Garbage, Recycling & Landfill

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Township of Howick will no longer be responsible for the Blue Box Recycling program. Responsibility is shifting to the producers of recyclable materials under Ontario's new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, meaning the producers of packaging and paper products will fully fund and operate the program. For Howick, the service will be managed by the EPR's subcontractor, Waste Management Canada, based in Mount Forest.

Only eligible sources - all residential properties, including single family homes and multi-unit buildings - will have their recyclables picked up curbside. Non-eligible sources, such as businesses, institutions, and industrial properties, will need to arrange their own recycling services or bring their recyclables to the Howick Landfill for a tipping fee. 

Note: Any business operating out of an eligible residence, these properties will still receive bi-weekly residential curbside recycling collection.

Bi-weekly curbside waste collection will be unchanged. Howick businesses, industrial, commercial or institutional properties will continue to set out their garbage in a clear garbage bag, with a bag tag visible, based on the current bi-weekly schedule.

Under the new provincial system, only Eligible Sources - residential properties - will continue to receive bi-weekly curbside recycling collection. All residential properties are encouraged to utilize the bi-weekly curbside collection service.  

Effective January 1, 2025, if Howick residential properties take their recyclables directly to the Howick Landfill, the Non-Eligible Sources Recycling Program tipping fees will apply. 

Non-Eligible Sources

Non-eligible Sources, including businesses, Industrial, Commercial & Institutional (IC&I) Properties will no longer be a part of the residential curbside recycling program effectibe January 1, 2026.  Businesses and IC&I properties will be responsible to source their own collection and disposal of their recycling.  

2026 Garbage & Residential Recycling Curbside Collection Schedule

Assisted Recycling Collection Available for Residents with Disabilities

If a temporary or permanent physical disability makes it difficult for you to set your recycling bin or cart at the curb, you may qualify for assisted collection service through Circular Materials. This service helps residents fully participate in the recycling system across Ontario at no extra cost.

How to apply:
• Complete the Special Accommodation Recycling Service Application online.
• You’ll need a physician’s note confirming the disability and need for assistance.
• After you apply, a Circular Materials team member will contact you with next steps.

💻 No computer? Need help completing the form? Contact Circular Materials at:
📧 customerservice@circularmaterials.ca
📞 1‑877‑667‑2626

Visit Circular Materials Website for more information.

In the newly enhanced provincial recycling system, residential properties will be able to recycle more materials than ever in their curbside recycling! The current list is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on acceptable materials for curbside collection, visit circularmaterials.ca. 

Full Acceptable Recyclable Materials List (beginning January 1, 2026)

New Acceptable Recyclable Materials List for Residential Curbside Collection

• Beverage cups (hot and cold, lids removed)
• Ice cream tubs (lids removed)
• Empty deodorant sticks and toothpaste tubes
• Frozen juice containers and spiral cans (i.e. cookie dough) (lids removed)
• Black plastic containers and packaging
• Foam packaging (i.e. meat trays, takeout containers, plates)
• Plastic plant pots
• Empty aerosol and spray cans for food/personal care products
• Corrugated cardboard

Note: Unfortunately, Howick is unable to accept these additional materials directly at the Howick Landfill as part of the Non-Eligible Sources Program. It will be a separate disposal process that does not allow these materials at this time. 

Starting January 1, 2026, industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) properties (including all businesses) will no longer be eligible for Ontario’s curbside Blue Box program. This category includes:

• All private businesses, including shops and offices
• Churches and places of worship
• Daycares
• Campgrounds without housing
• Public buildings such as libraries, arenas, municipal shops, and administrative facilities
• Commercial farms without a residence
• Non-profits, including shelters, food banks, and other institutions

ICI properties will need to make alternative arrangements for recycling. Options include drop-off at the Recycling Depot at the Howick Landfill or establishing collection through a private service provider.

To help reduce waste and preserve the remaining capacity of our landfill, Howick Township will continue to provide a drop-off recycling depot at the Howick Landfill for non-eligible sources -  45589 Harriston Road, Gorrie, ON (east of Fordwich Line on Highway 87).

Howick Landfill Regular Hours (unchanged):

• Monday (year-round) 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday - May 2 to October 31 - 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Saturday - November 1 - May 1 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Closed on Statutory Holidays, including Easter Monday and the Civic Holiday.

