Welcome to the Town of Yarmouth
On the Edge of Everywhere
Garbage, Recycling & Composting
Find Yarmouth’s waste, recycling and composting rules, pickup schedules and resources below.
At-a-glance
- Waste and recycling is collected curbside on scheduled days.
- Clear garbage bags only (solid-coloured bags rejected). One non-transparent privacy bag (max 20" x 22") allowed inside a clear bag for sanitary items.
- Recycling: 2 blue-bag system — one for paper, one for containers (glass, plastic, metal).
- Organics: Food and organics in green bin. To order, repair, or replace a green cart, contact Waste Check (902) 742-1312 or visit them at wastecheck.ca
- Special waste: Pharmaceuticals, household hazardous waste and electronics have separate programs — for more information you can contact Waste Check (902) 742-1312 or visit them at wastecheck.ca
- Business & multi-unit rules: Buildings with 5+ units are commercial and must provide appropriate bins and follow the Solid Waste Storage, Collection and Disposal By-Law.(221 KB)
Important changes and management
- As of Apr 1, 2024: only clear bags accepted at curb and transfer stations.
- As of Dec 1, 2025, recycling program managed by Circular Materials — more items are accepted. Click here to visit Circular Materials’ website for details and accepted materials list.
Waste Separation
Learn how to sort garbage, recycling, organics and waste wood, and where to drop off pharmaceuticals (e.g., needles) and electronics. Visit the Waste Check sorting guide page.
Collection Schedule
See when solid household waste will be picked up in your area. For more information go to Collection Schedule.
Composting
Learn about the benefits of saving organic waste, and why we compost. Visit the Waste Check composting page.
Household Hazardous Waste
Find out what to do with bleach, propane tanks, motor oil, and other hazardous materials that don't belong in the regular trash. Visit the Waste Check Household Hazardous Waste page.
Solid Waste Park
The Yarmouth County Solid Waste Park (1932 Hardscratch Rd) is jointly owned by the Municipality of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Argyle and the Town of Yarmouth. The Town operates the on-site Compost Facility serving Yarmouth and Digby counties. Visit the Waste Park Facebook page.
Waste Park Services and rules
- All residents and businesses must sort waste into three streams: garbage, recycling and organics.
- Residual garbage goes to the Transfer Station; recycling is sent to Scotia Recycling Ltd., Kentville.
- Residential hazardous materials (cleaners, pesticides, solvents, etc.) must be dropped off at the Waste Park for proper disposal.
- The C&D (construction & demolition) area separates wood, metals and asphalt shingles on site; remaining C&D materials are landfilled.
- Metals and white goods are baled and sold (currently to Limar Enterprises, NB).
- Waste wood is processed (chipped) on an annual cycle.
Fees and access
- Tipping and service fees apply. See Town Fees for current Waste Park rates, hours and accepted materials.
- Confirm acceptable materials, fees and hours before visiting.
Recycle Coach App
Looking for an easier way to manage your household waste? Download the free Waste Check Recycle Coach smartphone app from your favourite App Store. Get answers to all your waste/recycling questions instantly, including:
- A detailed pick-up schedule customized to your area with optional reminders to ensure you never lose track again
- Easy “What Goes Where?” search gives proper recycling/disposal information (no more guessing!)
- Keep important local contacts at your fingertips
- Find information on your local waste-handling facilities
- Get details on special dates and events in advance
Snow & Ice Management
Yarmouth’s Public Works Department is responsible for making our streets and sidewalks safe and accessible for pedestrians and properly equipped vehicles. We provide snow and ice control for a number of areas within the town, including:
- roughly 68 kilometres of streets
- 50 kilometres of sidewalks
- a number of parking lots
- yard areas for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Town Hall, the RCMP building, Fire Hall, and Public Works Facility
While we work to keep the streets and sidewalks reasonably clear of snow, Yarmouth’s residents and business owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from other areas – including non-plowed sidewalks, pathways, and dangerous icicles. Learn more at Snow Removal.
For information on snowplows and parking, check Snow Plowing.
Roads & Sidewalks
The Road and Sidewalk Division of Operational Services takes care of the maintenance and improvement of Yarmouth's streets, sidewalks, and curbs. We're responsible for covering:
- Street cleaning and maintenance
- Sidewalk cleaning and maintenance
- Roadside cleaning and maintenance
- Sewer cleaning and maintenance
- Storm drainage maintenance
- Snow and ice removal
- Street & traffic sign maintenance
Street and Sidewalk Maintenance
Our street maintenance routine includes a scheduled route by the street cleaner, repaving of roads, patching cracks, ruts and potholes, and patching cuts from utility work. Supervisory staff of the Operational Services Department identifies areas to be repaired, and all patching/paving work is contracted out by tender. (For the latest on this process, check out our Tenders & Proposals updates.)
Our annual sidewalk inspection program is carried out by supervisory staff, which identifies areas of the sidewalk that need to be repaired or replaced. We look for areas such as hazardous sections of the sidewalk, broken curbs, places where asphalt sidewalks need to be replaced, and replaces sidewalks and curbs that were cut for utility work. All repair and replacement work on sidewalks and curbs are contracted out by tender. Three days a week, the Madvac cleans debris and garbage from the sidewalks.
Roadside maintenance keeps the gravel shoulder maintained. Roadside areas are mowed and cleaned by the town staff, and roadside ditching is also performed as needed. This maintenance is done to remove debris, gravel, etc. to ensure the proper flow of stormwater.
Water and Sewer Maintenance
Operational Services also maintains the sewage collection system, which includes our sewer drainage network. A yearly flushing, cleaning, and video inspection program is performed on the sewer line as part of regular maintenance. This yearly program is contracted out by tender.
The semi-annual flushing program in April and October, along with maintenance and repair, keeps our water main operating smoothly. Operational Services is responsible for the water mains that begin in Lake George and end in town. The in-town distribution system receives clean water from these water mains and also requires maintenance and repair. This distribution system provides clean, safe drinking water to every home and business in the Town of Yarmouth, plus some homes and businesses in Yarmouth County. To ensure the hydrants are readily available and in working order for the Fire Department, we also perform spring and fall inspections and maintenance.
Storm drainage maintenance is done by inspecting and cleaning the catchbasins and replacing them as needed. The storm drainage system is cleaned, inspected, and maintained on a regular basis.
Your Responsibilities
While Operational Services removes snow from sidewalks and streets and helps to control the build-up of ice, fighting the onslaught of winter is a shared responsibility. Learn more about your responsibilities on Snow Removal, or see the pdf Streets and Sidewalks By-law(247 KB) .
See a Problem?
Please giPlease give us a call or report a problem. We appreciate your help.
Public Works emergencies - 1-833-460-8709
Office: 902-742-9423
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m
Fire Department
Office: 902-742-3147
Weekends
After 4:30 pm Monday - Friday
Permits
For construction or special use of a street, you will need to submit a permit application, which can be found on Permits, Applications, and Licences. To submit the application, either fax it or drop it off at the Public Works Department:
Public Works Building
227 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2K2
Tel: (902) 742-9423
Fax: (902) 742-8624
The appropriate people will review the application and contact the applicant. For any other inquiries, please contact the Operational Services Department.
