Waste, Organics & Recycling: Beaumont Owner’s Guide

New to Beaumont or moving a tenant into Leduc County and not sure what goes where? You are not alone. Between coloured carts, seasonal organics, and special drop-offs, local rules can feel like a maze when you first arrive. This guide gives you a clear, practical overview so you can sort with confidence, avoid contamination tags, and know exactly where to check schedules or report a missed pickup. Let’s dive in.

How local collection works

Beaumont and Leduc County run separate programs with different rules, schedules, and contractors. That means cart colours, accepted items, and organics timing can vary by address. Your first step is to confirm the details for your home by checking your municipal waste and recycling page or your collection app.

Most homes use three streams: garbage, recycling, and organics. Programs may be single stream for recycling or require extra sorting, and some items such as glass or plastic film may be depot-only. When in doubt, use your municipality’s “what goes where” tool or the waste calendar app they recommend.

What goes in each cart

Garbage basics

Garbage is for items that cannot be recycled or composted through your curbside program. That usually includes sanitary products, heavily soiled items, small broken household items, and packaging that is not accepted in recycling. Do not place hazardous household waste, electronics, tires, or construction debris in your garbage cart. These items need special drop-off or transfer station disposal.

Recycling basics

Recycling commonly accepts clean paper and cardboard, metal food cans, and rinsed plastic containers. Local programs differ on which plastics are accepted and whether glass belongs in curbside or at a depot. Keep recyclables loose in the cart, not bagged, and rinse containers to reduce residue. Items like plastic film, styrofoam, electronics, and batteries are generally excluded from curbside and need alternative drop-off options.

Organics basics

Organics typically include food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, eggshells, and spoiled food, along with yard trimmings like leaves and grass. Many programs accept soiled paper towels and napkins as well. Rules for meat and bones, pet waste, and certified compostable liners vary locally. Avoid placing plastics in organics unless your municipality specifically allows certified compostable bags.

Organics seasons and pickup rhythm

Organics service can shift with the seasons. Some Alberta municipalities run organics year-round, while others reduce frequency or pause during winter when yard waste volumes drop. Yard waste pickups for leaves and branches may also have special dates in spring and fall. Check your municipal calendar for the start and end of seasonal organics and any holiday changes so you do not miss a collection.

Keep organics clean and odour-free

• Line your kitchen pail with newspaper or a certified compostable liner if permitted by your program.
• Empty your pail often and rinse it regularly. Freeze high-odour items like meat scraps until collection day to reduce smells and pests.
• Place yard waste in your organics cart on the scheduled week, following the program’s rules for branch size and bundle limits.
• If you manage a rental, post a simple organics poster over the bin and check it during routine inspections.

Avoid contamination and tags

Collectors and processing facilities look for common issues such as plastic bags in organics, bagged recyclables, or hazardous items placed in any curbside cart. If a bin is visibly contaminated, it may be tagged and left behind. Loads at the facility can be rejected if contamination is high, which can lead to extra fees or enforcement under local bylaws.

Here is how to stay compliant:

• Keep recyclables loose. Do not place them in plastic bags. Flatten cardboard and remove food residue.
• Keep plastics out of organics unless your program approves certified compostable liners. When in doubt, use paper or newspaper.
• Follow local guidance on compostable or bioplastic foodware. Labels can be misleading, and many programs do not accept these items.
• If a pizza box is greasy, check whether it belongs in organics or garbage. Clean cardboard goes in recycling.

Check schedules and get reminders

Your municipal website is the best source for pickup days, holiday changes, and accepted materials. Look for:

• Town of Beaumont Waste & Recycling page for curbside rules, organics details, and your address-specific calendar.
• Leduc County Waste & Recycling and transfer station pages for rural collection policies, depot hours, and disposal fees.
• A municipal “what goes where” tool or a waste calendar app with reminders and real-time updates.
• Provincial guidance from Alberta Recycling and the Recycle Council of Alberta for electronics, paint, and other stewardship programs.

