Green Bins outside apartment building

Apartment and Townhouse Collection

Our service areas

We provide waste diversion programs to apartment and townhouse sites in:

Ajax
Brock
Clarington
Pickering
Scugog
Uxbridge

Apartments and townhouses receiving municipal waste collection services in the City of Oshawa and the Town of Whitby, should contact their respective municipal office for information on waste collection service.

Green Bin

The Green Bin program is rolling out to apartment and condo residents in Durham Region. You can put all kinds of food waste in your green bin—whether it's raw, frozen, dried, cooked, or spoiled. Just remember to remove any packaging before you throw it in. You can also place items like pet waste, pet litter, diapers, menstrual products, and used paper products (tissues and paper towels) in the green bin.

Residents will soon receive kitchen containers and compostable bags to collect food waste and other Green Bin items. When full, tie the bag and place in the green bin located in your buildings waste collection area.

Please reach out to your Superintendent or Property Manager for information regarding the Green Bin program in your building.

Accepted materials

Food waste

Baked goods
Bread and cereal
Coffee grounds and filters
Dairy products
Eggs and eggshells
Flour and grains
Fruits
Meat, bones, fish and shellfish
Nuts and shells
Pasta, couscous, rice and potatoes
Tea bags
Vegetables

Paper products

Paper egg cartons and drink trays
Paper towels and napkins
Shredded paper
Tissue

Other compostable items

Diapers
Dryer lint
Feathers
Hair
Houseplants
Incontinence products
Menstrual products
Pet fur
Pet waste and pet litter
Sawdust and wood shavings

Unacceptable materials

Aluminum foil
Baby wipes
Coffee cups
Coffee pods
Disposable mop sheets
Plastic bags
Plastic wrap

Green bin liners

You can line your kitchen bin or your curbside bin. Use only certified compostable or paper liners.

When buying liners, buy only certified compostable liners. They should have one of these logos on the box:

Compostable logo www.compostable.info BPI Compostable logo

Recycling

Durham’s recycling program is managed by Circular Materials, the administrator of the common collection system and a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario. Visit Circular Materials for more information.

Accepted materials

Place all containers in the containers blue cart. Rinse all food containers. Make sure there is no grease, liquids or food in them.

Aluminum drink cans
Aluminum foil and trays
Empty paint and aerosol cans (lids removed)
Glass bottles and jars
Juice boxes (no straws)
Milk cartons
Plastic bakery and cookie trays
Plastic bottles
Plastic egg cartons
Plastic fruit and vegetable containers
Plastic takeout food containers
Single-serve yogurt and pudding cups
Spiral containers
Steel food and drink cans
Toiletry bottles

Place all paper products in the papers blue cart.

Boxboard and cardboard - broken down and flattened, into the available bin at your site
Catalogues, magazines and phonebooks
Junk mail and envelopes
Newspaper
Office and computer paper
Shredded paper (place inside a smaller box, such as a cereal box)

Unacceptable materials

Food or beverage pouches
Hangers
Motor oil containers
Plastic bags
Plastic straws or cutlery
Propane or helium cylinders
Tupperware-type containers
Motor oil containers

Garbage

Put your garbage in the onsite bins. Furniture and large item collection is by appointment only. Your building manager makes these appointments.

Accepted materials

All food waste
Coffee cups
Coffee pods
Diapers
Feminine hygiene products
Filters
Juice and food pouches
Pet waste
Plant trays
Plastic bags
Plastic plates, cups and cutlery
Snack bags and wrappers
Styrofoam food trays
Toys
Wipes
Wooden fruit boxes

Battery Recycling

Some buildings have a battery recycling program. Participating buildings have special collection bins in the building. Ask your building manager if your building has a program.

Accepted materials

Standard A, AA, AAA, C, D (standard or heavy duty) batteries
6-volt batteries
9-volt batteries
Button cell batteries
Rechargeable battery packs (NiCad, NiMH, or lithium ion)

Unaccepted materials

Automotive batteries
Damaged, leaking or wet cell batteries
Industrial batteries

Drop off unacceptable batteries at a waste management facility.

Safe battery storage

Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Store them away from any flammable materials. In storage, battery terminals should not touch conductive materials. Cover the terminals on 9-volt batteries before storing them.

Electronics Recycling

It is your responsibility to remove all personal data from your electronics.

Some buildings have an electronic recycling program. Participating buildings have special collection bins in the building. Ask your building manager if your building takes part in the program.

Accepted materials

Display devices (televisions and monitors)
Drones
Home audio/video systems
Desktop computers
Home theatre in-a-box systems
Cameras and security cameras
Vehicle audio/video systems (aftermarket)
Portable Computers
Personal/portable audio/video systems
Musical instruments and recording equipment
Video gaming systems and peripherals
Computer peripherals (routers, cables, chargers, USB)
Desktop printing/multi-function devices, 3D printers and printer cartridges
Phones (telephones, cellular & smart phone devices, pagers)

Used Clothing Collection

Do you have old or torn clothing? Participating buildings have special clothing donation boxes. Ask your building manager if your building has a program.

