The Recycling program was taken over by the Province in 2025, but there are no changes to residential recycling schedules or service- except that the recycling fee is no longer charged for residential recycling (commercial recycling rates still apply)! For more information, please click here.

What can I put in my Recycling Cart? 

• Check out our Quick Guide (printable)
• Download our free App for a "what goes where" tool you can search items on!

Do I Need to Bag Items?

• Items do not need to be bagged, EXCEPT for shredded paper so it doesn't make a mess

Helpful Hints

• Flatten/cut all carboard boxes to make them fit.
• Containers must be emptied & rinsed.

What about Items that Can't go in the Blue Cart? What do I do with them?

Use the Quick Guide linked above for more information on free recycling drop-off locations and ways to recycle items that cannot go in or fit in your cart!

Our compost collection is handled by a third-party contractor. If you have concerns about your compost collection, please contact the Public Works Shop and we will be happy to investigate on your behalf. 

What can I put in my Compost Cart? 

• Check out our Quick Guide (printable)
• Download our free App for a "what goes where" tool you can search items on!

Can I use Compostable Bags in my Compost Cart?

No. Since 2020, compostable or biodegradable bags are not allowed in compost carts. These bags don’t break down as quickly as other compost items, and they can blow into nearby farms and properties, causing litter and contamination. To be a good neighbor, the Town of Taber has banned compostable bags from compost carts.

You can still use paper bags or line your carts with newspaper, paper towel, or pizza boxes (which are all compostable materials).

Why is Compost Cart Collection Bi-Weekly in Winter and Weekly in Summer?

In winter, compost collection is bi-weekly because there’s less yard waste and compost. In summer, collection is weekly to handle the extra grass clippings, garden waste, and other compostable materials from the growing season.

What if the Carts Begin to Smell?

To keep your carts smelling fresh, try these tips:

• Rinse carts out regularly with soap and water.
• Layer yard waste or newspaper at the bottom to soak up liquids.
• Use paper bags for compostable items (biodegradable/compostable bags are not allowed).
• Freeze smelly items, like food scraps, until collection day in warmer months.
• Keep the cart lid closed to reduce odors.

These simple steps can help keep your carts cleaner and reduce any smells.

For items that cannot be composted or recycled, you can place these items into your brown cart.

Why is the brown cart the smallest of the three?

When Taber switched to a 3-cart system in 2014, we chose a smaller brown cart to encourage more recycling and composting. The larger blue and green carts were chosen to give plenty of space for recyclables and yard waste, especially with our longer growing season.

Do I Need to Use a Garbage Bag?

For items going into the brown cart, you must use a garbage bag.

I keep filling my brown cart. Can I get a second or larger one?

Recycling and composting should reduce the amount in your brown cart. But if you find you're still filling it (due to medical waste, diapers, etc.), we do have an option for a larger brown cart or an additional one for an additional fee.

Please contact our Utilities Clerk (403-223-6002 or email) to request an additional cart on your account.

For a detailed map of the waste collection areas for residential pickup, see which area you are in on the map below and select the collection dates for that area. You can see individual residences on this map and can find out which area you are in.

When Should I set my Carts Out? 

Place your cart(s) in the alley or on the curb by 7 AM the morning of your collection day, or the night before. Please don't be late or your carts will be missed!

When Are Carts Collected?

On collection day, our collectors work from 7 AM to 7 PM. The pick-up time for your cart may change each week, so don’t count on the same time every time.

Routes may change because of things like truck repairs, delays, or other schedule changes. So, the time your cart is picked up could be different week to week.

We sometimes get calls about “missed” carts when the truck hasn’t arrived at its usual time. Carts are only considered missed if they haven’t been picked up by 7 PM on collection day.

To make sure your cart is collected, please have it out by 7 AM.

How do I Place my Carts?

For Areas WITHOUT an Alley (Front Curb Collection):

1. Place it: Carts should be at the curb for collection no later than 7 AM, and no earlier than 7 PM the night before.
2. Park it: Carts should be on the street with the wheels against the curb.
3. Point it: Make sure the arrow on the top of the lid is pointing to the centre of the road.
4. *Space it: Leave at least an arms' length (3 feet) between and behind the cart and other objects (cars, fences, poles), and at least 10 feet above the cart (power lines, trees, etc.).
5. Remove it: Please remove your carts from the street after collection is completed, and store them on your own property. If you do not, you could be subject to a fine.
6. Snow: do not place your cart on/behind a snow bank. Make sure the cart lid is free from snow.

Alley Collection:

1. Place it: Carts should be in the alley for collection no later than 7 AM, and no earlier than 7 PM the night before.
2. Park it: Carts should be on your side of the alley with wheels facing your house.
3. Point it: Make sure the arrow on the top of the lid is pointing to the centre of the alley.
4. *Space it: Leave at least an arms' length (3 feet) between and behind the cart and other objects (cars, fences, poles), and at least 10 feet above the cart (power lines, trees, etc.).
5. Remove it: Please remove your carts from the alley after collection is completed, and store them on your own property. If you do not, you could be subject to a fine.
6. Snow: do not place your cart on/behind a snow bank. Make sure the cart lid is free from snow.

