Bruce County Hazardous and Special Waste Collection Schedule 2011

Is Your Hazardous Waste Going to the Right Place?

The average Canadian household generates 20 to 40 litres of Household Hazardous and Special Waste (HHSW) each year. What is hazardous and special waste? Hazardous and special waste materials are substances, which may be harmful to people, animals, or the environment when not handled properly. They can be in the form of a solid, liquid or gas and may contain corrosive, toxic, flammable or reactive ingredients. An easy way to identify most HHSW is by looking at the label on the container for danger symbols. But beware, not allproducts carry these signs.

Household Hazardous and Special Waste includes but is not limited to products such as:

  • Paints and Solvents
  • Fluorescent Bulbs Household Cleaners
  • Batteries
  • Pool Chemicals
  • Gasoline
  • Diesel
  • Propane Tanks
  • Anti-freeze
  • Motor Oil
  • Waxes and Polishes
  • Oil Filters
  • Aerosols
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Pesticides

Improper disposal of HHSW in the garbage, drains, sewers or backyards is not only hazardous to public health but can also contaminate our water supply and other natural resources. These hazardous products contain toxic ingredients and should be used and disposed of with caution. Household Hazardous and Special Waste can be disposed of at any one of Bruce County's HHSW collection events. Each year the Bruce County Highways Department organizes events throughout the County for the collection of Household Hazardous and Special Waste materials from residents. It's an opportunity to clean out your kitchen cabinets, bathroom, basement, garage and storage shed to remove all unwanted pesticides, cleaners, aerosols, oils, gasoline, anti-freeze, batteries (automotive and household), propane tanks, paints, solvents and medications (prescription and over the counter). Hazardous materials require special handling when receiving, packaging, transporting and storing the materials and must also comply with all regulations governed by Ontario Regulation 347, Environmental Protection Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. All wastes are transported to a facility for treatment and subsequent recycling or safe disposal. What can you do to reduce hazardous waste?

  • Learn more about the chemicals in your home environment
  • Avoid hazardous products by using environmentally friendly alternatives
  • Follow the 3R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Buy only the amount you need and trade or give away what's left
  • Safely store your waste and bring it to a Household Hazardous & Special Waste collection event

The Corporation of the County of Bruce offers this service for the safe recycling and disposal of HHSW materials free of charge to the residents of Bruce County. They are however, unable to accept large volumes of products, sharps, radioactive waste, explosives (i.e. ammunition, flares), PCB's, or industrial, agricultural, commercial or institutional waste. For more information regarding the annual Bruce County Household Hazardous & Special Waste Collection, please call 519-881-2400 or 1-877-681-1291 Ext. 4 or visit our website at http://www.brucecounty.on.ca/waste-management.php