Explore the types of materials accepted at our waste facilities. From recycling and garbage drop-off to materials that aren’t accepted curbside, you’ll find information that will guide you towards proper disposal for a cleaner environment.
For more information about disposal of hazardous materials, visit our Household Hazardous Waste page.
What Goes Where?
Find what item goes where by using the Recycle Coach waste app.
Recycling Drop-off
There is no charge for recycling blue box materials.
Dedicated bins at waste facilities are labelled for each of the materials accepted (listed below).
Sites collect recyclables in three streams:
- Containers
- Paper Products
- Corrugated Cardboard
Containers
- Aluminum and metal cans
- Aluminum foil, plates and trays
- Milk and juice cartons/boxes
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic plates or cups, coffee lids
- Plastic tubs and other rigid plastic containers
- Plastic planting pots and trays
Paper Products
- Boxboard (cereal, detergent, tissue and frozen food boxes)
- Computer paper, writing paper and envelopes
- Newspapers, flyers and magazines
- Paper egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Books (remove hard covers)
Corrugated Cardboard
- Flattened corrugated boxes (corrugated cardboard has a wavy layer between two smooth layers of linerboard)
- Does not include waxy cardboard
General Instructions
- Do not place any sharp objects with your recyclables (e.g. broken glass, knives, needles, etc.), as this is a serious health and safety risk to sorters
- Do not place materials in plastic bags
Containers
- Rinse containers to remove food or liquids (empty all liquids after rinsing)
- Remove plastic straws and place in garbage
- Leave lids and caps on containers
- Place the top of a tin can inside the can to prevent cuts to the sorters
Paper Products
- Shredded confidential papers can be dumped into the Paper bin - please be sure not to throw in the plastic bag
Corrugated Cardboard
- Remove all contaminants (e.g. plastic liners, Styrofoam and food)
- Place flattened cardboard into the Cardboard bin
- Separate materials into three streams (containers, paper products, and corrugated cardboard)
- Place items loose in the bins (please do not leave items in plastic bags)
- Do not put plastic bags into the bins; they are not recyclable in the programme and they contaminate the load
- Waste facilities have a dedicated container for plastic bags near the Paper bin for your use, or you can take them home to reuse
Printable Acceptable Material List
Garbage Drop-off
Garbage does not have to be in a yellow user pay garbage bag for drop-off at waste facilities; if it is, there is no charge. Yellow User Pay bags can be purchased in advance.
The landfill site accepts large and small loads, and the transfer stations only accept small loads. Please consider reuse options before landfilling items others might find useful.
There are opportunities to divert many materials from landfill. You will find links on this page for programmes offered by the County for materials that don't fit into the other categories.
Other Acceptable Materials
White goods are large appliances such as:
- fridges
- freezers
- dehumidifiers
- air conditioners
- water heaters
- stoves
- washing machines
- clothes dryers
- dishwashers
Freon Removal
Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Regulation 347 requires that items containing ozone-depleting gases have the refrigerant material (Freon) removed by a Ministry certified technician. Do not attempt to remove the refrigerant waste yourself.
We provide Freon removal service for $15 per unit, in addition to the regular waste disposal fee. This charge will only be waived if the appliance has an official tag confirming that the Freon was removed by an MECP certified technician.
We partner with Switch Energy Corp. to coordination collection of agricultural films directly from farmers, including:
- bale wrap
- silage bags
- greenhouse film
Each material type and colour must be kept separate for recycling and placed in collection bags.
Contact Switch Energy Corp. to confirm current acceptable materials, obtain collection bags, and to get more information on how to participate:
80171 Kinburn Line
Clinton, ON N0M 1L0
T. 519.524.0193
E. Email the Switch Energy Corp.
Why Recycle Bale Wrap?
- conserve landfill space
- open burning of bale wrap causes toxins to be released into the air, which can contaminate groundwater and crops, and cause respiratory problems in humans and animals
- hazardous by-products such as metals, dioxins and furans can be present in the residual ash (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
- conserve natural resources
- recycled bale wrap and greenhouse film will be recycled into various new products
Items too large to fit into a user pay garbage bag are not accepted at the curb for waste collection. These items can be brought to any of our waste facilities for disposal.
If in good condition, these items can be brought to any of the County's three Reuse Centres to be reused, rather than sent to the landfill.
We provide annual natural Christmas tree curbside collection, as well as the opportunity to drop off trees at waste facilities. In addition, there are other collection and drop-off opportunities offered by local organizations throughout the County, as well as creative ways to recycle your tree at home.
Please prepare your tree properly for recycling.
