Sylvan Lake

Get collection schedules for most addresses here

• Collection: Tuesday to Friday, including all statutory holidays, except no collection on New Year's Day or Christmas Day
• Place waste out by 8:00 AM on your collection day
• Automated carts are assigned to your civic address; please do not take them with you if you move
• All bagged garbage must fit neatly in your cart, with the lid closed
• Extra carts are not available. Call us at 403 887 2800 if you would like to upgrade the size of cart for more room

Reminders: Get phone call, app push notifications, or email reminders

• Need help signing up? Check out our how-to guide or call 403 887 2800
• Can't find your address? Click on the Need Help? button here

Let us know through the Report a Concern form (select Garbage and recycling missed collection/questions), or at 403 887 2800

• Place cart with its wheels against the curb, or as close as possible to the edge of road, by 8:00 AM;
• Maintain a minimum of 1 meter (3 feet) clearance on both sides of the cart, and a minimum of 0.2 meters (6”) clearance to the rear with unrestricted front access;
• Do not place the cart on the sidewalk;
• Remove carts from the front street by 9:00 PM;
• A reminder that recycling collection is every other week, while garbage collection is weekly.

Keep clear!

• The cart must be a minimum of 1 meter from:
  • Parked vehicles,
  • Recycling bins; and/or
  • yard waste receptacles;
  • Fences; 
  • Walls/Buildings; or
  • Trees/shrubs.
• Please be courteous to your neighbour and remember to park a minimum of 1 meter away from carts;
• A reminder that recycling collection is every other week, while garbage collection is weekly.

Do not overfill your cart - you must ensure the lid of your cart is fully closed. A closed lid ensures:

• Items do not fall onto the street;
• We minimize the risk of damaging the cart;
• Does not attract birds and animals.

Winter placement

• If placing the cart beside a snow bank or windrow, maintain a minimum of 1 meter clearance on both sides of the cart;
• If placing the cart in front of a snow bank or windrow maintain a minimum of 0.2 meters (6”) clearance to the rear of the cart;
• Do not place the cart on a snow bank or windrow;
• A reminder that recycling collection is every other week, while garbage collection is weekly.

• Place cart at the edge of the alley, by 8:00 AM on the collection day;
• Maintain a minimum of 1 meter (3 feet) clearance to the sides of the cart, and a minimum of 0.2 meters (6”) clearance to the rear with unrestricted front access;
• Carts may be left in rear alley year-round;
• A reminder that recycling collection is every other week, while garbage collection is weekly.

Keep clear!

• The cart must be a minimum of 1 meter from:
  • Parked vehicles,
  • Recycling bins; and/or
  • yard waste receptacles;
  • Fences; 
  • Walls/Buildings; or
  • Trees/shrubs.
• Please be courteous to your neighbour and remember to park a minimum of 1 meter away from carts;
• A reminder that recycling collection is every other week, while garbage collection is weekly.

Do not overfill your cart - you must ensure the lid of your cart is fully closed. A closed lid ensures:

• Items do not fall onto the street;
• We minimize the risk of damaging the cart;
• Does not attract birds and animals.

Winter placement

• If placing the cart beside a snow bank or windrow, maintain a minimum of 1 meter clearance on both sides of the cart;
• If placing the cart in front of a snow bank or windrow maintain a minimum of 0.2 meters (6”) clearance to the rear of the cart;
• Do not place the cart on a snow bank or windrow;
• A reminder that recycling collection is every other week, while garbage collection is weekly.

Do not place extra bags on top, or next to your garbage bin. You have a few options for extra garbage that does not fit within your cart:

• Hold onto extra bags until the next collection day
• Take extra material to the Waste Transfer Site
• Consider upgrading to a larger cart. If you would like to upgrade, we offer a larger, 360 L cart for an additional fee. Town staff will collect your smaller cart and replace. Please call 403 887 2800

Contact us at 403 887 2800. We will replace, or even repair carts!

• Automated carts are assigned to your civic address. Please do not take them with you if you move.

