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What goes in the black cart? Calgary garbage guide
The black cart is the last resort, not the default. In Calgary most household waste belongs in the blue or green cart — the black cart is for what's genuinely left over. It's collected every two weeks, year-round.
✅ Yes — these are actually garbage
- Styrofoam and foam packing peanuts
- Chip bags and candy wrappers (crinkly plastic)
- Cling wrap, plastic cutlery, straws
- Black plastic containers — sorting machines can't detect them
- Paper coffee cups (plastic-lined) and wax/parchment paper
- Diapers and hygiene products
- Broken ceramics and mirrors (wrap sharp pieces), drinking glasses and Pyrex
- Incandescent and LED bulbs (fluorescents are hazardous — depot)
- Small amounts of cooking oil, sealed in a container
❌ No — these don't belong in the black cart
- Anything recyclable — see the blue cart guide
- Food, yard waste and food-soiled paper — see the green cart guide
- Batteries, paint, medication and chemicals — hazardous, free depot drop-off
- Electronics — free at Eco Centres
- Furniture, mattresses, appliances — large-item options
Overflowing cart?
- Extra bags need a City garbage tag each, or they'll be left behind.
- Chronically full? Audit what's inside — pizza boxes, food scraps and containers usually make up the bulk, and all of those belong in the other two carts.
- Lid should close fully; keep 0.5 m clearance and wheels toward the house.
Black cart day varies by address — look yours up and get a free reminder the evening before.