Tree Preparation
Remove all decorations, wire, plastic bags, stands and lights. Trees taller than 2.5 m. (8 ft.) will not fit on the truck and must be cut in shorter lengths.
Ways to Recycle
- Drop-Off at Waste Facilities - All County waste facilities will accept Christmas trees at no charge seasonally. Trees are ground into mulch. Food bank donations are gratefully accepted.
- Urban Curbside Collection - Christmas trees will be collected in urban areas only one week in January. Please have trees out by 7:00 am on Monday to ensure they are collected. However, your tree may not be collected until later in the week. Trees are ground into mulch.
- Trees for Tots Collection - The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington collect Christmas trees for their Trees For Tots programme during specific times and in specific areas. Visit their website to register. The suggested minimum donation amount for this charity is $15 per tree.
- Kinsmen Club Collection - The Kinsmen Club collect Christmas trees at the curb in exchange for food bank donations during specific times and in specific areas.
- Other Drop-Off Options and "Recycling" Ideas - Natural Christmas trees can be reused in many ways. They can serve as food or shelter for birds and animals, landscaping materials, or a source for unique crafting. Check out the tips and local farm drop-offs from the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario, or check out these 6 Uses for Your Real Christmas Tree After the Holidays.
There is no charge to drop off your old textiles. Please place items in a plastic bag for easier drop-off in the bin. Items in good condition will be reused and damaged items will be recycled.
Acceptable items include:
- clothing
- fabric, yarn
- shoes, boots
- belts, bags, purses, hats, ties
- bed linen, blankets, pillows
- drapes
- sleeping bags
- stuffed animals
Canadian Diabetes Association Clothesline
We have a partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association Clothesline Programme. Funds raised from the sale of the textiles are used to promote the health of Canadians affected by diabetes through research, education, service and advocacy. A Textile Recycling Drop Box is located at every County waste facility.
For other donation bin locations, visit The National Association for Charitable Textile Recycling donation bin locator - simply enter your address to find a drop-off location near you.
Construction and demolition waste (drywall, shingles, bricks, wood, metals, etc.) are accepted as regular waste at our waste facilities. All sites will accept small quantities, but larger loads must go to Riverstown. General disposal fees apply.
Contact us at least 48 hours in advance to coordinate deliveries of large quantities of construction and demolition waste, or any quantities of asbestos, fibreglass, or contaminated soil:
- Call us at 519.837.2601 or 1.866.899.0248
- Email us at wasteinfo@wellington.ca
Some construction or renovation materials need special preparation and arrangements before bringing to a County waste facility:
Asbestos
- all asbestos must be delivered to Riverstown waste facility since it must be buried immediately upon receipt
- loose asbestos must be double bagged in heavy duty plastic and tied closed
- larger asbestos sheets that can't fit into a bag should be kept whole
- arrangements must be made through the Disposal Compliance Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance
- inform site attendant of load contents
- follow site attendant's instructions once you check in at the scale house
- general disposal fees apply
- in the disposal of asbestos, a manifest is not necessary
- The receipt given to the carrier would be presented as proof that the product was disposed of in a responsible way
Clean Fill
Small quantities
- will be accepted at all waste facilities
- staff have the right to re-direct loads if necessary
- general disposal fees apply
Larger quantities
- will only be accepted at Riverstown waste facility
- arrangements must be made through the Disposal Compliance Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact SWS to arrange.
- inform site attendant of load contents and any arrangements made
- follow site attendant's instructions once you check in at the scale house
- general disposal fees apply
Concrete and Rubble
Small quantities
- will be accepted at all waste facilities
- staff have the right to re-direct loads if necessary
- general disposal fees apply
Larger quantities
- will only be accepted at Riverstown waste facility
- arrangements must be made through the Disposal Compliance Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact SWS to arrange.
- inform site attendant of load contents and any arrangements made
- follow site attendant's instructions once you check in at the scale house
- general disposal fees apply
Contaminated Soil
- will only be accepted at Riverstown waste facility
- arrangements must be made through the Disposal Compliance Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact SWS to arrange.
- inform site attendant of load contents and any arrangements made
- results of laboratory sampling may be required before disposal
- follow site attendant's instructions once you check in at the scale house
- general disposal fees apply
Fibreglass
- will only be accepted at Riverstown waste facility
- material must be double bagged in heavy duty plastic
- arrangements must be made through the Disposal Compliance Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact SWS to arrange.
- inform site attendant of load contents and any arrangements made
- follow site attendant's instructions once you check in at the scale house
- general disposal fees apply
Termite Infested Wood
- will be accepted at all waste facilities
- please inform the site attendant that the material may contain termites, and you will be directed to a waste bin
- not accepted in wood and brush pile
- general disposal fees apply
Signs are accepted at all six County waste facilities at no charge. We will accept signs made of:
- Polypropylene (PP) Coreplast
- Fibre - similar to boxboard
Note: Election signs are only accepted during an active election.
