The Town of Ladysmith is a leader in sustainability 

Did you know:

  • In 1995 Ladysmith was first community in the Cowichan Valley Regional District to introduce curb-side recycling pick-up
  • In 2006 Ladysmith was one of the first communities in Western Canada to provide curb-side organics pick-up
  • Ladysmith's organics pick-up program was recognized in 2006 with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Excellence Award in the Best Practices Category
  • In 2007, the Town's organics pick-up program won the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Award in the Solid Waste Category

Before the recycling and curb-side organics programs, 100% of Ladysmith's household waste went into a landfill. By 2009, the recycling program was diverting 33% and the organics program a further 27%, meaning that nearly two-thirds of Ladysmith's garbage was being recycled and kept out of landfills.

Residents, take a moment to applaud your efforts in recycling or composting 60% of our Town’s garbage!

We can do even better: household waste is made up of 90% recyclable or compostable material. That means 30% of what we still put in our garbage cans could also be diverted from the land fill and turned into something useful. Our garbage currently goes to Washington State, and shipping is costly. The less garbage we send, the less our garbage program costs the taxpayers.

Our target is ZERO WASTE. Together, we can learn to see waste as a resource, as a useful commodity for reuse by others. Even better, together we can learn to reduce the amount of resources we consume.

Recycling Quick Facts

Organic Waste Quick Facts

Garbage Quick Facts

One 77 L (up to 44 lbs) container per household every 2 weeks.  All garbage containers must have easy grip handles. Garbage is picked up every second week. If you have more garbage, tags can be purchased for $3 each, or $15 for book of 6 at City Hall, 410 Esplanade or Frank Jameson Community Centre, 810 6th Avenue. Acceptable garbage items are listed on the collection schedule for your route:

The Town has five collection routes. To determine which route your road is on see "Collection Route by Street" or "Collection Routes Map". They are found on the Pick-up Routes and Schedules  page.

All other recyclable materials may be taken to various locations listed in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Recycling Directory. For recycling information please call the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 1.800.665.3955.