Special Events

Bulky Item Collection

This is a special collection of general household items that are too bulky for normal collection in a clear bag. You are permitted a maximum of two bulky items. They are to be placed within 10 feet of the road by 7:00am on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day. The maximum weight of individual items cannot exceed 50lbs or one cubic meter in size, except for furniture and appliances.

Only residential properties that are three units or less are eligible. In the Municipality of Colchester apartment buildings (four to six units) and non-profit organizations that have applied for residential curbside collection are eligible as well.

Call the Helpline at 902-895-4777 for further information or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NOTE: To find a depot close to you visit Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA): (Subway Bottle Exchange, Bible Hill; TNT Recycling, Shubenacadie, and Tatamagouche Recycling, Tatamagouche).

2020 Two Bulky Items Collection Start Dates

Household Hazardous Waste

There are many products in our homes that contain harmful chemicals. It is important to dispose of these types of products properly for the protection of the environment and our health. The drop off depot is a free service to residents of the Municipality of Colchester and the Towns of Truro and Stewiacke.

Depot Location

Clean Harbors, 640 MacElmon Road, Debert
Exit 13, Highway 104 - Look for the Signs!

Hours of Operation: 9am to 1pm

2020 Dates of Operation

• February 1st
• March 7th
• April 4th - Cancelled
• May 2nd - Cancelled
• June 6th
• July 4th
• August 8th
• September 12th
• October 3rd
• November 7th

Compost Giveaway

Each household is entitled to shovel 100kgs of compost into three bags. Bags are provided but remember to bring your own shovel and wear appropriate footwear and gloves.

Fall Compost Giveaway

The Colchester Fall Compost Giveaway Program held in Kemptown at the Colchester Solid Waste Facilities is scheduled for October 19th, 2020 to October 24th, 2020. Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm and Saturdays 8:30 am to 11:30 pm. The Colchester Balefill Facility is located at 188 Mingo Road in Kemptown.

Looking for Compost? We Sell it All Year Long!

Compost is available for sale from our facility throughout the entire year! The cost is $2.00 per bag or $35.00 per metric tonne. We provide the bags, but please bring your own shovel, gloves and wear appropriate footwear.

There are licensed haulers who have access to our facility, and they will deliver your compost to you!

Hauler's Available for Compost Delivery

Paper Shredding

Recycle your confidential documents securely and responsibly! This free service is open to residents & small businesses in Colchester, Truro, and Stewiacke. Ten file boxes or five large bags of paper per resident or small business. No plastic sleeves and binders.

Upcoming Paper Shredding Events

For more information about this event call the Colchester Solid Waste helpline at 902-895-4777

Safe Sharps Bring Back Program

In March 2001, the Safe Sharps Bring Back Program was launched across Nova Scotia. Under this program, residents who generate sharps (needles, lancets) in their home can pick up a plastic 3 litre or 5 litre sharps container at their local pharmacy.

When the container is full, it can be returned to the pharmacy for disposal. This is a free service.

Why do we need a Safe Sharps program? Before this program, the public was encouraged to place their sharps in rigid plastic containers (e.g. javex bottles or juice jugs). Once plastic containers became recyclable, there were many reports of sharps ending up in the recycling stream. Since all the recyclables are hand-sorted, the potential for a sharp puncture became a serious threat to workers.

Christmas Tree Collection

All trees must be visible (unburied) & free of lights, tinsel, ornaments, stands and must be debagged to ensure collection. Ensure your tree is placed curbside before 7:00am on your collection day.

Residents in the Town of Truro ensure your tree is placed curbside before 7:00am on Monday of your collection week.

All trees must be visible (unburied) & free of lights, tinsel, ornaments, stands and must be debagged to ensure collection.

For more information on Christmas tree collection in your area call the Colchester Solid Waste helpline at 902-895-4777.

Apply for the Greening Event

Derelict Vehicle Program

The Municipality coordinates an annual derelict vehicle removal program in partnership with Divert NS. Residents must submit an application to the Municipality to have their vehicles assessed for removal. This is a free service.

Applications are accepted until September and removal takes place in the Fall.

If you have any questions, please call the Colchester Waste Reduction Helpline at 902-895-4777.

To apply: Call 902-897-0450 (ext. 111) for your application. Mail applications to:

Municipality of Colchester
1 Church Street
Truro, NS
B2N 3Z5

You can also drop it off at the County Clerk's Office, located at 1 Church Street or fax it to 902-897-0453. The Waste Management Officer will contact you to make arrangements to assess your vehicle.

Green Your Event

Greening your event is aimed to minimize waste and promote sustainability.