Thunder Bay has started to deliver new wheeled garbage carts to select neighbourhoods around the city.
This comes as the city is transitioning to a new automated cart collection system.
A truck with a mechanical arm will pick up, empty, and return carts to the curb.
The driver stays in the truck and uses a camera to operate the system, with no manual lifting required.
The carts will continue to be delivered to residents around the city over the next several weeks.
The city is asking residents to store the garbage carts in their garage or beside/behind their house.
Residents slated to receive carts in this initial program rollout received a letter from the city several weeks ago.
The initial cart rollout will include roughly 25 per cent of the city.
The rest of the city will receive garbage carts in the spring of 2026.
“We’re excited to improve waste collection services to the residents of Thunder Bay with the new automated garbage cart program,” said Manager of Solid Waste and Recycling Services, Jason Sherband.
“A cart-based garbage collection system is an action item of the City’s long-term Solid Waste Management Strategy.”
The new garbage carts will begin being used on September 22.
Residents should not use the carts before that time.
After the program starts, garbage set out in cans or in garbage bags will no longer be collected if you received a new cart.
A flyer with instructions will be attached to each delivered garbage cart.
More information on the program, including a map highlighting the initial rollout area, can be found by clicking here.
