Curbside Waste Support Programs

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Assisted Waste Collection Service

The Region of Waterloo’s Assisted Waste Collection Service is for residents living with a disability or physical limitation who need assistance placing the Region-issued black garbage and green organics carts to the curb for collection and do not have someone available to help them.

This service does not include emptying indoor containers into carts, moving carts from anywhere other than the agreed upon set-out location, or collecting waste outside your regular schedule. Collection staff will not enter homes or garages to provide this service.

NOTE: The personal information you provide on this form is collected under the Municipal Act and protected by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Regional Municipality of Waterloo staff will use this information only to administer the Medical Exemption Program and/or the Assisted Waste Collection Service.

Medical Exemption Program

The Region of Waterloo’s Medical Exemption Program is for residents who have medical needs that create extra garbage (such as packaging, incontinence products, or unrecyclable medical waste).

Approved applicants receive 30 garbage bag tags per year at no charge. Extra garbage bags must be tagged and placed beside the garbage cart.

How to Apply

Have a Medical Professional Confirmation ready:
- If you are applying for both services, you must use this form.
- If you are applying for just the Medical Exemption Program you may submit a Medical Professional Confirmation from your Medical Professional or use this form: Medical Exemption Program Medical Confirmation
- If you are applying for just the Assisted Waste Collection Service you may submit a Medical Professional Confirmation from your Medical Professional or use this form: Assisted Waste Collection Service Medical Confirmation
Fill out and submit the online application form. You can also apply by calling our Service First Contact Centre at 519-575-4400.

Next Steps

Once your application and all required documents are received, staff will typically review within 5 business days.

For the Assisted Waste Collection Service, staff will contact you to schedule a site visit to determine an agreed upon set-out location.

For the Medical Exemption Program, if your application is approved, 30 garbage bag tags will be mailed.

Residents must renew their Curbside Waste Support Programs annually. No Medical Professional Confirmation is required for renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Assisted Waste Collection Service?

It is available to eligible households that receive municipal curbside waste collection.

Who is eligible for the Medical Exemption Program?

The Region of Waterloo’s Medical Exemption Program is for residents who have medical needs that create extra garbage (such as packaging, incontinence products, or unrecyclable medical waste).

Please note that hazardous or biomedical waste such as syringes or unused medications cannot be set out for regular curbside collection.

How long can I participate in the Curbside Waste Support Programs?

Once an application is approved, applicants are to renew on a yearly basis unless it was identified that their need is temporary. The service may be terminated if the conditions noted in the application form no longer apply.

If you no longer require the Assisted Waste Collection Service or the Medical Exemption Program, you must call the Service First Contact Centre at 519-575-4400 or email wastesupport@regionofwaterloo.ca. Any remaining tags from the Medical Exemption Program must be returned. Do not give away or sell the tags.

What is a Medical Professional Confirmation?

A Medical Professional Confirmation is a form completed by and signed by a Medical Professional that is required for both the Assisted Waste Collection Service and the Medical Exemption Program.

Who can sign the Medical Professional Confirmation:

The confirmation must be completed by an authorized Medical Professional who knows the resident and their care needs.

This may include a physician, surgeon, osteopath, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, home care aide, midwife, occupational therapist, pharmacist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, optometrist/ophthalmologist or social worker.

What can be picked up by the Region’s waste collection contractor as a part of the Assisted Waste Collection Service?

Collected:

Region-issued black garbage cart
Region-issued green organics cart
Tagged bags

Not collected:

Recycling (Recycling is handled by Circular Materials)
Yard waste
Bulky items or large metal items

What happens if my waste was not collected?

If your waste was not collected, please call the Service First Contact Centre at 519-575-4400 or fill out our online form to report a collection issue.

Will I get Assisted Waste Collection Service in the winter?

Yes, collection will continue during the winter. For collection, please ensure that region-issued carts are accessible and that pathways between the agreed upon set out location and the curb remain clear of snow, ice, and other obstacles.

How do I dispose of home medical waste?

Double bag all non-hazardous home health care waste. Put material in a bag and then put that bag inside a garbage bag. Tie all bags shut.
Syringes and over-the-counter/prescription medicines: Visit Health Products Stewardship Association website. Type in your postal code to find a pharmacy near you that takes back these items.
Pathological/biomedical waste as classified by the Province's guideline C-4: The Management of Biomedical Waste in Ontario or any successor legislation is not accepted in any of our programs and must be handled as required by the legislation.

What happens if I move?

If you have moved or are planning on moving, call the Service First Contact Centre at 519-575-4400 or email wastesupport@regionofwaterloo.ca

Contact Us

If you have questions about how your information is collected or used, about the Medical Exemption Program or the Assisted Waste Collection Service, or about the application process, please email wastesupport@regionofwaterloo.ca or call the Service First Contact Centre at 519-575-4400.