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Commercial Waste

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Home/Living Here/Garbage and Recycling/Commercial Waste

Commercial truck

Due to COVID-19 measures, applications for commercial landfill accounts will not be processed until Regional offices re-open.

We offer drop-off facilities and other services to businesses, as described below.

Our drop-off locations and landfill accept waste that has been generated within only Waterloo Region; waste from other jurisdictions is not allowed. If you are bringing waste to our sites, please plan ahead, check our requirements and fee schedule below. Note that we require 24 hour advance notice of loads of waste from large building demolition projects. 

The Region of Waterloo does not offer business waste collection. There are many local commercial haulers who can provide garbage, recycling and organics collection services. 

Set up a commercial account

Due to COVID-19 measures, applications for commercial landfill accounts will not be processed until Regional offices re-open.

Businesses hauling large quantities of waste to our sites on a regular basis should consider setting up a commercial account with us.  (We take VISA, Mastercard, debit or cash for scale transactions as well).  

To set up a commercial landfill account with the Region of Waterloo, please call 519-575-4400 Ext : 3121 to request an Application for Credit form. Complete and mail the form to Region of Waterloo Finance Department, 150 Frederick Street 4th Floor, Kitchener, ON  N2G 4J3, or fax the form to 519-575-4448.

Bringing waste to our facilities

 

Plan ahead

  • Read the by-law and landfill bans to understand rules and requirements. Violators can be refused entry and in some cases, face surcharges.
  • Since loads of building demolition waste (such as from a house or larger building) require additional staff and equipment, notify us 24 hours in advance,
    • by email: wasteopsadmin@regionofwaterloo.ca, or
    • fax our Cambridge site at 519-740-0822 or Waterloo site at 519-883-1145. 
  • If you are coming to our Waterloo site, determine where you need to go based on the type of vehicle you will be driving:
    • Gate 1 at our Waterloo site can accept vehicles such as pick-up trucks with self-tipping trailers, roll-off trucks, dump trucks, and tractor trailers up to 24 metres (80 feet) long and having a total gross weight (combined weight of vehicle and load) up to 80 metric tonnes (176,000 pounds).
    • Gate 2 at our Waterloo site can only accept small vehicles such as cars, vans, and pick-up trucks with a maximum length of 10 metres (35 feet) and total gross weight of less than 25 metric tonnes (55,000 pounds).
  • Our Cambridge site can accept all kinds of vehicles from cars and pick-up trucks to tractor trailers up to 24 metres (80 feet) long and having a total gross weight up to 80 metric tonnes (176,000 pounds). 
  • Sort loads by material type if you want to be charged lower tipping fees. Customers will be required to drop off any garbage first, then weigh each other material (such as recyclables, yard waste, etc.) separately. Loads of mixed materials will be charged at the highest applicable rate. Note:  Our sites are permitted to accept waste generated in only Waterloo Region.
  • Be aware of the fee schedule, payment options, and hours of operation. See sections below.
  • Prepare the proper identification/information. Examples include: the commercial account number, or a contract for local renovation work. 
  • Bring helper(s) to unload, if necessary. Regional staff is not permitted to assist you.
  • Wear safety gear and bring tools, as appropriate. Safety boots and high-visibility safety vests are required at Gate 1 of our Waterloo site.
  • Secure open loads (such as with tarps or ropes).

When you are onsite

  1. Your vehicle will be weighed in and out. Wait for the green light before driving onto the scale. Do not get out of your vehicle while on the scale.
  2. Provide the information required by the scale house operator, such as what material(s) you have for disposal and your account number, if applicable.
  3. Follow instructions provided to you by staff and signage. Obey the posted speed limit.
  4. Drop off the correct material in the correct area. When doing so, turn off your vehicle, unless it is necessary to keep it running (such as operating a walking floor trailer).
  5. Keep pets and non-helpers in the vehicle.
  6. Do not remove, scavenge, or scatter any waste material.
  7. Do not smoke.
  8. Be prepared to pay fees when weighing out.

Locations and hours of operation of our landfill and other waste facilities

The Region of Waterloo operates the following two facilities: 

  • Cambridge Waste Management site, 201 Savage Drive, Cambridge, Ontario N1T 1S6
  • Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West, Gate 1, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3Z4 (across from Costco). Safety boots and a high-visibility safety vest are required.

Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Holiday schedule:  Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

These locations accept waste that has been generated within only Waterloo Region. Waste from other jurisdictions is not allowed.

