Hazardous Waste

Residents in the County have a number of options to properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) materials. There is no charge to drop off HHW materials; however, maximum quantity limits will apply. If you live on a farm, only the HHW materials generated from the household can be accepted.

In 2021, about 303.4 metric tonnes of HHW materials were received from 13,069 County residents and kept out of landfills and water systems.

Please choose from the following services to see an overview of acceptable hazardous materials:

Mobile Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depot 

Wellington County residents may use the Mobile HHW Depot year round. The Mobile HHW Depot rotates between all six of the County waste facilities and two roads garages. 

Acceptable items include:

  • Paint and related products
  • Indoor household products
  • Household batteries
  • Fluorescent bulbs, tubes and ballasts
  • Mercury thermometers and thermostats
  • Outdoor household chemicals
  • Medication
  • Medical sharps
  • Automotive products and batteries
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Propane cylinders

Follow the link below for more information, including a more detailed list of acceptable items.

Mobile HHW Depot

Follow the link below for the Mobile HHW Depot schedule.

Mobile HHW Depot Schedule

Select Materials Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depots 

Year-round, Wellington County residents (excludes the City of Guelph) can take selected Household Hazardous Waste materials to five of the County's waste facilities.

Acceptable items include ONLY the following:

  • Automotive products
    • oil filters
    • motor oil
    • antifreeze 
    • motor oil and antifreeze plastic containers
    • batteries
  • Household batteries
  • Aerosol cans 
  • Propane cylinders

Follow the link below for more information, including locations.

Select Materials HHW Depots

 Alkaline Battery Recycling Programme 

Through partnership between Solid Waste Services and the County's library branches, County residents can drop their alkaline batteries (up to D size) into Battery Tubes for recycling.

Follow the link below for more information.

Battery Recycling

Other Options

More disposal option locations are available for some household hazardous waste materials. Visit the Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority website, ReGeneration website, and the Health Steward website for additional information.  

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are NOT considered Household Hazardous Waste. These items can go into your regular garbage. However, you must first remove the 9V battery, which can be taken to Select HHW Depots. For more information, please visit the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission website.

Remember to follow the BUD rule:

Buy only what you need

Use it up

Dispose of what remains responsibly

© 2023 County of Wellington, 74 Woolwich St. Guelph, Ontario N1H 3T9, T 519.837.2600, TF 1.800.663.0750, F 519.837.1909