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Garbage carts next to a satelite image of Downtown Guelph showing Cork, Wilson, Macdonell, Carden and Wyndham streets with the tree pilot site locations

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

Jordyn Divok, Circular Economy Specialist, City of Guelph

downtownwaste@guelph.ca

Jordyn.divok@guelph.ca 


Robertson Reid

Robertson Reid, Project Manager, City of Guelph

downtownwaste@guelph.ca

rob.reid@guelph.ca  


"Satellite view of downtown Guelph, Ontario, showing labeled streets including Macdonell St., Wilson St., Cork St E, Carden St, and Norfolk St.

Phases

Phases overview
How we got here
Registration open
Downtown Shared Waste Pilot - Feedback
Decision to continue

Downtown Shared Waste Pilot - Feedback

October 20, 2025 - November 8, 2025

Are you a registered user in the pilot program? We want to hear from you.

Watch your inbox. A survey will be sent to registered users directly.

We've made a lot of changes during the Pilot program:

  • We added shared waste collection sites in the Macdonell parking lot, the laneway between 72 and 80 Macdonell Street, and on Wilson Street. 
  • We’ve reduced the number of public waste containers along the street, replacing them with pedestrian-use litter containers.
  • We've tested out some new types of containers and levels of service

We're seeking your thoughts on these changes now, while the pilot is still running, so we can continue to learn and adapt during the pilot program. What we learn now will help us as we plan our use of underground containers in the long term to meet the waste disposal needs of residents and businesses.

Your feedback will be used in our report back to Council and will help us determine if this pilot should be extended into 2026 as we begin to switch to the underground container solution.

Interested in registering for the pilot? There is still time!

We’re accepting registration from residents and businesses within 100m walk of the shared waste to participate for free in the pilot program through to the closing date on October 17.

Register for the pilot

Learn more about registration and who is qualified in phase two of this project.