Downtown shared waste container pilot
Starting in 2026, Guelph's Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program will begin construction along Wyndham St. N., including the installation of a new waste collection system over the next several years. We’re acting now to ensure that waste collection in the Downtown is easier to understand, more efficient, environmentally friendly, and aligned with upcoming regulations. These improvements are designed to enhance the experience for everyone—businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
We're launching a pilot program to test new shared waste sites at three locations:
- the Macdonell Street lot,
- the laneway between 72 and 80 Macdonell Street, and
- Wilson Street.
We're seeking businesses and residents in the surrounding area to participate in the pilot program for free.
Pilot program has been extended!
Thanks to positive feedback from businesses and residents, the shared bins will stay at the three pilot locations through the winter of 2025- 2026.
Our staff will continue to work with users and maintain sites throughout the winter to encourage good waste disposal habits and ensure the cleanliness and functionality of the sites as we prepare for permanent solutions as part of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal.
We'll be sure to keep registered participants informed as the program evolves.
To share an issue or complaint about a shared waste site please complete this short form or you may email downtownwaste@guelph.ca or contact Service Guelph at 519-822-1260. (TTY 519-826-9771)
Who's Listening
Jordyn Divok, Circular Economy Specialist, City of Guelph
Phases
How we got here
What Led us to do this Pilot?
Federation of Canadian Municipalities Organics Project
Guelph received a $500,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to support food waste reduction initiatives. The funding will support three pilot programs, including an ongoing project to expand a cooperative organics collection model in the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) sector. The goal is to divert food waste from landfills.
As part of this initiative, Guelph has partnered with Sustainable Waterloo Region to test this cooperative collection model in the Downtown area. This project aligns naturally with the goals of the Downtown shared waste pilot. Through this collaboration, businesses are being supported by the shared waste system to explore how the cooperative model could work in a Downtown setting.
Solid Waste Management Master Plan
Guelph's most recent Solid Waste Management Master Plan includes a task report focused on improving waste collection in the Downtown area.
This report, entitled the Downtown Services Review helped guide the City’s efforts to create a more effective and sustainable waste management system for the Downtown core. It recommended exploring further opportunities to enhance Downtown waste services by:
- Reviewing feedback from previous community engagement about existing challenges
- Analyzing approaches used by other municipalities
- Identifying potential solutions for future waste collection improvements in Guelph
Shared waste sites were identified as a potential opportunity in the Downtown, and the need for this pilot program to test them out were a direct result from that research and engagement.
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