The garbage police are coming to Toronto...

Toronto residents will have to generate less and less garbage.

Toronto householders will be limited to putting out five bags of garbage per collection period at the curb next year and four bags in 2007, city councillors have decided.

And they've rejected a proposal by city staff to allow residents to put out extra bags if they attach a $1 tag to each bag.

Currently, residents can put out up to six bags of garbage at each collection, in addition to waste in their green bins and other recyclables. Under the scheme, approved 32-10 yesterday, they're limited to five bags beginning April 1 and four bags the year after.

Garbage crews will slap a sticker on any excess bags and leave them at the curb. Residents can put them out the next pickup day or can take them to waste transfer sites — where they're now charged $1 a bag.

This will mean more 'illegal' garbage in allies and other locations.