- Signs must be free of contamination
- Remove metal/wood stakes, nails, fasteners, etc.
- Signs will be placed in the marked temporary recycling containers
- Place wood in the wood bin or pile (where available). Place metal in the metal bin.
Note: Signs that are not free of contamination will be treated as garbage and regular fees will apply.
We accept electronic waste from residents at no charge at all waste facilities. Metals, glass and plastics are recovered from electronic waste and recycled.
If electronics are in good working order, consider taking them to a Reuse Centre.
Acceptable items include:
- desktop computers, portable computers, monitors, wiring, and peripherals, including modems
- printers, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners, electric typewriters
- phones, cellphones, pagers, PDAs, answering machines
- stereo systems, TVs, projectors, digital frames, cameras, audio/video recorders and players (MP3, cassette, digital)
- cable and satellite receivers
- headphones, microphones
- video game consoles and peripherals
- ink and toner cartridges
Unacceptable items include:
- games, toys
- CDs, DVDs, video tapes
- power tools
- small household appliances such as microwaves, toasters, blenders
- smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors
- humidifiers
Broken or damaged blue boxes, green bins, and plastic pails can be recycled at any of the six county waste facilities.
Blue boxes can be exchanged for a new one at no cost.
Regular disposal fees will apply for all other heavy rigid plastic containers including garbage cans, totes, composters, and rain barrels.
Our waste facilities accept appliances and scrap metal for recycling (regular disposal fees apply), including:
- bicycles
- swing sets and slides
- wire
- toaster ovens
- aluminum siding
- ladders
- pots and pans
- stairway railings
- tire rims
- desks and filing cabinets
- metal fencing
- furnaces
- BBQs
- lawnmowers
Remove hazardous materials, such as gasoline and oil from items before delivering to the scrap metal bins or designated pile for recycling. This applies particularly to:
- lawn mowers
- weed whackers
- leaf blowers
- snow blowers
- oil tanks, etc.
Note: These are just some examples of acceptable items. Please use the Recycle Coach waste app to look up how to properly dispose of certain items.
We accept tires from residents and farms at no charge at all waste facilities for recycling (maximum 10 tires per customer per day).
There is also a list of Ontario tire collection locations available on the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) website - enter your postal code to find additional tire collection locations near you.
Acceptable Tires (Residential Customers Only)
On-Road Vehicle Tires:
- passenger, small RV and trailer, light truck and temporary spare
- motorcycle and golf cart
- free rolling farm
- medium truck
Off-the-Road Vehicle Tires:
- agricultural drive and logger skidder
- forklift, construction equipment
- small, medium and giant off-the-road
Tires from Businesses
Tires from businesses are not accepted at our waste facilities. Please go to the RPRA website to find a tire hauler and determine if your business needs to register as a collector.
Go Green!
Bringing your used tires to a registered collector keeps them from being burned or landfilled. Tires collected under the RPRA programme will be recycled into new products such as under-the-hood automotive products, flooring, sports fields, playground surfaces, and construction-related equipment and materials.
Please ensure that large metal pieces, such as rebar, plates and angle iron, are removed from all wood materials (to prevent damage to chipping equipment). After chipping, the materials are used for waste facility projects (such as roadway building) and other Wellington County initiatives. The site attendant will assess material to determine if it is suitable for chipping. Unacceptable materials are landfilled.
Regular disposal fees apply.
Wood and brush diversion programmes are available at the following waste facilities:
- Aberfoyle Waste Facility
- Belwood Waste Facility
- Harriston Waste Facility
- Riverstown Waste Facility
Acceptable Items
- natural wood
- branches less than 6 ft in length
- brush
- painted and treated wood
Unacceptable Items
- branches over 6 ft in length
- termite infested wood - This material is accepted at waste facilities, but not in the wood and brush pile. Please inform the site attendant that your material may contain termites, and you will be directed to a waste bin.
- burnt wood
- wood materials with plastic or aluminum siding, metal sheets or strips, steel angle iron, hinges, door/window hardware, large spikes or toxic materials
Creosote Railroad Ties
- will only be accepted at Riverstown waste facility
- arrangements must be made through the Disposal Compliance Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact SWS at: 519.837.2601 or 1.866.899.0248 to arrange.
- follow site attendant's instructions once you check in at the scale house
- general disposal fees apply
Unacceptable Materials
- Propane cylinders and aerosol cans (Residents may drop off pressurized containers at our Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Depots)
- Materials the site attendant deems not suitable