The City of Courtenay will be picking up curbside waste more efficiently, as it starts on a new route system in July.
This means there will be some adjustments to solid waste collection schedules and zones starting on July 2. The changes are part of the City of Courtenay鈥檚 ongoing efforts to streamline service and align schedules with regional partners.
Automated curbside collection was introduced in Courtenay 2024, followed by the launch of North America鈥檚 first fully electric solid waste collection fleet by service provider Emterra later that year. The transition to biweekly garbage and weekly organics collection has contributed to a 40 per cent reduction in landfill waste and a substantial drop in greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking for more optimization, the city and Emterra have created new collection zones (A, B, C, D) across Courtenay. Many households will see a change to their regular collection day. Updated zone maps and schedules will be delivered by mail, published online, printed in the Record, and accessible through the Courtenay Collects app. However, collection frequency will remain the same, as will the rotating calendar where the pick up day is shifted one day after each Statutory Holiday.
Chris Thompson, the City鈥檚 Manager of Public Works Services, said automated collection has increased the reliability of curbside collection services in Courtenay. 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a much more regular and dependable curbside service, with far fewer delays compared to previous years,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淲e had anticipated making this schedule adjustment mid-way through 2025 as Emterra refined their collection routes, and that鈥檚 why the previous 2025 schedule covered only January through June. We encourage Courtenay residents to check the new schedule so they鈥檙e ready for collection day starting in July. 鈥�
The updated calendar will be distributed by mail and posted on the City鈥檚 website, in the Record and through the Courtenay Collects app. To get the updated collection schedule and sign up for reminders to your mobile device, email or phone, visit or contact Operational Services at 250-338-1525.
