Brown Garbage Cart
The City of St. Albert uses a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) garbage system. The PAYT program allows residents to choose the size of their Brown Garbage Cart based on usage, and the size of each cart has a corresponding fee associated with it.
Cart Collection
The Residential Solid Waste Management Bylaw (6/2025) describes the rules and regulations which must be followed for waste collection.
Learn more by viewing the Cart collection rules
Failure to follow these regulations will result in:
- Carts being tagged with an explanation of what requirement is not being met.
- No cart collection.
The Residential Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 06/25 was amended and approved on April 1, 2025. These amendments encourage waste reduction by diverting more waste through organics and recycling options.
The following changes are in effect as of May 1, 2025:
- Brown Cart Fee Changes: Any increase in cart size will incur a one-time $50 dollar admin fee. No fee is charged for a decrease in cart size.
- Additional Brown Cart Subscription Fee Changes: Any additional brown cart will cost $20.80 per month per cart. This is in addition to the first 240 L cart fee of $10.40 per month and the $10.04 flat rate.*
- Residents can only request one Green Organics Cart.
*Current residents with multiple carts will be contacted with options before any fee changes are implemented.
What Goes in the Brown Garbage Cart?
Download the "What Goes Where?" Quick Sorting Guide or search for specific items using the tool below.
Curbside Collection Guidelines
Frequency of Collection
Your Brown Garbage Cart is collected once every two weeks on your household's designated waste collection day.
Please refer to the Collection Schedule for specific details.
Cart Information
Cart Sizes and Monthly Rates
| Size | Capacity (L) | Capacity (Bags)* | Rate (/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 80 | One | $1.30 |
| Medium | 120 | Two | $5.41 |
| Large | 240 | Four | $10.40 |
| Additional Large | 240 | Four | $20.80 |
* Based on a standard 76 cm x 86 cm or 30" x 34" garbage bag | |||
More information on the utility rates (flat fee, recycling, organics, etc.) can be found in the Account & Rates section.
Cart Repair and Replacements
To request a change in size, repair or replacement, please contact the City of St. Albert’s WasteWise team at 780-459-1557, wastewise@stalbert.ca, or complete the online request form: Change, Repair or Replace Carts.
Move In Move Out Procedures
The Brown Garbage and Green Organics Carts are assigned to the household and cannot be removed or taken when moving. If the carts are removed, the former home owner could be responsible to reimburse the City for the cost of the replacement carts. Please leave the carts for the new occupants.
If the carts at your new house are not your desired size, you can request to change the cart sizes here.
Resources for Extra Garbage
Extra Garbage tags
If you have additional garbage above your subscription level, you can purchase "Extra Garbage" tags from Servus Credit Union Place, Fountain Park Recreation Centre or St. Albert Place during business hours. These tags cost $2.25 each and can be placed on garbage bags and dropped off at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot. Please note that tags cannot be purchased on site. Tags with an expiry date are not accepted.
Please note: garbage bags can weigh a maximum of 50 pounds and can be a maximum size of 76 centimetres by 86 centimetres (30 inches by 34 inches). No large items, construction, or demolition materials accepted.
Additional Garbage Cart
The City of St. Albert encourages residents to make use of the curbside organics and recycling programs to divert as much waste as possible; however, households can request an additional Brown Garbage Cart if the largest sized cart (240 L) is insufficient.
There is a $50.00 administration fee for this request, as well as an additional charge of $20.80 per month on the utility bill. To request an additional cart, please complete the Request Form.
Home Health Care Waste Exemption
The City of St. Albert supplies an additional Large (240 L) Brown Garbage Cart at no cost for residents with home health care needs. Households must be subscribed to a Large (240 L) Brown Garbage Cart to qualify for this program. Acceptable items include empty or sealed colostomy bags, incontinence pads and products, and intravenous bags and tubing. Hazardous waste, such as sharps and medication, is not acceptable.
If you qualify for the Home Health Care Waste Exemption Program, please complete the following application form and email a scanned copy to wastewise@stalbert.ca or submit in person to Utilities Services. For more information, please contact Utilities Services at 780-459-1520 (Option # 2).
Large Items
The City of St. Albert currently holds events such as Curbside Large Item Pick Up and Large Item Drop-Off, which accepts residents' large items that will not fit inside the Brown Garbage Cart. For more information about the large item events check our Seasonal Waste Programs.
The City of Edmonton's Eco Stations and Edmonton Waste Management Centre also accepts residential waste for disposal. For more information about acceptable items and fees, please visit the City of Edmonton's Waste Drop-off Facilities page
Related Pages
Last edited: January 9, 2026
