Garbage and Recycling

GARBAGE BY-LAW

By-Law 09-48, as amended, is a by-law to provide for the collection and disposal of waste in the Municipality of Greenstone. A new waste management by-law to regulate waste is being developed.

*NOTICE: Garbage can restrictions are being actively enforced. Please ensure that your cans comply with curbside collection rules for worker safety.

INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL WASTE COLLECTION

On January 1 2026, municipal waste collection services will end for industrial, commercial and institutional sector properties. To see if this change affects your establishment refer to the amended By-Law which comes into effect on January 1, 2026.

ACCEPTABLE GARBAGE CAN SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum can capacity: 175 litres

Maximum can filled weight: 23 kilograms

Can Description: Metal or plastic, made of durable rust-proof material capable of withstanding freezing temperatures, tapered (having a larger top than bottom) and equipped with suitable handles for lifting, carrying and dumping. Lids must be tight fitting and easily removeable.

LANDFILLS, RECYCLING & Spring Clean Up

Information about our landfills including locations, hours of operation, tipping fees and waste diversion can be found on our Landfills page.  

We have been working with the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority and Circular Materials organizations to set up more recycling opportunities for Greenstone residents and will provide announcements on the introduction of residential curbside recycling via our News Feed and social media posts.  To read more about Ontario's recycling plan visit the websites for the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority and Circular Materials.

Right now, we are in the consultation stages for one of our largest projects, the development of a new waste management system that will guide landfill and waste diversion in Greenstone for many years to come.  We encourage your participation in the consultation process!  Updates for upcoming events are provided on the Greenstone Waste Management Environmental Assessment page.  

More information about projects and planning can be found on our Plans, Reports and Studies page.

Information about Spring Clean Up program activities can be found on our Spring Clean Up page.

Weekly residential garbage collection 

Please place your contained garbage on the roadside by 7:00 a.m. on the day of your pickup, as per the Garbage By-Law.  

View our garbage collection schedules and routes listed below to find your collection day. The garbage collection calendar will provide you with an alternative pickup date for your area in the case of a holiday on your regular garbage day. 

We aim to provide great service, but delays sometimes happen due to unplanned events such as highway closures, severe weather, or equipment failure. If a schedule disruption occurs, we will provide notice in our news feed. You can also subscribe to our alerts.

TIPS FOR PUTTING OUT YOUR GARBAGE

Please follow our Garbage By-Law guidelines when you put out your garbage.

• Make sure your garbage is out by 7:00 a.m. It is not operationally possible to provide a pick-up time. If you missed the collection, you can bring your waste to a municipal landfill free of charge during regular hours of operation.  
• Use garbage cans with tight fitting lids that are easily removable. If birds or bears have strewn your garbage about, it is your responsibility to clean up the mess.
• Use garbage cans that are metal or plastic made of durable rust-proof material capable of withstanding freezing temperatures, tapered (having a larger top than bottom) and equipped with suitable handles for lifting, carrying and dumping.
• Your garbage can when filled must not exceed 23 kgs. Container size and weight restrictions are in place to protect workers performing repetitive manual waste collection.
• Keep your garbage can(s) clean and sanitized.
• Use garbage bags. No loose garbage in cans.
• Dispose of solid pet waste in a sealed, leak-proof bag. 
• Do not dispose of medical sharps, construction waste or liquid waste in your household garbage. These items could harm our staff, cause damage to our garbage truck compactor, or make a mess during transportation.  
• Contact your pharmacy to properly dispose of medicines or sharps. They don't belong in the landfill!
• Deliver household items such as renovation or construction materials to our landfills, or use a local waste bin rental company to help you dispose of larger quantities of waste.

If your garbage is not in compliance, your garbage will be tagged to let you know why it wasn't picked up.

Contact the Public Services Department at 807-854-1100 if you have a question about garbage collection or landfill access.