Hazardous Waste and Special Items Disposal
Some items such as hazardous waste, electronics, scrap metals, cooking oil, tires and reusable items, need to be dropped off at specific locations as they require special handling. York Region residents can bring hazardous waste and special items generated in York Region to one of York Region's waste depots as they are not picked up through regular curbside collection.
To find out how to properly dispose of an item, please use Bindicator.
For a complete list of what is considered HHW click on the drop-down list under Household Hazardous Waste below.
Accepted Items and Drop-off Locations
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste includes materials that are corrosive, explosive, flammable or poisonous. It is damaging to people and the environment if it gets washed down the drain or thrown in the garbage, as it can contaminate drinking water, soil and the air. Whenever possible, try to use non-hazardous alternatives. If you do use a hazardous material, try to use it all or give the leftovers to someone who will use it.
What is Accepted
NOTE: Residential hazardous waste materials must be in well-labelled, sealed containers. Needles and syringes shall be placed in puncture-proof containers. Do not mix substances.
- Aerosol cans (Full or partially full)
- Anti-freeze
- Batteries (dry cell and rechargeable)
- Bleach
- Brake fluid
- Cosmetics
- Detergents
- Disinfectants
- Fertilizers
- Gasoline (containers must be left at depot and will not be returned)
- Fluorescent tubes and energy efficient bulbs
- Glues and adhesives
- Hair dye
- Hair spray
- Household cleaners (includes oven, drain, floor, glass and toilet cleaners)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Medications and Prescriptions
- Mildew remover
- Mothballs
- Motor oil
- Motor vehicle batteries
- Nail polish and remover
- Needles and syringes (must be in puncture-proof containers)
- Oil filters
- Paints (liquid and solid)
- Paint thinner and varnish remover
- Perfume and cologne
- Pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
- Pool chemicals
- Propane cylinders
- Rat poison
- Scouring powder
- Solvents
- Sunscreen
- Thermostats with mercury
- Turpentine
- Waxes
- Windshield washer fluid
What is Not Accepted
- Explosives and ammunition - please contact your local York Regional Police branch
- Hazardous waste generated by industrial, commercial and institutional sources
- PCBs, asbestos, medical and radioactive waste - please contact York Region at 1-866-665-6752 for further disposal information
Drop-Off Locations
York Region residents can drop-off accepted household hazardous waste items at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
Quantity Limits
York Region residents may drop off the following quantities of household hazardous waste:
-
- 60 litres of household hazardous waste per vehicle per day
- 20 compact fluorescent tubes per day
Batteries
All batteries, dead or unwanted are hazardous waste and should not go in the garbage or recycling. Batteries contain combustible, flammable materials. When crushed or overheated in garbage and recycling trucks or at waste depots, batteries can catch fire and put, people at risk. Several fires have occurred at York Region waste depots due to batteries being thrown in the garbage or recycling. Drop batteries off at York Region waste depots, and other battery collection sites, like participating community centres and retailers.
Safety Tips
- Do not put batteries in the garbage or recycling
- Drop batteries off at a York Region waste depot or other battery collection site
- Cover terminal ends with duct, electrical or packing tape before bringing them to a battery collection site. This prevents them from touching other terminals or metal objects that can cause a short circuit and fire
- Do not store batteries in direct sunlight or keep them in hot vehicles; store at room temperature in a plastic bag or container, away from anything that can catch fire
- Do not put lithium-ion batteries together as these batteries have the highest potential for igniting (e.g. laptop batteries, cell phone batteries); either store separately or ensure terminals ends are covered
- Always remove embedded batteries from items before bringing them to a waste despot — this includes toys, laptops, smartphones, scooters, e-cigarettes and smoke alarms
Remember: Batteries are not garbage and should be handled carefully for safety reasons.
Drop-Off Locations
York Region residents can drop batteries off at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
For other battery collection sites near you visit call2recycle.ca
Electronics
Electronics can contain hazardous substances and valuable resources that need to be recycled, reused or disposed of properly. Do not dismantle your electronics.
