Sorting Your Waste and Recycling
Our What Goes Where app makes sorting your waste a snap. Click on Wizard to search an item, and we’ll give you local options for recycling, composting, or disposal. If you can’t find a given item, check back soon, as the list is continuously updated.
For info on Curbside Collection, including maps and our new sorting guide, visit our Recycling page.
For our Recycling Depot at the Waste Management Facility, click here.
Why Sort Waste?
Waste is created when materials are mixed together. When materials are separated, we create opportunities for reuse, composting, and recycling.
Some waste requires special handling for safe and effective burial in the landfill. This applies to Controlled Waste materials such as asbestos, mattresses, and construction waste.
The benefits to you include significant savings in tipping fees! Unsorted loads will be subject to higher tipping fees.
Curbside Recycling begins December 3, 2024 for eligible households. If you are currently receiving Curbside Collection – i.e., you have a black cart for garbage and a green cart for compost – you will receive two blue bins and yellow bags in the coming weeks.
Our Recycling Depot is located at the Waste Management Facility. Country-residential and multi-family residences, as well as small businesses can use the Recycling Depot.
What do I do with my refundables?
If you want to receive money for your refundables (e.g., bottles, cans, milk jugs, etc.) you will need to take them to a private Beverage Container Depot (e.g., P&M Recycling, Raven ReCentre). Otherwise, they can be taken to the City’s Recycling Depot or put in your blue bin when Curbside Collection starts in December 2024.
I live in a multi-unit condo/apartment building. Will we get Curbside Recycling?
No, Curbside Recycling is only available for residences that are currently receiving our residential Curbside Collection service. Multi-unit dwellings can drop off recycling at the Recycling Depot at the Waste Management Facility, or use a private recycling collection service.
You are required to sort: organics, cardboard, metals, clean wood, appliances, electronic waste and hazardous waste.
Check out the Recycling Depot’s Recycling Sorting Guide and our Waste and Organics Sorting Guides in English, French, German, Tagalog, and Punjabi. Click and print copies for your home and office.
Clear signs increase the success of your waste strategy. Feel free to print and use these signs, or make your own.
All are letter-sized (8.5″ x 11″) PDFs.
Landfill
Recyclable Containers
Compostable
Compostable for washrooms
Paper
Developing a system that works best for you, your family, and your staff is key to waste diversion. Here are some tips and resources to create a successful waste diversion program.
- Classroom Waste Education Package – Guide
- Waste Diversion Word Search
- Waste Diversion Word Search Answer Key
- Recollect Sorting Game Lesson Plan
- Recollect Reducing Landfill Emissions Lesson Plan
- Blue Tarp Waste Audit
- Don’t Sink Your Grease Poster
- Waste Sorting Guide – also available in French, German, Tagalog, and Punjabi.
- Organics Sorting Guide