Howick Township will offer a Non-Eligible Sources Reycling Depot at the Howick Landfill for our businesses, industrial, commercial and institutional (IC&I) properties to continue to have a place to dispose of their recyclables. Because this program is not provided under the Province's new residential Blue Box program, a new Non-Eligible Sources Recycling Tipping Fee will apply beginning January 1, 2026. 

*New* Non-Eligible Sources Reycling Program Tipping Fees: 

• $2.00 per bag or blue box
• $2.00 per blue box, armful load or bundle of cardboard

Effective January 1, 2026, if Howick residential properties take their recyclables directly to the Howick Landfill, the Non-Eligible Sources Recycling Program tipping fees will apply. 

Non-Eligible Sources, such as businesses, industrial, commercial and institutional properties will need to make their own arrangements for recycling beginning January 1, 2026. 

Waste Management Canada offers Commercial Frontload Recycling Dumpsters for Non-Eligible Sources at the following rates (as of December 17, 2025):

Home-use batteries can be dropped off at the Howick Municipal Office or Howick Landfill site. Car batteries can be dropped off at D&M Auto in Gorrie.

Farmers and businesses can contact Switch Energy Corp directly to arrange for pickup. For more information, contact Switch Energy at (519)524- 0193 or email dnott@switchenergycorp.com.

The OES electronics recycling program ended on January 1, 2021. The Township of Howick will continue to accept electronic recycling free of charge with a few changes, as all the recycling has to be sorted into the five categories listed below:

1. Data bearing devices, circuit boards and high grade material (packed together)
2. Flat screen monitors and TVs (packed together)
3. CRT Monitors and TVs (packed together)
4. Printers, peripherals and low grade items (packed together)
5. Wires/cables (packed together

Howick Township will be transitioning to an automated waste and recycling curbside collection system.

Waste Management Canada is awaiting the arrival of new, automated, dual-collection trucks, currently anticipated to arrive between May and July. Once their new fleet is operational, 64-gallon waste carts will be provided and delivered to all Howick properties (including businesses, industrial, commercial and institutional). 95-gallon recycling carts will be provided and delivered to all eligible residential properties. Businesses, industrial, commercial and institutional properties will continue to be responsible for their own recycling, with the Recycling Depot at the Howick Landfill available as one option, with applicable Recycling Tipping Fees. 

Curbside collection via carts will follow the current biweekly schedule on Mondays. We understand that waste & recycling collection changes are sometimes difficult, but we believe this will be a better collection system with more consistent service for Howick Township. 

A minimum of 30 days’ notice will be provided to ensure that everyone is ready for this change, and to notify Howick ratepayers when garbage bags and bag tags will no longer be accepted at the curbside.

We strongly encourage residents to make full use of the curbside collection service provided. The new cart system will help keep garbage and recycling securely contained, reducing issues with animals, wind, and scattered debris, while also supporting more efficient and consistent collection.

Howick Township provides bi-weekly curbside collection of household garbage. 
To ensure pickup, all materials must be properly sorted and at the curb by 7:00 a.m.

Waste is to be placed curbside in a clear/transparent garbage bag with a bag tag, Recycling may also be placed in a clear/transparent garbage bag, it does not need to be in a blue box and does not require a bag tag. 

If you need to report a missed pickup, please contact Waste Management's Call Centre directly at 1-800-561-1655.

Users of Howick Landfill site are required to place their garbage in clear/transparent disposal bags. This includes curbside pick-up. All contents must be visible to landfill staff and curbside collection employees, with the exception of one personal bag within the clear bag.

2026 Curbside Collection Schedule and Map

Clear garbage bags play an important role in improving waste management and protecting both the environment and collection staff. Using clear bags makes it easier to identify recyclable materials, which encourages proper sorting and increases recycling participation. This helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and supports more sustainable waste practices.
Clear bags also help prevent hazardous materials—such as batteries or other prohibited items—from entering the regular waste stream. When these items are visible, they can be removed and disposed of safely, reducing potential environmental harm. 

From a safety standpoint, clear bags allow collection staff to see the contents before handling them. This visibility helps reduce the risk of injury from sharp objects, broken glass, or needles. While clear bags improve transparency, privacy is still respected. Residents may use small opaque privacy bags within their clear garbage bags to conceal sensitive or personal items.

Effective July 7, 2025 the Howick Landfill hours are:

• Monday (year-round) 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday - May 2 to October 31 - 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Saturday - November 1 - May 1 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Closed on Statutory Holidays, including Easter Monday and the Civic Holiday.

Landfill Location

45589 Harriston Rd (East of Fordwich Line on Hwy 87)                           
Telephone: (519) 335-3328