What is Accepted
- Cameras
- Cell phones, telephones, pagers, fax machines
- Computer towers, keyboards and mouse, laptops, modems
- DVD players, radios, stereos, speakers, VCRs
- Monitors, printers, scanners and typewriters
- Televisions (limit of two per visit)
What is Not Accepted
- Air conditioners (take to the appropriate Waste Depots or contact your local municipality)
- Lawn mowers and gas powered tools
- Thermostats with mercury (take to a Household Hazardous Waste Depot)
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Water coolers
Drop-Off Locations
York Region residents can drop-off accepted electronic waste items at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
Guidelines and Limits
- Clear all personal information from all devices prior to drop-off
- Disassembled electronics will not be accepted
- Maximum 50 kg per household per day
- Remove all packaging and batteries
Liability
The Regional Municipality of York Assumes No Liability. In addition to the Region's limitation of liability provisions on this website, please note that the Region is not responsible for any loss related to the access and misuse of personal information on recycled materials for unintended purposes including identity theft, or any other personal injury or pecuniary loss. It is the resident's obligation to protect their personal information and it is highly recommended that all data from computers and laptops, SIM cards and other storage devices in cell phones, digital cameras or digital printers be removed and wiped clean prior to dropping them off for recycling reuse or refurbishment.
Scrap Metal
For scrap metal items not collected at the curb York Region residents can recycle them at one of our Waste Depots.
What is Accepted
- Barbeques
- Bicycles; York Region is partnering with Markham Cycles and Newmarket Cycles to collect used bikes, teach people how to fix them and get them back on the road where they belong; donate bikes to this program at Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre or McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre.
- Dishwashers
- Dryers
- Electric typewriters
- Empty metal gas tanks for boats
- Furnaces (filters removed)
- Hot water tanks
- Humidifiers
- Lawnmowers (all fluids must be removed)
- Metal bathtubs
- Metal power tools
- Metal swing sets
- Metal shower enclosures
- Microwave ovens
- Pool heaters
- Refrigerated appliances, such as air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators (A fee of $20 for removal of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) may apply)
- Stoves
- Toaster ovens
- Toasters
- Washing machines
What is Not Accepted
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Lawnmowers and gas powered tools containing fluids
- Light ballasts
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Drop-Off Locations
You can drop off scrap metal items at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
Cooking Oil
Costly sewage pipe repairs take place each year in York Region due to fat, oil, and grease washed down the drain; this has a significant impact on our municipal infrastructure and can pose serious health and environmental hazards. Liquid cooking oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, sunflower oil and olive oil can be recycled into biodiesel. York Region residents can drop off cooking oil at one of York Region's waste depots in a tightly sealed container.
What is Accepted
- Canola oil
- Coconut oil
- Corn oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Olive oil
- Palm oil
- Peanut oil
- Soybean oil
- Safflower oil
- Sesame oil
- Sunflower oil
- Vegetable oil
What is Not Accepted
- Animal fat
- Butter
- Gravies
- Lard
- Margarine
- Salad dressings
- Sauces
- Shortening
NOTE: Animal fat (solid) and other food products can be placed in the Green Bin.
Quantity Limits
York Region residents may drop off:
- Used cooking oil (maximum 4L per day)
Drop-Off Locations
You can drop off accepted used cooking oil at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
Download a copy of what can you do to prevent fats, oil and grease from going down the drain.
Watch the Singing Sewermen from Thames Water sing about the 12 Blockages
Tires
York Region residents can drop off tires free of charge at three locations in York Region.
What is Accepted
- Passenger and light truck tires on or off the rim.
- Tractor tires
What is Not Accepted
- Tires from industrial, commercial, and institutional sources
Quantity Limits
A limit of 10 residential tires can be dropped off per day, on or off the rim.
Drop-Off Locations
York Region residents can drop off tires at one of the following Waste Depots:
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
Businesses are encouraged to register as collectors with Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA). Registered businesses can arrange for pick-up of used tires for recycling. For more information, please visit the RPRA website or call 1-833-600-0530.
Reusable Goods
Rather than throwing something in the garbage, consider donating items in good, gently used condition to charity groups so they can be reused by people who need them.
For residents looking to donate furniture:
- Contact charities such as Furniture Bank
- Post an ad on reuse websites such as Freecycle.org
If your furniture is not reuseable:
- Contact your city or town to arrange for curbside collection
- Drop it off at McCleary Court or Elgin Mills CECs or Georgina Transfer Station as garbage (fees apply)
Other Reuse Programs
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses can be donated for reuse. Contact your local ophthalmologist, optician or optometrist to see if they collect used eyeglasses.
