Edmontonians raise concerns over garbage pickup as waste piles up

Some Edmontonians say current garbage pickup schedules aren’t enough, with complaints growing about overflowing bins and missed collections.

Some private garbage disposal services in Edmonton tell CityNews they’ve seen an uptick in calls from homeowners needing their services, as some residents report the city hasn’t been picking up their garbage regularly.

“It used to be two times a week it was picked up, things were not too bad then, now it’s reduced to only once a week and by Saturday/Sunday it’s overflowing, and they pick it up every Wednesday,” said one resident.

“It piles up all around it pretty big stacks,  it doesn’t help that people leave mattresses and other bigger items next to the garbage, it does block the entrance sometimes,” added another.

In one northeast Edmonton condo complex, some homeowners say their trash has been piling up, while others have taken to social media to share images of overflowing dumpsters.

The concerns aren’t limited to residents. Those who haul junk for a living say they’ve noticed more people asking for help removing household garbage.

“Especially when it comes to just the look of the garbage behind the house, obviously, homeowners,  they really dislike this, and it’s especially an environmental concern, garbage outside people’s homes is definitely becoming hazardous to the environment,” said Ethan Caines, owner of Weekend Warriors Junk Removal.

Caines says while his company typically focuses on hauling away large items like furniture, they will sometimes take household garbage as a courtesy, something he expects will increase in the summer months when waste begins to smell.

“Especially the mice, when people have garbage bags that is just piling and piling up, mice is a common theme in Edmonton…when you have garbage that’s just piling up and piling up, it’s inevitable that the rodents are going to get in there,” he said.

The City of Edmonton says there are currently no delays with curbside collection. However, officials say the most common reasons garbage is not picked up include overflowing bins with lids left open, placing bins too close together, or simply missing collection day.

The city also notes that illegal dumping of large items at condo and apartment complexes can contribute to ongoing dumpster issues for residents.

All apartment and condo complexes in Edmonton are set to have food scrap collection bins by the end of 2027.