Report a missed pickup

Missed collections happen. Use this checklist to resolve it quickly:

1. Confirm your pickup day and that your cart was out on time, properly placed, and not blocked by vehicles or snow.
2. Check if your cart was tagged for contamination or overfill.
3. Contact the collection contractor or use your municipality’s online service request form.
4. Provide helpful details:
   • Your address and nearest cross-street
   • Date of the missed pickup
   • Cart type and colour, and the cart’s serial number if visible
   • A quick photo of the cart placement at the curb
   • Any tag or notice left on the cart
5. If you do not receive a response within the stated timeframe, escalate through your municipal public works or the “report a concern” portal.

Many municipalities target a 24 to 72 hour response window for follow-up, but timelines vary, especially around holidays and severe weather.

Special items and drop-offs

Some things do not belong at the curb. Here is how to handle them safely:

• Bulky items. Municipalities may offer seasonal large-item pickup or require a call-in service. Otherwise, take items to a transfer station. Fees and accepted materials vary, so confirm before you go.
• Electronics, batteries, paint, pesticides, and solvents. These fall under provincial stewardship programs and are usually accepted at household hazardous waste events or designated depots. Check local hours and item lists.
• Construction and renovation debris. Most programs exclude drywall, shingles, and similar materials from curbside. Use the appropriate transfer station or landfill.

Landlords and multi-unit tips

If you own or manage a rental, a few small steps can prevent contamination and extra costs:

• Service setup and billing. Confirm whether curbside service is included in municipal property taxes or billed separately. Clarify who is responsible for ordering replacement or extra carts.
• Onboarding tenants. Provide a short handout with sorting rules, set-out times, and the link to the municipal calendar or app. Post “what goes where” signage above each cart.
• Cart management. Use clear labels on shared carts and consider locking or tamper-resistant lids if contamination is a recurring problem.
• Routine check-ins. Add a quick cart check to your seasonal inspections to catch issues early.

Quick checklists

Weekly set-out checklist

• Check the municipal calendar for the correct stream this week and any holiday shifts.
• Rinse containers and keep recyclables loose. Flatten cardboard.
• Keep plastics out of organics unless certified and approved. When unsure, use paper liners or newspaper.
• Place carts at the curb with the lid closed, clear of vehicles, snowbanks, and obstacles.

Landlord onboarding checklist

• Confirm service, cart ownership, and billing responsibilities.
• Provide tenants with a one-page “what goes where” guide and the municipal calendar link or app name.
• Label each cart and post signage in the collection area.
• Set expectations for set-out times and cleanliness. Add reminders to your move-in and seasonal emails.

Moving support you can use

A smooth move includes a clean start with waste and recycling. If you need a quick orientation to Beaumont or Leduc County services, or a referral to local junk removal, cleaners, or organizers, reach out. Our team helps you handle the details so you can settle in with less stress.

Ready to make your next move in Greater Edmonton feel seamless? Start your moving experience — get a free home valuation with The Anderson Co.

FAQs

How do I find my pickup day in Beaumont?

• Check the Town of Beaumont Waste & Recycling page or the municipality’s recommended waste calendar app for your address-specific schedule and holiday updates.

Does Beaumont or Leduc County collect organics in winter?

• Organics service and frequency can change seasonally. Verify your address’s winter schedule on your municipal calendar to confirm timing and any pauses.

Can I put glass in curbside recycling?

• Glass acceptance varies by program. Some municipalities require depot drop-off. Check your local “what goes where” list for the correct destination.

Are compostable bags allowed in the organics cart?

• Only use certified compostable liners if your municipality specifically permits them. If the rules are unclear, use paper or newspaper and avoid plastic.

What should I do with electronics, paint, or batteries?

• These items are not accepted curbside. Use household hazardous waste depots or stewardship program drop-offs listed by your municipality or provincial recycling organizations.

What happens if my cart is tagged for contamination?

• The collector may leave it unemptied with a notice explaining the issue. Remove the problem items, follow the sorting guidance, and set it out on your next collection day or contact the service provider for instructions.