Commercial Food Waste Collection
Food isn’t garbage. A mandatory commercial food waste bylaw will be implemented in spring of 2023 (not enforced until fall 2023). Food waste, which includes all cooked and raw food scraps (bones, egg shells, coffee grounds, etc.) and food-soiled paper products, makes up over half of the waste sent to landfill by commercial and institutional sectors. A voluntary food waste collection program for commercial businesses has been in place since 2020, but only 1/3 of relevant businesses participate. In order to further reduce food waste going to the landfill, the Town will be updating the Recyclables and Waste Bylaw to make it mandatory to collect food waste separately from commercial garbage. Banff, Calgary and many other municipalities have similar bylaw requirements for businesses.
The key updates being proposed in the bylaw update include:
- Every owner of a commercial premise shall provide for the separate removal of food waste from that premise.
- Food waste will be banned from being placed into any garbage container at a commercial premise.
These food waste requirements only apply if a business or organization that serves or manufactures food operates within the premise (e.g. restaurants, coffee shops, healthcare facilities, cafeterias, grocery stores, food manufacturing, breweries, etc.).
We are looking for your feedback on ways to improve transition to mandatory food waste diversion from February 10 - 27. To provide your feedback click here.
Town of Canmore Food Waste Collection Service
We will provide participating businesses with 240 L roll carts (see photo below). We also have a 120 L roll cart option for those businesses with limited space or an animal proof option that can be stored outside. You decide the number of carts you need and how frequently you would like them picked up. If you need an extra pick-up, you can contact us to arrange with 24 hours notice. Your scheduled pick-ups can be changed to account for seasonal variability.
Getting Food Waste Collection Started at your Business
- Contact us to get started at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- We will answer any questions you have and then arrange a site visit to determine where the roll cart(s) will be collected from. Please note that food waste roll carts will need to be stored indoors or in an animal-proof enclosure. If this is not possible, we have an animal-proof cart option that can be stored outdoors.
- Consider how and where you will collect your food waste. Will you keep your roll cart in your kitchen or store it in another area and use smaller bins to collect and transfer your food waste?
- Confirm your initial collection schedule with us and the number of roll carts you require.
- We will deliver the roll carts and educational materials for staff and customers.
- Collection will start on your chosen date. Remember, you can contact us if you need to change your schedule or request an extra pick-up.
Pricing
The collection service costs $11 per cart pick up. The roll carts are included in the price, but you are responsible for any smaller bins you need to use. To view the full fee schedule click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
120 L cart: Depth – 53.5 cm, Width – 48.6 cm, Height – 95.5 cm.
240 L animal proof cart: Depth - 72.9 cm, Width - 71.2 cm, Height - 108.2 cm.
Food Rescue and Food Waste Reduction
There are local opportunities for food rescue and recovery that compliment the Food Waste Collection program, potentially reducing the amount of food waste you are paying to have collected for composting.
Food Recovery Barn
Surplus food that you can’t use or sell can be brought to the Canmore Food Recovery Barn. Their mission is to recover edible food destined for the landfill from supermarkets and restaurants. They sort, display, and redistribute the recovered food, offering pickup for residents every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:15 pm at the Valley Lutheran Church in Canmore for a $5 suggested donation. If you have surplus food that could go to people instead of being composted or landfilled, get in touch through Facebook @CanmoreFoodRecoveryBarn.
