Waste Drop-off Sites and Programs

Green bins/Blue boxes: additional or exchanges

We provide green bins and blue boxes to new homeowners. If you are a new homeowner or renter in Waterloo Region, have moved within the last six months and receive curbside collection, bring proof of your new/changed address and pick up a set of blue boxes and a green bin.

Green bins:

Additional or replacement green bins are free of charge and while supplies last. If your green bin is broken, bring it to our transfer stations for exchange.

Blue boxes:

Bring broken blue boxes to our transfer stations to exchange for a new one. Missing or stolen blue boxes cannot be replaced. Additional blue boxes can be purchased. Visit our blue box page for features to look for when shopping. 

Access on site differs. For Cambridge, get direction by speaking with staff at the scale house and for Waterloo, Gate #2, go to the Household Hazardous Waste area assistance. 

Materials accepted and fees

The fee increases reflected below come into effect as of Saturday, April 1, 2023.

• Our locations accept waste generated within Waterloo Region only.
• Minimum $12 fee at the waste drop-off locations (some exemptions apply). Loads over the $12 minimum will be charged at the rates listed below. The $12 fee covers up to 120 kilograms of garbage, or 240 kilograms of recyclables. Note that the minimum fee is in place to partially recover the costs of operating this service and to encourage residents to use their curbside service.
• Sort the waste to ensure recyclables get recycled and only garbage goes into our local landfill.
• Loads of mixed materials will be charged at the highest rate. For example, if you have garbage and cardboard, you will be charged the garbage rate. 
• Payment options: debit, credit (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) or cash. The credit card must be present at the time of drop off; calling in credit card numbers is not accepted. Garbage tags cannot be used towards payment at our locations.
• Our sites are closed for residential drop-off on all statutory and designated holidays. 

1. General refuse/garbage is charged at $9.80 per 100 kilograms. 

• Asbestos disposal requires pre-approval and other requirements.
1. Recyclables including blue box materials, green bin organics, and yard waste are charged at $4.90 per 100 kilograms.

2. Appliances and scrap metal are charged at $4.90 per 100 kilograms. Note: A $10 per unit Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) removal fee also applies for some appliances. 

3. Inerts, such as clean fill, bricks, soil and concrete rubble, are charged at $9.80 per 100 kilograms. Note: An additional surcharge rate applies if concrete rubble contains rebar, wire mesh, or other embedded materials or is in oversized pieces (larger than 3 ft x 3 ft). Oversized inerts are only accepted at the Waterloo location.

4. Drywall (gypsum wallboard) is charged at $9.80 per 100 kilograms. See details about this diversion program below.
5. Wooden pallets/skids are charged at $9.80 per 100 kilograms. See details about this diversion program below.

Other services:

• Garbage tags are sold at $10 per sheet ($2 per tag and 5 tags per sheet) at the Cambridge and Waterloo (Gate 2) scale houses.
• Weighing personal vehicle is charged at $12 per vehicle. 

Bringing waste to our sites:  How to plan ahead

1. Read the by-law and bans to understand the rules and requirements. We can only accept waste that has been created in Waterloo Region. Violators can be refused entry and in some cases, face surcharges at our drop-off locations.

2. Determine what gate/site you can access based on your type of vehicle:
   • Gate 2 at our Waterloo site can only accept small vehicles such as cars, vans, single axle trailers and pickup trucks with a maximum length of 10 metres (35 feet) and total gross weight (combined weight of vehicle and load) of less than 25,000 kilograms (55,000 pounds). 
   • Gate 1 of our Waterloo site can accept vehicles such as pickup trucks with self-tipping and tandem axle trailers, roll-off trucks, dump trucks, and tractor trailers up to 24 metres (80 feet) and weighing up to 80,000 kilograms (176,000 pounds). 
   • Our Cambridge site can accept all kinds of vehicles from cars and pickup trucks to tractor trailers up to 24 metres (80 feet) long and weighing up to 80,000 kilograms (176,000 pounds). If you have a dump trailer, please inform the scale operator and you'll be directed to the tipping floor of our transfer building. Note: This option is not available on Saturdays.
3. Sort loads by material type if you want to be charged lower tipping fees. You will be required to drop off any garbage first, then weigh each remaining material (such as blue box items, yard waste, etc.) separately. Loads of mixed materials will be charged at the highest applicable rate.
4. Be aware of the fee schedule, payment options, and hours of operation.
5. Prepare the proper identification, such as proof of residency
6. Bring helper(s) to unload, if necessary. Region of Waterloo staff is not permitted to assist you.
7. Wear safety gear and bring tools, as appropriate (such as gloves and garden fork if you have loose yard waste). Closed-toe footwear, ideally safety boots are recommended for your protection at all sites. Safety boots and a high-visibility safety vest are required at our Waterloo Gate #1 site. Safety vests can be purchased from the main scale at our Waterloo Gate #1 and Cambridge sites for $25 each.
8. Secure open loads, such as with tarps or ropes.
9. Schedule a time that works for you. Note that Saturdays are usually very busy; expect lineups. Our sites are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

