Did you know that different parts of the areas have their own rules about the types of household trash that can put out for curbside trash pickup? Chances are, your neighbours don’t know either. That’s why you sometimes see old toilets and sofas languishing on the curb for weeks on end.
The problem is that the differences aren’t just province to province. Different regions, cities and towns have their own rules about what residents can and cannot throw out. Some even require you to make a pickup appointment.
Here is a look at the rules for throwing out certain household items for some of the different regions and cities in Ontario.
| Toilets | |
| Region/City | Rules for Disposal |
| Toronto | Free pick-up, no appointment needed, no special instructions |
| Peel | Free pick-up, no appointment needed, tank must be detached from the bowl |
| Oshawa | Must book an appointment for pick-up. Only 1 free pick-up per year. Cost is $25 thereafter. |
| Ajax/Pickering | Must book an appointment for pick-up. Tank must be detached from the bowl. |
| Newmarket | Free pick-up, no appointment needed, tank must be detached from the bowl |
| Markham | Toilets in good condition can be dropped off for re-use at Donation Centre. Broken/damaged toilets must be set out at the curb no earlier than your normal collection day. |
| Furniture, Mattresses, and Other Large Non-Metal Items | |
| Region/City | Rules for Disposal |
| Toronto | Free pick-up, no appointment needed. For items infested with bedbugs, refer to Bed Bug Guidelines. |
| Peel | Free pick-up, no appointment needed. |
| Oshawa | Must book an appointment for pick-up. Only 1 free pickup per year. Cost is $25 thereafter. |
| Ajax/Pickering | Free pick-up, no appointment needed. However, there is a limit of two bulky items per bi-weekly collection. Extremely heavy pieces of furniture might not be taken. |
| Newmarket | A large item sticker must be purchased for $12. The sticker needs to be applied to the item before it is placed on the curb during regular collection times. |
| Markham | Items in good condition are t be taken to a donation centre. Broken items must be set out at the curb no earlier than regular trash pick-up days. |
| Large Appliances | |
| Region/City | Rules for Disposal |
| Toronto | Free pick-up, no appointment needed. Doors should be removed from refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, etc. |
| Peel | No curbside pick-up. Items must be taken to a community recycling centre. |
| Oshawa | Must book an appointment for pick-up. Only 1 free pickup per year. Cost is $25 thereafter. |
| Ajax/Pickering | Must book an appointment for pick-up. All appliances must be empty. Refrigerators must have doors removed. |
| Newmarket | A large item sticker must be purchased for $12. The sticker needs to be applied to the item before it is placed on the curb during regular collection times. |
| Markham | Items in good/working condition can be dropped off for re-use at a Donation Centre. Broken/damaged metal items (remove fluids) can be dropped off at any of Markham’s Recycling Depots or collected monthly by appointment. |
This is only a small sample of the rules and regulations surrounding household garbage disposal within Ontario. For more details, please visit the website for your local city or region. Additionally, for larger items or numerous items outside of the usual scope allowed by your local garbage pick-up, you can also hire a private junk removal service. To locate a junk removal service in your area, please visit the Junk and Rubbish removal listings on eieihome.com.
