Garbage & Recycling Notices

Zone 8 Curbside Collection Notice - January 23, 2023

Zone 8 curbside collection that was rescheduled for today, January 23 has been cancelled due to road and weather conditions. You will be allowed double your allowable limit next collection day in two weeks.

Solid Waste Closure Notice - January 20, 2023

All Solid Waste Facilities in Kemptown will be CLOSED today January 20 at 1:00pm, due to weather conditions. Thank you and Stay Safe!

Zone 8 Curbside Collection Notice - January 20, 2023

Zone 8 curbside collection for today January 20th has been cancelled for the remainder of day due to unsafe driving conditions. Residents whose materials were not collected, will be collected on Monday January 23. Materials should be curbside by 7am on Monday.

This cancellation DOES NOT affect collection in Town of Truro.

Zone 3 Curbside Collection Notice - January 10, 2023

Zone 3 curbside collection for today January 10th has been cancelled due to unsafe driving conditions in and around Tatamagouche and Brule. This collection will be rescheduled for Monday January 16th. This cancellation DOES NOT affect collection in Town of Truro.

Solid Waste Facilities - Holiday Closure Notice

The Solid Waste Facilities in Kemptown will be CLOSED on Monday December 26, Tuesday December 27 and Monday January 2. Please note that residential curbside collection will still occur on Tuesday, December 27.

Colchester Celebrates Completion of Post-Fiona Tree & Yard Debris Collection:

The Municipality of Colchester is celebrating the completion of its extensive post-Fiona Tree and Yard Debris Collection program eight weeks after it began. The program successfully served all residents throughout the Municipality whose material was curbside at their regular collection location by the October 11, 2022, start date.

“Following the overwhelming devastation left by Hurricane Fiona, Council recognized the need to respond quickly to help residents. Tipping fees for Fiona-related tree and yard debris were first waived at our Colchester Solid Waste Facilities in Kemptown. Then planning for a special collection program quickly got underway,” recalls Colchester County Mayor, Christine Blair. “Although an unexpected and unbudgeted expense, Council was fortunate to be able to support the program.”

“The first challenge was identifying a collection approach that could accommodate the sheer size and volume of debris that residents were dealing with,” explains Colchester’s Director of Solid Waste, Phillip Redden. “Then the task of sourcing adequate equipment, operators, and in some cases traffic control services, amidst labour shortages and circumstances where other public and private entities were competing for the same resources, was the next hurtle to overcome.”

Employing as many local assets as were available, the collection team used the same “turn by turn” route-mapping technology as is used for regular garbage, recycling, and compost collection to ensure no one would be missed. In all, 1400 truckloads totalling over 1850 tonnes of material was collected, adding to the 933 tonnes of material that had been brought to the Kemptown facility by residents themselves.

The Municipality’s contribution to Fiona clean-up efforts is anticipated to reach approximately $500,000. However, staff are hopeful that a portion of these funds may be recovered through Federal emergency assistance programs.

“In addition to our special collection program, we were also very fortunate in Colchester to have had neighbours helping one another, and teams from Christian Aid Ministries Rapid Response Services and the Department of Natural Resources assisting homeowners with their individual clean-ups. We have come a very long way since Fiona arrived on September 24,” says Mayor Blair. “I also want to acknowledge the volunteer services of our fire brigades, first responders, Colchester Ground Search and Rescue, our regional Emergency Management team, and all Colchester staff involved for the tremendous amount of work they did in the aftermath of Fiona.”

Residents who continue to require support may call 211 or visit the following website to determine what Provincial program options remain available: https://novascotia.ca/hurricane-fiona-support

Facility Closure and Collection Notice - November 11, 2022

All Solid Waste Facilities in Kemptown will be closed on November 11, 2022.

If your collection is scheduled for Friday, November 11 this collection will take place on the following Monday, November 14. Materials must be curbside by 7:00am to ensure it is collected.

For more information please refer to your collection schedule or visit Collection Schedule.

Compost Giveaway is Over!

We are completely out of compost! Due to damage to the facility from the hurricane and the higher demand we have seen over the past season, we have ran out of finished compost. Stay tuned to the website for details on our Spring Compost Giveaway and to find out when sales will resume.

Post-Fiona Tree & Yard Debris Collection Program - October 11, 2022

The Municipality of Colchester will be initiating a post-Fiona Tree and Yard Debris Collection Program beginning Tuesday, October 11, 2022.  Collection will begin at 8 am in Zone 4 (Brookside, Nuttby, Bible Hill areas), Zone 6 (Greenfield, Harmony, Salmon River areas), and Zone 2 (Debert, Belmont, Masstown areas), and will progress to other collection zones throughout the County as these are completed.

• Material must be placed at/along roadside by 8am on October 11, 2022. Be careful not to block sidewalks or roadways with material. 
• Size of material allowed – Up to maximum 6 ft. length. No limit on diameter (width).
• Tree and yard debris only. NO construction or demolition waste.
• Brush and larger material may be picked up at different times. Be patient. All eligible material will eventually be picked up.
• Be aware of crews and heavy equipment that may temporarily block roadways or reduce traffic to one lane during this collection.
• Drop off at the Kemptown Waste Management Facility remains open during regular hours.
• Tipping fees for tree and yard debris continue to be waived for Colchester County residents until November 18, 2022. 
• Regular waste collection (garbage, compost, and recycling) schedules have resumed. 

Updates will continue to be posted to our municipal social media channels (e.g., Facebook), website (Colchester.ca), shared via local radio, and the Recollect Waste Collection App.  Residents may also contact the Solid Waste Helpline at 902-895-4777 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.