Garbage and Recycling
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Garbage Collection
| Collection Schedule and Route |
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| Holiday Collection Changes |
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2025
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| Collection Limits |
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Bag Tag Program |
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The Township recognizes there are times of the year, like spring cleaning or summer garage clean-out, when you may need to throw away a few extra bags of garbage. The bag tag program provides residents with an affordable option to dispose of extra waste. Bag tags are a cost of $2.50 each and are available for purchase at the Township office or the participating vendors listed below. We would like to emphasize that these tags are for extra bags, and residents are still permitted to dispose of 3 bags weekly in urban areas, and 6 bags bi-weekly in rural areas. Bag tags are to be affixed to the side of each excess bag, placed so they can be easily seen by collectors. The weight limit of 44 lbs and a maximum size of 125 litres or 28 gallons is applicable to any excess garbage.
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Guidelines |
*If waste is placed in containers, all waste must be fully within the container and not overhang any edges. |
| Unacceptable Material |
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Collection Concerns |
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For missed garbage pick-ups or other garbage concerns, please submit a service request. |
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Hazardous Waste Collection |
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Hazardous Materials must be disposed of at an approved facility and will not be collected curbside. The Township of Southwold partners with the St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre. Residents of the Township are able to take waste materials to this facility that are not permitted to be put out for curbside collection. For location, hours of operation and accepted materials, please visit St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre. |
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Large Item Collection |
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We do not provide large item collection through the municipal curbside collection. The Township of Southwold partners with the St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre. Residents of the Township are able to take large items to this facility that are not permitted to be put out for curbside collection. For location, hours of operation and associated fees, please visit St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre. |
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Yard Waste Collection |
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Residents in the organics program boundaries are able to place yard waste such as leaves and grass clippings in the green bins. Residents are able to bring 5 bags/visit free to the St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre. |
Organics Collection
| About the Program |
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Residents in the urban areas of Ferndale, Lynhurst, and Talbotville currently receiving weekly garbage collection are eligible for the Organics Program. Each residence will receive one green bin. The green bin is like a recycling bin, but for the food and organic waste. Bins are collected curbside. Materials in the green bin are brought to a facility where they are transformed into nutrient rich compost used in gardens and farms. The organics program is a user fee system. User fees describe the cost necessary to gain access to a product, service, or facility. Whether a resident chooses not to use that service does not exempt them from the user fee, since their access has not been restricted. The costs for the program will be included on the final property tax bill each year. This cost is estimated at $95 per year. For residents outside of the organics program boundaries, one digester or one composter per property is available at no cost. Contact the Township office at 519-769-2010 for information. Composters and digesters are also available for purchase at the Township office. Cost per composter is $25.00 (HST included) and cost per digester is $20.00 (HST included). |
| Collection Schedule and Route |
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Holiday Collection Changes |
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2025
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Guidelines |
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Use the green bin to dispose of food waste and table scraps. Residents may use certified compostable bags, or place items directly in your bin. The Township recommends using paper to line the bin to prevent materials from sticking to the bottom. Do not compress items into the bin as it may prevent the contents of the bin from fully emptying when collected by the trucks. Green bins should be placed curbside on collection days by 7:00 am. They should be placed on level ground, with space around it to allow the truck arm to wrap around the bin. Maximum permitted weight of the green bin is 44lbs (20 kg). |
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Acceptable Material |
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Collection Concerns |
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For missed organics pick-ups or other organics concerns, please submit a service request. |
Recycling Collection
There is no bi-weekly blue box limit, however, recyclables must be separated into two categories: containers and paper products. Please note: Recycling placed in plastic bags will not be accepted.
Recycling is collected every second week on your scheduled collection day.
Southwold’s blue box recycling program is now managed by Circular Materials – the administrator of the common collection system and a not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario. Click here to visit Circular Materials’ website.
| Collection Schedule and Route |
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| Holiday Collection Changes |
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2025
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| Blue Box Separation |
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Recycling makes a difference guide for blue box separation – it is better for the environment, it leaves space in landfills, it saves money, and it creates jobs. Below are a few tips to keep in mind when recycling:
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| Recycling Bins |
| Recycling bins are available for purchase at the Township office. Cost per recycling bin is $13.00 (HST included). The Township is not responsible for lost or damaged bins. |
| Collection Concerns |
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Please direct any recycling collection issues to Waste Connections:
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| Recycling App |
| There’s a new app for recycling! Learn what materials go in your recycling bin, find your recycling schedule, receive service alerts and more. Download here: www.circularmaterials.ca/app. |
Composters
Composters are available for purchase at the Township office. Cost per composter is $25.00 (HST included).
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