Curbside Waste Collection Program

Residents are encouraged to recycle and compost as much waste as possible through the curbside collection program in Ponoka. Not only does it divert waste from the landfill, it also saves on tipping fees at the landfill, which can help offset future utility rate increases.

To determine your regular scheduled day for waste pick up, please see the 2026 Waste Collection Calendar (printable pdf).

Please have green and grey carts, as well as recycling at the curb for waste pick up by 6 a.m. on your designated collection day.

Curbside Recycling Expands Starting October 1

Beginning this October, recyclable materials at the curb will be expanded to include:

Flexible plastic and films;
Empty aerosol containers;
Foam packaging;
Paper laminates (like coffee cups and ice cream containers); and
Glass containers.

Circular Materials

Responsibility for the collection of recyclable materials at the curb in Ponoka has transferred to a new non-profit organization called Circular Materials. The change is the result of a new provincial regulation called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) that was added to Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. EPR shifts the responsibility for recycling away from municipalities to producers of single-use packaging and paper products.

No Other Changes at the Curb

Other than the expanded list of items that can be recycled at the curb beginning October 1 (see above), Ponoka residents should not notice any other changes to the curbside recycling program in town. Recycling materials will continue to be picked up by the contractor, E360S, biweekly in accordance with the existing collection schedule. The Town will continue to promote recycling as part of the curbside waste collection program. The Town of Ponoka also continues to operate the Grey Cart and Green Cart programs for compostable and household waste, as well as the Town of Ponoka Waste Transfer Station.

Please click on the links below to learn more about the curbside waste collection program:

What can I put in my green cart?

What can I put in my grey cart?

What recyclable materials are accepted through the curbside waste collection program?

Where do I put my cart or bag of recycling during waste collection days?

What happens to my carts when I move?

Where can I find the curbside waste collection calendar?

What happens if my cart is missed for pickup?

What about waste collection days that fall on a statutory holiday?

Why do green carts switch to biweekly pickup during the winter months?

Why are grey carts not picked up weekly through the curbside waste collection program?

The curbside waste collection program was implemented to encourage citizens to divert more waste from the landfill by recycling and composting. The goal is to eventually help the Town achieve the provincial target of 80 per cent waste diversion. Before the program began, only 10 per cent of household waste in Ponoka was being diverted. Today, about 50 per cent of waste is diverted from the landfill through the curbside waste collection program.