Solid Waste Strategy Review

Automated Cart-Based Collection Survey

As part of the ongoing efforts to improve waste management and enhance community services, the Halifax Regional Municipality is exploring a cart-based collection system for garbage, similar to the green cart program for the collection of residential organics.

A survey to gauge public interest and support will be available until December 20. The results of the survey will be used to inform a ‘Garbage/Organics Automated Cart Based Collection Implementation Plan’ which staff will present to Halifax Regional Council in Spring 2025.

Cart-based collection of waste is an emerging trend across Canada. Factors for adopting a cart-based program are typically related to health and safety considerations, modernization of collection infrastructure, citizen satisfaction (e.g., ease of use, storage) and protection from animals/birds and associated litter. Labour shortages have also been a driving factor, as cart-based programs are typically implemented with automated collection which reduces labour requirements.

If implemented, each household would receive a wheeled cart specifically designed for garbage disposal. On collection days, residents would place their carts at the curb, where trucks equipped with hydraulic arms will lift, empty, and return the carts.

Cart-based collection for recycling (i.e., blue carts) is not part of this current evaluation. Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the delivery of curbside recycling collection will shift from the municipality to the producers of blue bag material, commencing in December 2025. Any changes to recycling collection will be at the discretion of that organization.

Solid Waste Strategy Review - Overview

HRM is conducting a Solid Waste Strategy Review. The review began in February 2023, and the final report will be presented to Halifax Regional Council in Spring 2025. There are several reasons for this initiative, including the need to align the solid waste system with the municipality’s climate change action plan, HalifACT, and contributing towards meeting the Nova Scotia’s goal of reducing the provincial waste disposal rate to 300 kg per capita by 2030. Additionally, an update is needed given that the last review was completed in 2014.

Memos and reports have been prepared to explore different options for updating and improving HRM’s solid waste system. Copies of these documents can be found on the right-hand side of this page. New documents will be added as they are completed.

Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund

This project is partially funded by the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, a provincial grant initiative administered by the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities. This fund supports the implementation of initiatives that avoid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Nova Scotia’s emission reduction targets.