Waste, recycling and composting

Garbage chutes

Each floor is equipped with a garbage chute. Please ensure you only drop small doubled-bagged waste bags. Bigger items should be brought down to the waste/recycling room in the garage. Please do not leave any refuse in the garbage chute rooms. Do not drop bulky, dangerous, flammable or liquid items down the garbage chute.

Not sure how to dispose of something in particular? Use the Waste Explorer. 

Recycling (blue bins)

We have an extensive recycling program at The Gardens and have multiple recycling bins. Recycling collection is now under Ontario’s new Individual Producer Responsibility framework. The Gardens follows these rules as they apply to multi-unit buildings in Ottawa. Please follow the instructions on the signs in the waste room keeping in mind the following:

  • DO NOT put any garbage in the blue bins
  • Cardboard boxes must be flattened before being placed in the paper recycling bin
  • Do not package any of your recycling items in any form of plastic bags (not even the blue biodegradable bags)
  • Wine bottles and beers cans are set aside for the cleaning/superintendent staff in the small green bin just inside the door on the left. We have a tradition of letting them keep the deposit money collections

Accepted

  • Bottles & jars
  • Metal cans, soft drink cans;
  • Aluminium container/foil
  • Plastic containers #1 to #7
  • Milk/juice cartons

NOT accepted

  • Garbage
  • Food scraps
  • Ceramic dishes
  • Light bulbs, mirrors
  • Clothes hangers
  • Toys
  • Pots and pans
  • Motor oil container
  • Hazardous water

The City of Ottawa provides more information on what goes in the blue bins. Or you can go directly to Circular Materials for more information about how to sort your recycling for collection.

Composting

We also have an extensive composting program in place. Compost material must be placed in a compost bag or a plastic bag before depositing it in the green bins. Compost material includes:

  • Meat, fish, bones, egg shells, mouldy food;
  • Animal beddings;
  • Butcher’s meat wrap
  • Dog Feces (must be in sealed, leak-proof bags)
  • Dryer lint
  • Floor sweepings, vacuum bags
  • Food soiled pizza boxes
  • Household plants
  • Kitty litter
  • Waxed paper, popsicle sticks, toothpicks
  • Yard waste

Not allowed: Diapers and sanitary products.

The City of Ottawa provides more information on what is accepted in our green composting bins.

Rules on waste, recycling and composting

12. GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING

Garbage chute

12.1.      Garbage shall only be placed in the garbage chute during the hours posted in the garbage chute rooms.

12.2.      Loose garbage is not to be deposited in the garbage chute or in the garbage room. All garbage must first be properly bound, packaged or double-bagged to prevent mess, odours and disintegration during its fall down the garbage chute or while in the Corporation’s garbage containers.

12.3.      No one shall dispose of large objects, liquids, glass, metal, chemicals, hazardous products, flammable materials or other items susceptible of damaging the garbage chute. These items include, but are not limited to batteries, electronics, cigarettes, ashes, firecrackers, glass, liquids, toxic materials or any pyrotechnics.

12.4.      Nothing shall be placed in any garbage chute which may result in blockage of the chute.

12.5.      No items whatsoever shall be left on the floor outside the garbage chute.

Recycling / Composting

12.6.      All recyclable materials such as newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes and bottles shall be placed only in designated recycling bins in the garbage area. Such items shall not be left outside the Unit or in the garbage chute area or on any exclusive use common element (including balconies, patios or terraces).

12.7.      When and if composting becomes mandatory in Ottawa, and in the meantime on a voluntarily basis, all composting material, as accepted by the City of Ottawa’s composting program, shall be placed in the appropriate designated composting bins located in the garbage room, in compliance and following directions posted there from time to time.

Large items

12.8.      Boxes or large cardboard shall not be put in the garbage chute. These articles must be taken to the recycling bins located in the garbage area. Boxes should be flattened and placed in the appropriate bin. Occupiers must make arrangements with delivery companies for the disposal of any packaging used to transport or deliver bulky items, furniture or appliances.

12.9.      Occupiers must make arrangements for the disposal of furniture or appliances such as mattresses, chesterfields, refrigerators and other large items. No such item shall be left in any common element area, including exclusive use common areas, the parking garage, the garbage room or at the curb.

The Gardens Rules v. Oct. 2020

 

 Last updated August 2026

Scroll to Top