Why Do the Carts Need so much Space?

In order for our trucks to collect the carts, they need enough clearance for the arms on the trucks to encircle the carts to pick them up without hitting cars, fences, or other carts. The arms lift them high to empty them, so we need at least 10 feet of clearance above so the arms don't hit anything when the carts are lifted.

If your carts were placed out by 7 AM* and they were not collected by by 7 PM, please report a missed cart using any of the below:

• Recycle Coach App: click the "help" button on the bottom-right of the screen.
• Email
• Call the Town Shop: 403-223-6018

* Sometimes carts can be obstructed by cars, fences, infrastructure, power lines, other waste carts, etc. Carts needs 3 feet (1 meter) of clearance on either side and 10 feet (3 meters) of clearance above the cart.

If the trucks cannot safely collect your carts due to nearby hazards or there is not enough space for the trucks' machine arms to grab the cart, they may be missed. Please see our FAQs for more information.

• Please note that recycling & compost are handled by third-party contractors. If you have issues with your blue or green cart collection, please contact the Town Shop using any of the above and we will be able to investigate on your behalf. 

Yes, you can request additional carts, or a larger brown cart. 

• Compost Carts: These carts are free of charge. Please contact our Public Works Shop at 403-223-6018 or by email to ask for an additional cart.
  • Sometimes, if there’s a delay in receiving carts from our supplier, we may need to place requests for additional recycling and compost carts on a waitlist. Our staff will inform you if this applies to your request.
• Recycling Carts: Because the Province has taken over the recycling program in Alberta, extra recycling carts are not available at this time. If this changes, we will be sure to let residents know.
• Residual Waste (brown) Carts: please contact the Utilities Clerk (403-223-6002 or by email) to ask for an additional (or larger) brown cart. An additional monthly fee will apply.

We have a few options in Taber for these types of items!

Recycling:

• Taber Transfer Station has a number of free recycling drop-offs for many materials (used oil, paint, appliances, etc.). Here's a quick guide.
• Taber Container Depot for bottles/cans
• Recycling Bins (free): located behind the Taber Police Station 5700 50th Avenue (please do not dump garbage here; this site is monitored by security cameras and illegal dumping can result in penalties).
• There are also private businesses who can take e-waste in our community (electronics, etc.).

Compost:

• Taber Transfer Station has a free compost drop-off site.
• 80th Avenue Compost drop-off site (free)
• For leaves & branches, we have two Fall Tree Chipper Programs each spring & fall. See below for more information on this program.

Large Amounts of Waste:

We know that sometimes spring cleaning, moving, etc. causes you to have large amounts of items to dispose of. In addition to the free options above, we also have a Coupon Voucher System to cover the cost of disposing of items at the Transfer Station. More information can be found below.

As the weather cools, yard waste and food scraps naturally decrease, which means there’s less compost to collect. Running biweekly collection during the colder months helps reduce fuel use, equipment wear, and greenhouse gas emissions while keeping the program cost-effective and environmentally responsible. When the growing season returns in spring, weekly collection starts again to match the higher demand.

Compost cart collection is biweekly from November 1st until March 1st, when it goes back to weekly collection.

Twice a year (May & October), the Town picks up tree-trimming branches and leaves after your spring/fall yard cleaning. 

How it Works:

1. Check the waste schedule for Tree Chipper dates in your area (on our App or at the link at the top of this page).
2. Place small branches & leaves in your back alley during the week allowed in your area.
   • Leaves should be placed in compostable/paper bags, or in containers.
3. The next week, Town crews will come to pick up your leaves & branches.

This is NOT an alley cleanup- only branches & leaves will be collected. Any other items left in the alley will not be collected and may result in a fine.

What happens to the tree branches and leaves?

The branches and leaves are repurposed in eco-friendly ways. Branches are chipped into mulch for landscaping in various parks & greenspaces around town, and leaves are composted. By participating, you help reduce waste and support a healthier local environment!

What if I have branches/leaves after the pickup week? 

You can drop off yard trimmings year-round, free of charge, at one of our compost sites:

• Taber Transfer Station compost drop-off
• Compost drop-off on the north side of 80th Avenue, east of the turkey plant

You can also place leaves, grass clippings, and small branches in your green compost cart (no stumps, rocks, sod or dirt are allowed). Cut branches to a small size. 

This is a self-serve option for residents. If you would like compost, we have it freely available at the Transfer Station. 

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (during regular Transfer Station days: Tuesday-Saturday)

Location: Taber Transfer Station (just north of the scale)

Cost: Free for Town of Taber residents

What to Bring with You:

• Shovels & gloves (no mechnical equipment allowed for loading)
• Containers to hold the compost (5-gall buckets, totes, etc.)
• Tarps (to load into your trunk or truck bed)

How much compost can I take?

You can take up to 100 litres of compost per vehicle, per day. the compost must be shoveled into your containers or vehicle. No trailers or commercial vehicles are allowed.