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Large Item Collection - FAQs

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Below is a list of frequently asked questions with respect to the Town's Large Item Collection.

What is Large Item Collection?

The Town of Petawawa provides residential properties with curbside collection of large household items that would not typically fit in a regular size garbage bag.

  • Large amounts of garbage, does not equal large items.
     
  • Material placed out in cardboard boxes or garbage bags or containers WILL NOT be collected for Large Item Collection.

 When does the Large Item Collection occur?

Large Item Collection will occur the week of May 27th on your regular collection day.

Items are to be placed curbside no earlier than Sunday, May 26th and no later than 5:00 a.m. on the day of your collection.

For example: If your regular collection day is on Wednesday, you may begin putting out large items for pick up on Sunday, but you may not add any more items for pick up after 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday. The collection truck WILL NOT return to your street to pick up large items that are placed out for pick up after 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Will my Large Item Collection material get collected over several days?

No. Everything will be collected in "one day", on your regular collection day by four (4) separate collection crews, as follows:

  1. Scrap Metal & Non-Freon Metal Appliances
  2. Freon Appliances
  3. Acceptable Large Items
  4. Electronic Waste

On the odd occasion due to extenuating circumstances, the collection contractor may have to complete the scheduled route on the following day; otherwise, any remaining non-compliant items need to be removed from the curbside immediately. Refer to the Large Item Collection Notice for acceptable Large Household Items.

I own a business and receive curbside collection, can I set out items for Large Item Collection?

No. Large Item Collection is for residential properties only.

Why didn't my rug/pillows/patio cushions get collected?

Carpet and underlay is accepted. Small area rugs, pillows, and patio cushions are not accepted as they are classified as textiles and are small enough to be put into a regular garbage bag.

Why didn't my vacuum cleaner/microwave/coffee maker get picked up?

Electrical appliances must have the cords cut off prior to collection and if it is plastic or metal and small enough to fit in your yellow bin, it can be recycled.

Is there a certain way to organize my Large Items for collection?

Yes. Large Item Collection material should be kept separate from your regular collection items. This week is also regular green cart (organic) and blue box collection. If possible, put your regular items out on one side of your driveway, and put your Large Items out for pick up on the opposite side of the driveway.

Large Item Collection material must be sorted into four (4) separate distinct piles, as follows:

  1. Scrap Metal & Non-Freon Metal Appliances (i.e. Scrap metal - BBQs, stainless steel sinks, bicycles, exercise equipment, microwave ovens, stoves, and Non-Freon Metal Appliances - washer, dryer, dishwasher) with electrical cords cut off/removed.
     
  2. Freon Appliances (i.e. fridges, freezers, air conditioners, water coolers, dehumidifiers) with doors taken off of fridges and freezers.
     
  3. Acceptable Large Items (i.e. furniture, boxsprings & mattresses, carpets & underlay, pool covers, luggage & hockey bags larger than 9" x 14" x 22", mops, brooms, shovels & rakes, large bulky household plastic items such as children's swimming pools, lawn chairs & large outdoor toys).
     
  4. Electronic Waste (i.e. TVs, computers, radios, speakers) with electrical cords cut off/removed.

Why didn't my flower pots get picked up?

Flower pots and trays are not acceptable for Large Item Collection.

Acceptable Large Items are typically items that would not fit in a regular garbage bag.

Exceptions:
 

  1. Small metal appliances (iron, kettle, mixer, electric frying pan, coffee pot) may fit in a garbage bag, but they are recyclable and should be placed in your yellow container (with electrical cords removed). Electrical cords should be placed in your regular garbage.
     
  2. Electronic waste may fit in a garbage bag, but it cannot be set out in your regular garbage. Electronic waste is accepted curbside during Large Item Collection or can be brought to an Environmental Day event for disposal.
     
  3. Hazardous or Special Waste (HSW) may fit in a garbage bag, but these materials must not go in your regular garbage and are never collected curbside. HSW material is accepted year round at the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre free of charge. If set out for Large Item Collection, these items WILL Not be collected and must be removed from the curbside immediately.
     
  4. Construction and renovation material may also fit in a garbage bag, but these materials cannot go in your regular garbage and are never collected curbside. Construction and renovation material must be brought to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (tipping fees may apply). If set out for Large Item Collection, these items WILL NOT be collected and must be removed from the curbside immediately.

Can I set out extra bagged garbage for Large Item Collection?

No. Extra garbage in bags, cardboard boxes, and/or rigid, reusable containers (i.e. garbage cans) WILL NOT be collected for Large Item Collection.

Can I set out small items, loose or in a garbage container/cardboard box for Large Item Collection?

No. Small items (smaller than 9" x 14" x 22") placed out in bags, cardboard boxes, and/or rigid, reusable containers (i.e. garbage cans) or set out loose, WILL NOT be collected for Large Item Collection.

Why didn't all my items get collected?

  • If your item was set out late, after 5:00 a.m. on the day of your collection, it WILL NOT be collected.
     
  • If you added items to the curb throughout the week, they WILL NOT be collected.
     
  • If you set something out AFTER your regular collection day, it WILL NOT be collected.
     
  • If your item was a non-acceptable item, it will be tagged and WILL NOT be collected. Large Item Collection is for large household items: furniture, mattresses, carpets, large bulky household plastic, large appliances and scrap metal and electronic waste. Refer to the Large Item Collection Notice for further details.
     
  • If your item exceeded the size or weight restriction, it will be tagged and WILL NOT be collected. Material must be manageable by two (2) people and cannot exceed:
    • 36 kg (80 lbs)
    • a volume of 0.76m3 (27 ft3)
    • any dimension greater than 1.3 m (6 ft)
       
  • If your item was a small item (smaller than 9" x 14" x 22" or items that can fit into a regular garbage bag or can) it should have been placed in your regular garbage, it will be tagged and WILL NOT be collected. Typically, if the item can fit in a garbage bag, it is not an acceptable item for Large Item Collection (this does not apply to hazardous or special waste or construction or renovation material, which are NEVER collected curbside).
     
  • If your material was not sorted into four (4) separate and distinct piles (1. Scrap metal and non-freon appliances, 2. Freon appliances, 3. Acceptable large items, and 4. Electronic waste) it will be tagged and WILL NOT be collected.

What do I do with my items that were left at the curbside?

  • Any items that are left at the curbside after collection must be removed from the curbside immediately.
     
  • Hazardous or Special Waste (i.e. paints, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, propane cylinders) is NEVER collected curbside. It is accepted year round at the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre and at an Environmental Day event. Please check your collection calendar for dates.
     
  • Construction/renovation material is NEVER collected curbside and must be brought to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre for disposal (tipping fees may apply).

If you have a question that has not been addressed, please contact the Public Works Department at email@petawawa.ca with "Large Item Collection" in the subject line of your message.

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