Garbage is collected every other week on your regular collection day. Please follow your Waste Collection Schedule.

3-Bag Limit

Each household in Markham is limited to three bags or containers of garbage every two weeks. If you have more than three bags of garbage, a garbage bag tag must be placed on the extra bag(s).

How to get Garbage Bag Tags

Garbage bag tags are available at the Markham Civic Centre (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) and at Markham's Recycling Depots during Hours of Operation.

No Tag Days

Markham has two No Tag Days each year, when you can put out more than three bags of garbage at the curb without bag tags. Appliances, metal items and hazardous waste is not collected on No Tag Days. Appliances and scrap metal items require a special collection appointment. Please call 905.415.7535.

2012 No Tag Days

Garbage Rules

Garbage must be set out at your curb for collection by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day; but not earlier than 7:00 p.m. the day before collection. The time of collection in your area can change at any time without notice (By-law 32-95).

Garbage can be set out for collection in any combination of up to three of the following:

• 1 regular size garbage bag, under 18 kg
• 1 garbage can (0.5 m x 0.9 m), under 18 kg 
• 1 group of 4 grocery bags of garbage, under 18 kg

Some items require preparation before putting them out for collection. For example:

• Carpets must be rolled up and tied with rope or string. Make sure the rolled carpet is safe to handle, with no protruding nails or staples. Carpet rolls cannot be longer than 1.2 m in length or weigh more than 18 kg.
• Wood must be bundled and tied securely with rope or tape. Each bundle must be under 1.2 m in length and not heavier than 18 kg. Make sure the bundles of wood are safe to handle by removing all the nails or by hammering them in.
• Broken Glass must be placed in a cardboard box, sealed shut and labelled "broken glass". Glass sheeting (from a window pane) must be taped with masking tape and completely covered with cardboard to cover any exposed or sharp edges so that it is safe to handle.

In the winter, please place your materials at the side of the end of your driveway. Please do not put your garbage on top or behind snow banks.

Non-Collectable Garbage

Garbage will not be collected if it is:

• Loose or not contained in a bag or container
• In an oversized container/cart
• In a cardboard box
• Grass clippings
• Leaf/yard waste
• Hazardous waste such as motor oil and batteries
• Beverage containers
• Sharp edged such as broken glass, unless properly sealed, covered and labelled "broken glass".
• Automotive waste such as tires
• Construction or demolition waste such as concrete 
• Medical waste such as needles 
• Carcass of any animal, or live animal or bird
• Radioactive waste
• Liquid waste
• Sewage
• PCB's
• Asbestos
• Manure, hay or straw

Bulky Items

Bulky items are collected on your regular garbage day. A special collection appointment is not required.

Bulky items include:

• Chairs
• Sofas
• Mattresses
• Furniture

Televisions can be dropped off at York's Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Depot.

Appliances and scrap metal items require a special collection appointment. Please call 905-415-7535.

Garbage Drop-off

Garbage can be dropped off at the Public Drop-Off Weekend Collection Centre. Fee's apply.

What Happens to my Garbage?

The Region of York processes Markham's garbage. Find out what happens to your garbage once it leaves your curb.