It’s Clear in Queens!
Since January 1, 2026, garbage collection across Nova Scotia has been switched to clear bags. Residents of Queens County have been doing great during the transition period. What we are seeing on collection days makes it clear that residents of Queens have adapted well to the change!
REMINDER: Starting on July 1st, clear bags are required for garbage. In Queens County, residential properties are allowed a maximum of 6 total bags per waste collection day. This total may include one black privacy bag, if you choose to do so. After July 1st, extra bags and mis-sorted bags will be left behind with a sticker to advise that only one black bag is allowed as part of the 6 garbage bags, and that waste must be properly sorted. It is resident’s responsibility to bring uncollected materials in from the curb for proper sorting and preparation for their next collection day.
WHAT IS ACCEPTED IN CLEAR BAGS?
Following is the list of what can go in a clear garbage bag:
• all wipes (baby, cleaning & hygienic)
• books
• CD’s & DVD’s
• clothing
• coffee pods
• cookware, pots & pans
• diapers
• dryer sheets & lint
• footwear
• glass – broken bottles, drinking glasses, vases, heat treated & window glass (wrapped for safety)
• pet waste/pet litter
• toys
• vacuum cleaner bags
WHAT CAN GO IN A BLACK PRIVACY BAG?
Only the following items can go in a black privacy bag:
• personal hygiene products
• medical waste
To learn more about waste collection, click this link for the 2026 Waste Collection Schedule.
Contact for Missed Collection
Has your regular waste collection been delayed or missed? Depending on challenges encountered along the route, sometimes waste collection can take place later in the day than usual.
If you believe your garbage has been missed or if you are experiencing waste collection problems, please contact the Region’s collector, GE Environmental, toll free at 1-866-303-1103 until 4:30 p.m. For calls after hours between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., please call 1-902-523-5764.
Helpful links:
In the early stages of the transition to clear bags for garbage and the provincial enhanced recycling program overseen by Circular Materials, residents had questions about why the change was happening, what would go where, and how the collection would roll out. To read the Frequently Asked Questions, please click this link.
If you have questions about clear bag and privacy garbage sorting, please contact our Environmental Services staff in the Department of Infrastructure at 902-354-7170, or email: solidwaste@regionofqueens.com.
To learn more about waste collection, click this link for the 2026 Waste Collection Schedule. In Queens County, waste collection is every second week as indicated on your waste collection schedule. Green carts and garbage bags are picked up on the same day. Place materials at the curb by 8:00am on collection day. Collection occurs on all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Collections that would normally fall on those days would then occur on the next collection day.
If you still wonder sometimes about what goes where, download the R6Recycles app wherever you get your apps. It provides helpful information about whether something is garbage, recyclable, hazardous waste, and “where it goes”. Or visit our website and use the Wizard! Type in the item you have sorting questions about, and it will tell you how to dispose of it. Click here for the Wizard (scroll down the page the link takes you to to use the Wizard). There is also a handy Calendar feature that you can click on, enter your address and get information about your collection day, special collections, and notices if collection has been delayed or cancelled.
On December 9, 2025, the Council of Region of Queens Municipality approved the revised Bylaw 13: Solid Waste Management, which outlines the rules for solid waste in Queens County. Click here to read Bylaw 13.