When you are onsite

1. The following COVID-19 measures are in place:

   • Staff limit the number of vehicles permitted on site.

   • Drop-off areas, bins and bunkers have been separated to allow for appropriate distancing.

   • Residents are reminded to please restrict themselves to essential trips only, and to observe physical distancing.
   • For payment, credit or debit cards are preferred. Cash is accepted.
2. 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.
3. Provide the information required by the scale house operator, such as what material(s) you have for disposal. Be prepared to show photo identification proving you are a resident of Waterloo Region. Or if you are contracted to do work in Waterloo Region, the signed agreement/letter on letterhead of the local business.
4. Follow instructions provided by staff and on signage. Obey posted speed limits.
5. Drop off the correct material in the correct bin/area. Do not push down/compact the material inside bins and drop-off areas.
6. If you have different materials to drop off in different bins/areas, secure your load (such as closing the trunk) before moving to the next bin/area.
7. Please reduce pollution and do not idle your vehicle. Park and turn off your vehicle when dropping off material.
8. Children, pets, and non-helpers must remain in the vehicle at all times.
9. Do not remove, scavenge, or scatter any waste material.
10. Do not smoke.
11. Be prepared to pay fees when weighing out.
12. If you are picking up replacement blue boxes or green bins and dropping off your broken containers, 
• at our Cambridge site, please inform the scale house operator and they will provide directions
• at our Waterloo site (Gate 2), go to the brown Household Hazardous Waste depot which is located on the left-hand side before the inbound scale.

Holiday hours

Our sites are closed to residents on statutory and designated holidays.

Family Day:  Monday, February 20, 2023

Easter: Friday, April 7, 2023, and Monday, April 10, 2023

Victoria Day: Monday, May 22, 2023

Canada Day: Saturday, July 1, 2023

Civic Holiday:  Monday, August 7, 2023

Labour Day: Monday, September 5, 2023

Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 9, 2023

Remembrance Day: Saturday, November 11, 2023

Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 2023

Boxing Day: Tuesday, December 26, 2023

New Years Day: Monday, January 1, 2024

Cooking oil

Cost:  Free

Where:

• Cambridge Waste Management site, 201 Savage Drive, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please tell the scale house operator that you have cooking oil to recycle and the operator will provide instructions.
• Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West (Gate 2), Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please empty your container in the labelled bulk cooking oil tank near the Household Hazardous Waste depot (on the left before you reach the inbound scale). Empty plastic containers can be placed in the nearby recycling cart.

Our sites are closed on statutory and designated holidays.

What happens to it? The used cooking oil gets recycled into bio-diesel. 

Diapers and incontinence products

Cost:  Free 

Where:

• Cambridge Waste Management site, 201 Savage Drive, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West (Gate 2), Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our sites are closed on statutory and designated holidays.

What happens to it? Diapers and incontinence products will be landfilled. 

Drywall (gypsum wallboard)

• No wood, plastic, insulation, ceramic tiles and other garbage. 
• No cement wallboard (often used in bathrooms and basements).

Cost:  $9.80 per 100 kilograms. 

Where:

• Cambridge Waste Management site, 201 Savage Drive, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West (Gate 2), Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our sites are closed on statutory and designated holidays.

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

Household Hazardous Waste

Wooden pallets

• No metal or plastic banding, no plastic wrap, and other garbage.
• No other types of wood. 

Cost:  $9.80 per 100 kilograms.

Where:

• Cambridge Waste Management site, 201 Savage Drive, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West (Gate 2), Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our sites are closed on statutory and designated holidays.

What happens to the pallets? They are 100 per cent diverted from landfill, and reused (ground up and used as animal bedding).