Eyeglasses are also collected through a partnership between Goodwill of Greater Toronto and the Maple Lions Club. Eyeglasses are sorted by Lions Club volunteers and distributed to people in need in developing countries through the Lions Recycle for Sight program. Visit the Lion Clubs International website to learn more.
Used Computers
Older computers in working condition can be refurbished and either supplied to those in need or resold with the proceeds going to support your community. Please remove all personal data on electronics prior to dropping them off for recycling reuse or refurbishment.
Salvation Army Thrift Stores accept computers. Find a store on the Salvation Army website.
Liability
The Regional Municipality of York Assumes No Liability. In addition to the Region's limitation of liability provisions on this website, please note that the Region is not responsible for any loss related to the access and misuse of personal information on donated electronic materials for unintended purposes including identity theft, or any other personal injury or pecuniary loss. It is the donor's obligation to protect their personal information and it is highly recommended that all data from computers and laptops, SIM cards and other storage devices in cell phones, digital cameras or digital printers be removed and wiped clean prior to dropping same off for refurbishment or reuse.
Foam Packaging
Why is foam packaging not accepted in York Region’s Blue Box program?
Foam packaging used for take-out foods for example, is difficult for curbside collection. It is a low-density, high volume material that quickly fills up collection vehicles resulting in higher shipping costs. Additionally, processing foam packaging at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) with other Blue Box recyclables can be challenging as it tends to get broken or can develop a static charge. This makes sorting difficult and can result in cross-contamination of other recyclables.
There are limited available end markets for recycling foam packaging at this time. York Region staff continues to monitor market conditions.
Are there any depots in York Region that accept foam packaging for recycling?
York Region waste depots do not accept foam packaging for recycling, but it can be dropped off as garbage at the following depots:
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Transfer Station, Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
Why can we put hard plastics labelled with a #6 recycling symbol in the Blue Box but not foam packaging? It has the same #6 recycling symbol.
Foam packaging, or "foamed" polystyrene is a type of plastic (#6). Not all plastics are the same so processing and end market demand for materials vary. Non-foamed, #6 hard plastic such as clear clam shell food containers do have an end market demand. This is why it can be recycled in the curbside Blue Box program in York Region.
Medications and Prescriptions
Take back your waste pharmaceuticals and sharps to your local participating pharmacy for proper disposal. Most pharmacies will take back unused/expired pharmaceuticals.
Traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in rivers, lakes, drinking water and soil. One of the ways they get into the environment is when medications and other personal care products are thrown in the garbage, flushed down the toilet or the sink. Taking preventative action by disposing of pharmaceuticals safely, helps protect our drinking water sources and our ecosystems. Visit york.ca/Idontflush for more information.
What is Accepted
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Natural healthcare products including vitamins and homeopathic remedies
NOTE: Needles and syringes must be in puncture-proof containers. Do not mix substances.
Drop Off Locations
York Region residents may drop off medications at participating pharmacies or at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
- Find a local participating pharmacy
Textiles - Clothing and Fabric
Looking to donate clothing and other textiles? Check out the National Association for Charitable Textile Recycling's online directory for a donation site near you!
Textiles refer to items that include clothing, sheets, towels and drapes or anything made of fabric. Don’t throw clothing or fabrics in the garbage if it can be donated, reused or repurposed; even stained, worn or torn fabrics can be repurposed.
Fabrics made from cotton, wool or other natural fibers will eventually break down but as they do, they can release harmful greenhouse gases. Fabrics made from synthetic fibers, like polyester or rayon will not break down and will last forever if sent to a landfill.
Textile collection bins, in partnership with Diabetes Canada and B’nai Brith, are located at select York Region waste depots. Items must be clean, dry and odourless.
What is Accepted
- Accessories and bags
- Clothing (all types)
- Curtains
- General household textiles (towels, blankets, sheets)
- Shoes and boots
- Sleeping bags
- Stained, worn, torn and scrap textiles
What is Not Accepted
- Any items that do not fit inside bin
- Electronics and sports equipment
- Hazardous materials
- Household items
- Organic waste (food or yard waste)
- Textiles or clothing with biological or dangerous liquids (such as grease, oil, blood or vomit)
Quantity Limits
York Region residents may drop off multiple bags of textiles, but they must fit in the bin.
Drop-Off Locations
You can drop off accepted clothing and fabric items at one of the following Waste Depots:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
For other drop-off locations visit york.ca/bindicator