Hours 

Location

• 5150 30 Street, Sylvan Lake, AB
• Find us one km east of the roundabout on Highway 11A, and 0.5 km south on 30 Street (RR 12).
• No after-hours access to any part of the Waste Transfer Site

 At the Waste Transfer Site, we accept, free of charge:

• Batteries (car and household)
• Glass
• Electronic items such as TVs, computers, cameras, phones, and printers
• Ink cartridges
• Metal cans & trays
• Paint
• Paper and Cardboard
• Plastics 1 -7
• Vehicle and bicycle tires
• Yard and kitchen waste
• Automotive oil, oil filters, and containers

• Metal
• Propane Tanks
• Freon items, including fridges and freezers (disposal fee by weight)
• Household garbage
• Shingles (must be unloaded by hand)
• Small loads of tree branches (pickup truck or smaller) 
• Mattresses (disposal fee by weight)
• Untreated and treated wood

• Concrete 
• Demolition material
• Hazardous waste
• Flourescent light tubes
• Large loads of tree branches or trunks, these can be taken to the City of Red Deer landfill
• Rock
• Soil

 We accept debit, credit and cash.

Sylvan Lake Residential Rate:

• $100 per tonne
• $0.100 per kilogram
• $5.00 minimum fee (50 kilogram)

Non- Sylvan Lake Residential Rate:

• $138 per tonne
• $0.138 per kilogram
• $6.90 minimum fee (50 kilogram)

For all waste-related inquires, call 403 887 2800

Free battery recycling hosted by the Town. Household and power tool batteries only please, NO automotive batteries. 

Bring your used batteries to recycle stations during normal business hours: 

• NexSource Center Reception 

• Municipal Government Building Reception 

• Municipal Operations Building Reception 

• Waste Transfer Site Electronics tent 

• Find other locations outside of Sylvan Lake: recycleyourbatteries.ca/find-a-drop-off-location 

Drop and/or swap gently used items for free, year-round.

The Drop 'N' Swap tent is located at the Sylvan Lake Waste Transfer Site.

We do not accept:

• Children's items,
• bedding,
• BBQs,
• large appliances (fridges, freezers, washers, dryers)
• mattresses, or 
• any item broken, or considered unsafe.

Spring/fall clean up just became easier! 

• Drop off tree branches at the Waste Transfer Site free of charge
• Sylvan Lake residents only, no businesses
• Small loads only, cut branches to 1.5 metres and unload by hand.

Sylvan Lake operates an automated garbage collection service to residential households and two family residences. Automated carts are assigned to your civic address; please do not take them with you if you move.

We offer large item pick-up (curbside), twice a year - once in the spring, and once in the fall.

How to

• Maximum of three items per household
• For residential addresses within Sylvan Lake
• Place all items to the front street (not the alley) by 8:00 AM on May 13.
• Leave the items out until collected (up to 5 days).

Register now

• Register a maximum of three (3) items, before May 9, 11:30 AM
• Late registrations are not accepted, however you may return to the form below to make changes if needed before May 9, 11:30 AM
• Register online now! 
• Need help? Call 403 887 2800

Please place your tree in the same location as your normal waste collection, by 8:00 AM on January 6. Remove all decorations from your tree, and place on the street, 1 meter away from your garbage cart. 

Please note it may take up to 10 days for collection.

Find new owners for your unwanted but usable items and reduce disposal to the landfill!

1. Place your usable, safe items at the curb 
2. Place a “free” sign on your items
3. Share (if you want) your items and location on our Facebook Event Page. Click the discussion tab to add your information.
4. Remove any remaining items from the curb at the end of the day.  These items may be taken to the “Drop N Swap” tent located at the Waste Transfer Site at no-charge

Items could include:

• Kitchen items
• Unwanted gifts
• Electronics
• Furniture
• And more

Items should NOT include:

• Children's car seats
• Bedding
• Mattresses
• Box springs
• Unsafe items

Questions? Call Public Works at 403 887 2800.  

