Household hazardous waste (batteries, electronics, paint, chemicals, old medications) must be taken to special depots or collection events. It’s usually free and it’s the law. Throwing these items in the regular garbage is not only bad for the environment but can also lead to fines.
Glass – check local rules. In some places, glass goes in the blue bin; in others, it must be taken to a depot, especially if the recycling facility is single-stream. Metal lids from jars can often go in the blue bin.
Large items (furniture, construction debris) – you can often book a special pickup from the city for a fee, or it’s cheaper to haul it to the dump yourself.
Many municipalities offer rebates or lower variable rates for households that compost or choose smaller garbage bins. It’s worth checking with your city hall or municipal website.
The result? A family of four can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year on garbage tags or hauling fees – all while helping protect the environment.
Sorting waste isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about being smart. And we Canadians are learning: every bottle, every piece of paper – it’s money in our pocket and a cleaner tomorrow.