Materials and fees

  • Our locations accept waste generated within only Waterloo Region.
  • Wear appropriate safety gear. Safety boots and high-visibility safety vest are required. Note: Safety vests can be purchased from the main scale at our Waterloo site for $25 each.
  • There is a minimum $5 fee at our waste drop-off locations.
  • Loads over the $5 minimum fee will be charged at the rates listed below.
  • Loads of mixed materials will be charged at the highest rate. For example, if you have garbage and cardboard, you will be charged at the garbage rate.
  • Garbage tags cannot be used towards payment at our locations.
  • Payment options: debit or credit. As a COVID-19 measure, no cash, please.
  1. General refuse/garbage is charged at $82 per metric tonne.
  2. Tires are charged at $82 per metric tonne.
  3. Garbage requiring special handling, such as stumps greater than 60 centimetres (24 inches) in diameter, brush greater than 2.4 metres (8 feet) in length, wire, Styrofoam, asbestos. These items are accepted at our Waterloo site only and charged at $164 per metric tonne.
  4. Drywall (gypsum wallboard) is charged at $82 per metric tonne. Must be free of contamination, such as wood, plastic, insulation, ceramic tiles and other garbage.
  5. Recyclables including blue box materials, green bin organics, yard waste, brush, leaves, grass, inerts (such as clean fill, bricks, concrete rubble), appliances and scrap metal are charged at $41 per metric tonne.

     - Appliances: a $10/unit Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) removal fee also applies.

     - Concrete rubble: an additional surcharge rate applies if the material contains rebar, wire mesh, or other embedded materials or is in oversized pieces.

6. Wooden pallets/skids is charged at $82 per metric tonne. Must be free of contamination, such as metal or plastic banding, plastic wrap, and other garbage.

Also,

  • Garbage tags are sold in sheets. $10 per sheet ($2 per tag, 5 tags per sheet). Available at Cambridge at Waterloo (Gate 2) only.

Drop-off programs for businesses

Below are programs that the Region of Waterloo offers at both of our Waste Management sites: 201 Savage Drive, Cambridge, and 925 Erb Street West (Gate 1), Waterloo.

For other options and opportunities, consult our Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Directory. 

Drywall (gypsum wallboard)

The Region of Waterloo has a voluntary diversion program for drywall (gypsum wallboard).

  • Drywall loads must be free of contamination, such as wood, plastic, insulation, ceramic tiles and all other garbage.
  • Cement wallboard (often used in bathrooms and basements) will not be accepted.
  • Metal screws, nails and corner bead are acceptable, as is painted drywall.
  • Drywall that is wet (from rain or snow) but clean is still acceptable.

Cost:  $82 per metric tonne

Where does it go? All drywall collected through this program is 100 per cent diverted from landfill, and reused in products for soil stabilization and/or animal bedding.

Tires

Cost:  $82 per metric tonne

Alternative:  Go to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority's website to find local businesses that accept tires as part of a stewardship program.

Wooden pallets

The Region of Waterloo has a voluntary diversion program for wooden pallets/skids.
  • Pallets must be free of contamination, such as metal or plastic banding, plastic wrap, and all other garbage. The existing nails or staples in pallets are acceptable.
  • Wood pallets that are wet (from rain or snow) but clean are still accepted.
  • No other wood is accepted.

Cost:  $82 per metric tonne.

Where does it go?  All pallets collected through this program are 100 per cent diverted from landfill, and reused (ground up for animal bedding).

How to dispose of commercial hazardous waste

The Region of Waterloo's waste management sites are not licensed to receive hazardous waste from industrial or commercial sources. Disposal of hazardous waste in our local sanitary landfill is a serious offence under Provincial legislation.

Information regarding proper disposal procedures and guidelines can be obtained from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Check our list of haulers and other information in our Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Directory.

Asbestos - pre-approval and other requirements

Asbestos is not accepted in our curbside collection programs. 

Asbestos disposal must be pre-approved by Regional staff, and is accepted for disposal only at the Waterloo Waste Management Facility, 925 Erb Street West, Gate 1, Waterloo. Only asbestos generated from within Waterloo Region will be accepted.

Please, 

  • Review the Asbestos Disposal information sheet for restrictions, fees, approval process, disposal limits and other details.
  • Fill out the Request for Asbestos Disposal and email to wasteopsadmin@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Other waste requiring disposal approval

Waste materials that require approval for disposal are typically soil type materials which may or may not be contaminated, wastes that are by-products of manufacturing, and certain construction and demolition wastes.

Materials may be accepted if the material meets certain regulatory standards, and there is a need as determined by Regional Waste Management Operations staff. 

For more information, including the form and procedure, please refer to the Waste Disposal Request Intake form.  

Please note:  This procedure does not apply to disposal of asbestos waste. Refer to the Region's Asbestos Disposal procedure below.

Ways to reduce business waste

Businesses looking for ways to reduce their waste are encouraged to:

  1. Examine the types and amounts of waste created by your business. Consider ways to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle wastes in your plant/office, through your suppliers and for your customers. Set goals. Involve, train and update staff. Monitor and continually improve your progress.
  2. Consult our Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Directory for ways to divert various types of waste. And check out what waste you can divert at Regional sites. Fees will apply.
  3. Ensure compliance with applicable legislation. For example, Ontario regulation 103/94 requires source separation programs for certain businesses. Go to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks website for additional information and resources.
  4. Review your current waste collection contracts and contact your current and other waste haulers to investigate diversion options. 
  5. Consider "greening"  your purchasing policies and procedures to reduce/reuse/recycle packaging, and purchase locally-produced items and items with recycled content.
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