Waste Tips

Batteries Placed at Curb outside of designated spring and fall collection dates

We collect batteries at the curb twice a year in the spring and fall. Please check your collection schedule by downloading the Durham Region Waste App or using our schedule lookup tool on the Collection Schedule page.

Alternative drop off locations

• Region of Durham's Waste Management Facility 
• Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority's (R.P.R.A.) 'Where to Recycle' map display locations across Ontario where you can drop off used materials to be recycled, such as batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting and tires. Find locations near you.

Batteries not placed in a clear, sealed bag on top of Green Bin

Place batteries in a clear, sealed bag on top of your Green Bin on your designated battery recycling day.

Rules

• Put masking tape over both ends of lithium, button cell, and 9-volt batteries. This is for safety reasons.
• Place used or unwanted batteries in a clear zipper style bag.
• Seal the labelled battery bag. Put it on top of green bin on your battery recycling day.

Unacceptable types of batteries placed at curb

Accepted materials

• Standard A, AA, AAA, C, D (standard or heavy duty) batteries
• 6-volt batteries
• 9-volt batteries (cover the terminals on 9-volt batteries before placing them at the curb).
• Button cell batteries
• Rechargeable battery packs (NiCad, NiMH, or lithium ion)

Unaccepted materials

• Automotive batteries
• Damaged, leaking or wet cell batteries
• Industrial batteries

Drop off unacceptable batteries at a waste management facility.

Safe battery storage

Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Store them away from any flammable materials. In storage, battery terminals should not touch conductive materials. Cover the terminals on 9-volt batteries before storing them. 

Cardboard was not broken down

Fold cardboard boxes flat and cut, tie and bundle cardboard. The cardboard should not be larger than the size of your blue box.

Materials are not separated

Recycling must be separated into paper fibres placed in one blue box and containers placed in a separate blue box. Mixed materials are harder to separate at the recycling facility.

For more details about this waste, visit the Recycling page

Incorrect liner bags in the green bin

Use only 100% certified compostable liner bags. For more details about this waste, visit the Green Bin page

Garbage bags are too big

Only use standard sized garbage bags no larger than 66 cm x 90 cm (26" x 36"). Purchase bag tags if necessary, visit the Garbage page

Garbage was set out in a garbage can

For collection efficiency, the City does not pick up garbage that has been set out in returnable containers or cans. Instead, use garbage bags at the curb.

Incorrect set out day

Garbage collection occurs every other week. Check your schedule or use the schedule lookup tool on the Collection Schedule page to verify that you have the correct day.

For more details about this waste, visit the Garbage page

The pick up was not scheduled for collecting large items (furniture or appliances)

Call Service Oshawa or book online on the Large Item Collection page at least two business days before your garbage collection to arrange for the pick-up of large items.

Exceeds the 12 item limit

Up to 12 items may be picked up during a large item collection. Small items must be placed in garbage bags, set out with your regular curbside garbage collection, and affixed with a bag tag if necessary. Additional large item collections may be booked for a $35 fee. Alternatively, items may be taken to the Region of Durham's Waste Management Facility

Items exceed the size restrictions

For materials to fit into the collection vehicle and to ensure worker safety, large items should not exceed 3 m (10 ft.) in length or weigh more than 70 kg (154 lbs.). Bundled items must not exceed 76 cm (30 in) in length, 36 cm (14 in) in width and 36 cm (14 in) in height and weigh less than 20 kg (44 lbs.).

If your waste was not collected, please remove it from the curb by 8 p.m.
Items left at the curb are subject to a fine or clean up fees.

For more details about this waste, visit the Large Item Collection page

Incorrect day

Yard waste is collected seasonally, every other week on the same day as your garbage day, starting in the spring and ending in late fall. Check your collection schedule by downloading the Durham Region Waste App or using our schedule lookup tool on the Collection Schedule page

Grass clippings

Grass clippings are not allowed at the curb because they cause issues at the compost facility. Instead, leave grass clippings on your lawn and let them decay naturally. This saves time and improves the health of your lawn.

Unacceptable container

Yard waste set out in plastic bags will not be collected. Instead, use only kraft paper bags or clearly labelled returnable open-top containers.

Higher than normal volumes

The spring and fall often are periods with higher volumes of yard waste. During these periods, residents may experience delays of up to two business days in yard waste collection services. Check our website for service updates. We appreciate your patience.

For more details about this waste, visit the Yard Waste page