Garbage tag exception coming for Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon residents

Residents in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon can get rid of some extra garbage free of charge starting next week.

Starting on Feb. 7, every Peel household can place up to two extra garbage bags at the curb on their garbage collection day without requiring bag tags.

Additional bags beyond the 2-bag limit will not be collected.

The two additional bag tag exemption runs until March 4, and the Region says residents who have already purchased bag tags are advised to hold on to them until after the exemption period.

The Region scrapped a planned winter garbage exeption earlier this month, and staffing shortages due to COVID-19 is still impacting bluky item pick-up.

More than two weeks ago, the Region of Peel froze bulky waste item collection due to “a reduction in essential front-line workers.”

While residents can still take their excess garbage and bulky items to a Community Recycling Centre for a disposal fee, curbside bulky items pick-up is suspended until further notice.

Here are some tips for excess garbage placement and collection:

• Excess garbage must be placed at the curb in black plastic bags only, not in containers.
• Additional bags beyond the 2-bag limit will not be collected.
• Put your extra garbage out on your garbage collection day. Collectors will not pick up garbage from the curb on recycling collection days.
• Place your excess garbage next to your garbage cart. Leave 1 m (3 ft.) of space between the excess garbage and the cart.
• A garbage bag placed at the curb for collection cannot weigh more than 20 kg, be larger than 66 cm wide and 90 cm high, or be smaller than 30 cm wide and 30 cm high.

The Region said collectors might collect your cart and excess garbage at different times during the day.

Leave your garbage cart and excess garbage at the curb until 8 p.m. If neither are collected by 8 p.m., report a missed collection.

Waste management will continue to regularly monitor the situation and advise on changes, if necessary. For more information, please visit peelregion.ca/waste.