Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste in Guelph

Thankfully most municipalities across Canada offer a safe recycling and disposal of household hazardous waste. The professional organizers of Align Home Organizing are happy to haul away these items for you, as part of the complete service we offer to our organizing clients in Guelph, Ontario. However if you're wanting to tackle purging of your home DIY-style, here's what you need to know:

Taken from the Waste Reduction Programs page of the City of Guelph's website in September 2017:

Guelph residents can bring household hazardous waste items to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot where items will be recycled, or disposed of safely. Residents will be required to fill out a hazardous waste ticket before dropping off any materials.

Household Hazardous Waste Depot

Cost

No charge to Guelph and Wellington County residents

Location

Waste Resource Innovation Centre 110 Dunlop Drive, Gate 3

Hours of Operation

Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays.

The City encourages Guelph residents to continue to act responsibly when it comes to the disposal of hazardous items. Bring your hazardous waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, visit our Take it back Directory for a list of local retailers where you can drop off certain household hazardous waste material at no cost. Guelph’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot ONLY accepts residential hazardous waste. Large commercial loads of hazardous waste will not be accepted at the Depot.

What materials are accepted?

Around the house

Aerosol cans
Batteries (disposable and rechargeable)
Bleach
Cleaning products (drain, floor, glass, oven, etc.)
Cooking oil
Fire extinguishers
Floor, furniture and metal polish
Compact Flourescent Light, fluorescent bulbs and tubes
Medicine (over-the-counter and prescription)
Nail polish and remover
Needles and syringes (hypodermic)*
Paint
Perfume
Solvents
Thermometers
Thermostats

*Needles and syringes must be in a rigid plastic container (ex. bleach bottle), soaked in bleach overnight, drained, and the lid of the container must be taped securely on before being brought to the Household Hazardous Waste depot.

In the garage

Antifreeze
Brake fluid
Car batteries
Car care products (wax or polish)
Driveway sealer
Fuel (gasoline, diesel, kerosene)
Motor oil and oil filters
Paint, stain and varnish
Paint thinner
Windshield wiper fluid

Fuel will only be accepted in a ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved plastic or metal gasoline container.

Around the yard

Fertilizers
Herbicides
Insecticides
Pesticides
Pool/hot tub chemicals
Propane tanks and cylinders

What materials are NOT accepted?

Ammunition or explosives
Bio hazardous waste
Commercial, industrial or institutional waste
Flares and fireworks
Laboratory chemicals
Radioactive materials
Waste containing PCBs
Broken glass is NOT considered hazardous waste

Preparing household hazardous waste for safe and easy transport

All materials should be left in the original container to allow easy identification of the contents.
Do not mix products together.
Collect household batteries in a small bag, plastic container or coffee can.
Wastes should be sealed and labelled.
Gasoline will only be accepted in a ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved plastic or metal gasoline container. NEVER store or transport gasoline in glass, in metal cans with plastic parts or in plastic containers which have not been approved for these uses. Replacement containers will be provided at no cost.
Bring all hazardous waste in a cardboard box or rigid container.
Needles must be placed in a rigid plastic container, soaked in bleach over night, drained and labelled.
Special procedures for Compact Florescent Lights and florescent bulbs

Drop-off procedure

Upon arrival at 110 Dunlop Drive, follow signs to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot
Remain in your vehicle at all times
Proceed to the scale house on the green light; advise the clerk you have household hazardous waste materials
Drive to the Household Hazardous Waste unloading area
Be patient and expect a wait time for service
Do not walk your material to the Depot
Do not unload your material until directed to do so by Household Hazardous Waste staff
Fill out and sign the Household Hazardous Waste ticket provided to you by the Household Hazardous Waste staff

Absolutely NO smoking or cell phone use during unloading!

There is no charge to Guelph and Wellington County Residents.
Guelph’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot ONLY accepts residential hazardous waste.
All materials should be left in the original container to allow easy identification of the contents.
Gasoline will only be accepted in a ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved plastic or metal gasoline container. NEVER store or transport gasoline in glass, in metal cans with plastic parts or in plastic containers which have not been approved for these uses. Replacement containers will be provided at no cost.
Large commercial loads of hazardous waste will not be accepted at the Depot