Pitch In Week is dedicated to community spring cleaning. Help keep your community brilliant all year!

• Sports teams, church group, family group, individuals are invited to participate;

• Get free garbage bags and bag pick-up during Pitch In week

• Register your family or small group

• Let us know the general area that you plan on collecting

• After registering, contact us to arrange for bag delivery and pickup: 403 887 2800 or email publicworks@sylvanlake.ca

Register Now!

• Register online, or
• Call Public Works
• You must be registered to get free bags and pickup

What can I recycle? 

• Recycle Guide: Check out our handy, printable guide

Sylvan Lake operates an automated recycling collection service to residential households, including multifamily dwellings that are 12 units or less. Automated carts are assigned to your civic address; please do not take them with you if you move.

Wondering when your curbside collection day is?

Check out our collection calendar, and sign up for collection reminders.

Changes to our Recycling Program

We’d like Sylvan Lakers to note an important change to the Town’s list of acceptable recyclable materials.

• The Town of Sylvan Lake no longer accepts glass as part of our recycling program – this includes glass jars and bottles.
• Starting on Friday, June 28th, if you’d like to recycle your glass bottles and jars, residents may bring their glass products to the Waste Transfer Site for no-charge recycling - please observe our Waste Transfer Site summertime hours of operation.
• A second glass drop-off bin is located at the west-end recycle depot, located on 60 Street/Memorial Trail, by the dog park. 
• Where applicable, you may still take your glass bottles to bottle depots.

Need a refresher in terms of what is, and what is not recyclable in Sylvan Lake? Check out our handy Recycling Guide.

Why the change?

The market for glass recycling is no longer available due to changes within the industry. On a positive note, our recycle depot contractor reports “strong stability” for all other recyclable products, as a result of the company’s extensive global reach.

Fun fact, of the 586 tonnes of recyclables collected within Sylvan Lake in 2017, glass only make up about 12 tonnes – or rather, about 2% of the volume. Meanwhile plastics (numbered 1 – 7), account for 311 tonnes (53% of the volume).

Please, Don't Wishcycle

Wishcycling is putting non-recyclable items in the recycling, hoping it gets recycled. 

Why is it a problem? 

• While well-intentioned, wishcycling contaminates the recycling process.
• If the Town’s recycling load becomes too contaminated, it goes to landfill instead. Thankfully, this hasn’t happened yet!
• Please follow the Recycle Guide
• Reduce your use of non-recyclable items. For example, replace plastic bags with reusable shopping bags

Accepted recyclables 

Recycling Guide | Check out our handy, printable guide. 

When placing items in your bin:

• Remove lids and caps from bottles and cans;

• Empty and rinse bits of food and residue from inside of containers;
• You may leave labels on containers;
• Co-mingle material;
• Place recyclables loose in the recycling bin, do not put them in bags;
• Flatten and break down all cardboard and boxboard.

Not accepted items

The following is not accepted in the Town's curbside recycling program:

• Glass: bottles, jars, light bulbs, window glass
• Gift wrap: Many papers contain dyes, plastics, lamination, or non-paper additives like glitter that contaminate the recycling stream
• Mirrors, ceramics, and Pyrex

• Plastic bags or plastic film

• Plastics without 1-7 recycling symbol: toys, dishes, cutlery

• Styrofoam: cups, packaging, egg cartons

• Disposable coffee cups

• Paper plates

• Tissues or paper towels

• Wrapping paper

• Bagged recyclables

• Plasticized, waxed, and laminated material 

• Scrap metals

• Wood waste

• Electronics or batteries

• Household hazardous waste

• Gasoline containers

• Propane tanks

• Helium tanks

• Paint cans
• Herbicide containers

Other recycling options

Special recycling information is available for electronics, paint, used oil, and tires. 

Our Waste Transfer Site also accepts a number of additional recyclable materials.

For businesses, a cardboard drop-off location is available at the Waste Transfer Site.

West End Recycle Facility

• Located at 60 Street just north of Memorial Trail (follow signage)
• Accessible 24/day

Accepted items include:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Tin
• Plastic

Yard and kitchen waste is not accepted.

