Materials for Drop-off

PLEASE NOTE: There is a minimum fee for materials being dropped off to waste facilities, blue box recyclables included.  For residents who do not receive curbside collection, please contact SWS to learn how to recycle your blue box materials at no charge.

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.

NEW* The County Expands Recycling Efforts

Beginning May 1, Wellington County Waste Facilities will be diverting drywall and shingles to specialized recycling facilities, while various mattress deconstruction and diversion techniques are being piloted.

A pile of mattresses both whole and deconstructed piled beside a large waste bin outside at a recycling facility.

What residents need to know:

  • Diverted Materials: Mattresses, drywall, and shingles
  • Where: Wellington County Waste Facilities (excluding Rothsay, as it is not equipped with a weigh scale and Elora during construction closure)
  • When: Diversion of materials begins May 1
  • Instructions: Residents are encouraged to separate materials when possible and to follow the directions of site staff to ensure proper drop-off
  • Disposal Fees: Regular disposal fees apply

How are materials being diverted?

  • Asphalt shingles: repurposed into new paving materials.
  • Drywall: reused in agricultural soil amendment products or as raw input in new manufacturing streams. 
  • Mattresses: will be broken down into recyclable components such as metal, wood, and foam. 

By diverting more materials away from landfill, we’re making better use of our facilities, extending the life of our landfill, preserving valuable space for items that truly have no other disposal option, and ultimately saving money.

What Goes Where?

Find what item goes where by using the Recycle Coach waste app.

Blue Box Drop off bins

Recycling Drop-off

PLEASE NOTE: There is now a minimum user fee to drop off materials at County waste facilities. 

Residents and businesses who do not receive curbside recycling collection may qualify for a minimum user fee exemption card.  Registration for exemption cards is required. If approved, holders of the exemption card will not be charged for their blue box recyclables. Please note the minimum user fee will continue to apply to all other materials.  Please visit our Blue Box Transition webpage to learn more about support for businesses. 

Dedicated bins at waste facilities are labelled for each of the materials accepted (listed below).

Sites collect recyclables in two streams:

  1. Containers
  2. Paper Products (including corrugated cardboard)

Printable Acceptable Material List

Garbage Drop-off

A man at a garbage drop off center.

PLEASE NOTE: Using yellow County garbage does not exempt residents from paying disposal fees. The intended use for these garbage bags is to participate in the curbside collection programme.  

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

Unacceptable Materials

Related links