY
Drivers will only accept material that has been properly sorted. Your green cart, garbage and blue bags with improperly sorted information will be tagged and rejected by the collection driver. Please use our sorting guide if you need more information or download the Recycle Coach app from the Google Store or Apple Store for FREE!
ACCESS GUIDELINES
Roads must be accessible for collection trucks, have a good solid base to accommodate their weight, and have a suitable turning area. If trucks cannot access your road, collection will occur at the closest serviceable road or may be postponed to another date.
Call us at 902 679 1325 for more information.
COLLECTION CANCELLATIONS
In the event of a storm, collections may be cancelled. Please check our Storm & Collection Updates on our home page, social media, and local radio stations for updates. You can also call our Hotline on 902 679 1325 for updated messages.
SPRING & FALL CLEANUPS
A Clean-up in the Spring and again in the Fall is homeowners offered for to dispose of larger household waste items not usually allowed for regular collection. Refer to your Spring & Fall Clean-up schedule or see the Valley Waste Calendar for more information.
Some municipalities offer tree collection in early January each year (refer to your Valley Waste Calendar, visit our Holiday Waste Reduction Tips page or contact your local town office).
Trees are also accepted free of charge at Valley Waste Transfer Stations during the month of January. If you are putting your trees curbside, you can cut the tree into 4ft x 1ft bundles and set out as brush, or put it out for Spring Clean-up.
We encourage you to download the Recycle Coach app which is available for FREE from Google Store and Apple Store. It can give you a collection day reminder, help you with sorting queries and send you updates for cancellations and special collections.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
You can find out more at the Frequently Asked Questions page.
STORM DEBRIS DISPOSAL
Storms can create a clean-up situation for some. Click on the link above for tips about disposal. You can also download a copy of the guide from our Resources page.
CART/RECYCLABLES PLACEMENT AT CURBSIDE
Green cart, garbage and blue bags should be placed as close as practical from the curb without interfering with pedestrian or vehicular traffic. During the winter months, carts may be placed within 15 FEET (5 m) from the curb to accommodate snow plows. Please ensure that carts and bags are on a flat surface and not stuck on or in a snow bank. Drivers will not collect green carts or bags that are buried in snow and not visible.
If you are placing your cart or bags out the night before, you can cover the bags with a heavy blanket to avoid animal damage. Many residents have wooden garbage bins at the bottom of their driveway to store their green cart and bags in. Please ensure these bins meet the regulations and must not be placed as close as possible but no further than 15 FEET (5m) from the curb.
Maximum cart capacity is 220 lb. (100 kg). Carts exceeding this weight will not be collected.
Do not overfill your cart – the lid must be able to close. Check out our Green Cart Tips. If you require a replacement cart or have a new build, please click on the button below.
ITEMS NOT COLLECTED AT CURBSIDE
Tires: Tire retailers will accept up to four used rimless tires free of charge. There may be a charge to remove them from the rims.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): HHW is accepted free of charge at the Valley Waste Management Centres during regular operating hours. For more information, visit our HHW page.
Sharps: (syringes, needles and lancets) can be harmful if they are not handled properly. They can hurt the people collecting and handling garbage and recyclables. DO NOT throw used sharps in the garbage, in recycling bags, plastic jugs or bottles!
SHARPS SHOULD ONLY BE PLACED IN AN APPROVED SHARPS CONTAINER WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FROM YOUR PHARMACY OR CDA SUPPLY CENTRE. THE FULL CONTAINERS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE PHARMACY.
For more information visit the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia.
Electronics: Electronics Products Recycling Association (EPRA) Nova Scotia oversees an end-of-life electronics recycling program throughout the province. Residents and businesses can drop off their unwanted electronics free of charge for responsible recycling at our Management Centres or an EPRA Nova Scotia drop-off location. To find your nearest location click HERE. *NEW effective June 1, 2024 additional items will be added to the electronics program. Download the LIST for more information.
Bulky Waste Items
Any bulky waste items will only be collected during Spring and Fall Clean-ups.
Garbage: 4 bag limit – clear bags must be used for garbage. When necessary, one dark bag per collection may be used for personal garbage items (e.g. A solid coloured bag is defined as either a black or dark coloured bag, a clear bag with individual smaller bags, white bags or kitchen catchers in it or any other bag in which all the contents cannot be clearly identified).
- Use standard size CLEAR bags. (No longer than 39 in when flat).
- Maximum weight per bag is 15kg
Recycling: 4 bag limit* – *if you don’t use your full garbage limits you can substitute each unused garbage bag with an additional recycling bag. Container recycling and Paper recycling are required to be in separate blue bags. Please refer to our sorting guide or our Valley Waste Calendar.
- Use standard size blue bags. (No longer than 39 in when flat).
- Maximum weight per bag is 15kg
- Recyclables must be CLEAN & DRY
- Paper in on blue bag and recyclable containers in another.
- Plastic lids off bottles can be put in a bread bag or ziploc bag to be recycled. They are too small to add individually.
Cardboard
- If your cardboard can’t fit inside your recycling bag, flatten and bundle to 3ftx2ftx1ft
- Up to two bundles of cardboard can be set out on collection day.
Yard Waste
Up to two bundles of brush are permitted to be set out per collection; maximum length 4ft and maximum width 2ft.
Leaves can be put in your compost bin or brought to the transfer station for free but must be de-bagged at the site.
All other yard waste including grass clippings can be put in your compost bin or backyard composter or used as mulch. It can also be brought to the transfer station for a small fee.
Total bags allowed for set out:
4 garbage* + 4 recycling = 8 Total (These are the maximum set out amounts). Please see an example of replacing garbage bags with recycling bags. *The maximum number of garbage bags allowed is 4 of which only one can be a dark privacy bag.
Collection example – (please note this is based on the maximum set out amounts).
Please note that large or bulky items are collected during Spring and Fall Clean-ups.
If you have items that you need help with to bring to the Management Centres or would like to rent a dumpster, please contact a local hauler.