Safely get rid of household chemicals, cleaning supplies, and other toxic supplies!

• Household volumes only
• Offered once a year

Where do I drop off?

• Municipal Operations Building at 1 Industrial Drive, Sylvan Lake
• Keep all material labels on containers
• Not available for businesses

Accepted items

Toxic Poisonous Waste 

• Mercury
• Lead
• Cadmium 

Flammable Waste

• Gas
• Painting wastes
• Degreasers
• Solvents 

Corrosive Waste

• Acids
• Rust removers
• Alkaline cleaning fluids
• Old battery acid

Reactive Explosive

• Anything that reacts under pressure
• Aerosols

Household Waste

• Bleach
• Drain cleaners
• Rubbing alcohol
• Toilet Cleaners

Not accepted

• Oil, oil filters, and oil containers are not accepted. Find a drop-off location for these items;
• Radioactive material.

Yard and kitchen waste collection is on your regular garbage/recycle day, including statutory holidays.

The term "organic waste" refers to yard and kitchen waste.

Acceptable containers

• Paper biodegradable bags
• Container 100 liter or less
• Container over 100 liter, with a removable biodegradable paper bag inside
• Maximum weight 23 kg (50 lbs)

Placing organics for curbside collection

• Place both yard and kitchen waste in the same container;
• Set organics container or bag out for collection by 8:00 AM, on your regular waste collection day
• Ensure the organics container is 1.7 metres away from your garbage cart;
• Keep your yard waste dry;
• Place a free "yard waste sticker" (available at municipal facilities) on your hard-surfaced organics containers;
• Drop off extra material at the Waste Transfer Station, free of charge, year-round;
• Pull your organic containers back onto your property by 9:00 PM.

Year-round organic waste

Drop off your yard and kitchen waste, year-round, at the Waste Transfer Site

This facility accepts sewage waste from RVs and provides non-potable water.

Details:

• Residential use only
• Location:   62 Thevenaz Industrial Trail
• Closes:      TBA (October 2025)
• Opens:      Thursday, May 1, 2025
• Provides:   non-potable water 

The RV Sanitary Dump will remain open all year however, the non-potable water will be SHUT OFF as of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, until May Long 2025 (approximately) depending on weather.

You can sign up for collection and green program reminders at sylvanlake.ca/collection. If you can't find your address, please follow these steps:

1. Address typo

• You may have made a mistake typing your address in
• Try again, and double check your typing

2. Non-standard collection address

The Town does not collect garbage for certain addresses as certain locations arrange for their own garbage collection. Some examples of these locations include condos and trailer parks. Other locations may not have garbage and recycling collection on the same day due to space constraints. Our reminder system can't accommodate non-standard schedules, but you can still subscribe to get a reminder for recycling. 

Do you live here?

• 5220 50A Avenue Rainbow Park: All units
• 5210 Lakeshore Drive: All units
• Harbour Town Crescent: All units
• 4516 48 Avenue Don's Trailer Park: All units
• 4402 48 Avenue Spruceline Trailer Park: All units
• 4403 46 Avenue 4Plex: All units
• 4313 48 Avenue 4Plex: All units
• 5135 Lakeshore Drive: All units
• 5029 47 Street: All units
• 4415 Lakeshore Drive: All units
• 43, 44, 45 Reid Court
• If yes, subscribe using this address 132 Marina Bay Court. You will receive Tuesday recycling and garbage schedules, but ignore the garbage reminders. You must follow your residence's garbage collection schedule

Do you live here?

• 154 Westview Drive: All units
• 4619 49 Street 4Plex: All units
• If yes, subscribe using this address 4 Woodland Close. You will receive Wednesday recycling and garbage schedules, but ignore the garbage reminders. You must follow your residence's garbage collection schedule

3. Missing address

• Addresses may be missed as new subdivisions are added
• If you've completed step 1, and your address still doesn't show, please contact us here and select: Are you asking about Public Works? > Garbage and recycling