Accepted materials

All clothing, even ripped or torn items
Bedding and towels
Sleeping bags
Belts and ties
Drapes, scraps and anything else that is a textile/cloth

Property managers and superintendents

Durham Region offers green bin organics and waste collection services to approved properties in:

Ajax
Brock
Clarington
Pickering
Uxbridge

The recycling program in Durham is overseen by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization that manages the shared collection system across Ontario.

The Region considers property owners or managers as the primary contacts and leads for waste collection services at their properties. To help ensure the success of waste diversion programs and maintain ongoing waste collection services, property owners should:

Keep the Region informed with up-to-date contact details for the building by calling 311 (within Regional limits) or 1-800-372-1102, or by email.
Designate a central area for green bin and recycling stations for tenants.
Collaborate with current and new superintendents to support and maintain waste diversion programs at the property.
Include a clause in tenant leases that requires participation in green bin and recycling programs.

Superintendent "Responsibilities"

As a superintendent, the success of the waste diversion program in your building relies on your efforts. You play a vital role in ensuring tenants properly use the green bin and recycling carts.

All superintendents should:

Ensure bins are at the designated set out spot, unlocked, and ready for pickup before 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
Co-ordinate with the Region to provide both new and existing tenants with the necessary tools and resources.
Keep promotional materials posted and in good condition.
Monitor green bins and recycling carts to prevent contamination.
Contaminated bins and carts will not be collected.

We're here to help!

Green Bin

As part of the Regional waste management initiative, all buildings receiving Regional garbage collection are required to participate in the Green Bin Program. This program helps reduce waste and promote sustainability by encouraging proper disposal of food waste and other green bin waste.

To make participation easy, each resident will receive an in-unit kitchen container, which is designed for collecting food waste and other green bin materials. Once full, residents can deposit the waste into the building’s designated green bin or appropriate waste chute.

If residents need more in-unit kitchen containers, magnets or brochures, or you have any questions regarding collection, please contact us by email or call 311 (within Regional limits), 905-668-7711 or toll-free 1-800-372-1102.

Tips and tricks for green bin placement

To effectively integrate waste separation into the daily routine of residents, it’s crucial to make the process as easy and

convenient as possible. One key aspect of this is the strategic placement of organic waste bins. By positioning these
bins in easily accessible and visible locations, residents are more likely to engage in the practice of separating their
waste consistently.

Visible and convenient bin placement directly contributes to higher participation rates and the overall success of an
organics diversion program.

Research shows that the placement of bins is crucial for encouraging participation in food waste separation.
To promote consistent waste diversion, provide a centralized, easily accessible location for all waste streams.
Placing organic green bins bins in high-traffic areas where residents frequently pass by will make them more visible and increase usage.

Tips and tricks for the ick factor

The success of an organics diversion program in a multi-residential setting relies heavily on maintaining a clean and
hygienic environment. If residents begin to associate the organic waste bin with unpleasant smells or pests, they are less likely to participate regularly.

Keeping the bins contamination-free, odor-free and pest-free helps foster a positive experience, encouraging residents to consistently use the organics bin and engage in the diversion program.

Establish a regular cleaning schedule for bins and collection areas.
Consider lining green bins with certified compostable bags, paper bags, or newspaper can help absorb moisture and reduce odors.
To keep pests away, consider using biodegradable repellents like detergent around the bin. If maggots appear, sprinkle salt or vinegar to eliminate them.
To deter animals, try using peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, or hot sauce as natural repellents around the bin.

Tips and tricks for resident participation in the Green Bin program

Let’s do it together!

When new residents sign their lease, make sure you tell them how the Green Bin program works in your building and provide them with an in-unit kitchen container, magnet and copy of the Know Before You Throw brochure.
Post signs informing residents where to find the green bin and recycling room.
Inform residents: use posters and container labels aimed at teaching people how to use the green bin and post them around your building and distribute them directly to your residents.
Region staff are also available on a limited basis to attend special events and tenant meetings. Please contact us by email or call 311 (within Regional limits), 905-668-7711 or toll-free 1-800-372-1102.

Form a “Green Team”

Form a “Green Team”: Passionate volunteers can serve as a valuable resource, guiding residents on simple and effective ways to use the green bin and recycle properly.
This can be particularly empowering when residents have the chance to collaborate with Property Managers in creating the tools and systems that will help promote the green bin program.

Get Social!

Appoint a Green Bin Ambassador: This person encourages green bin use and helps residents who have trouble getting to the waste room.
Keep residents informed by sharing green bin and recycling updates at meetings. If you have a newsletter, consider adding a Green Tips section.

Recycling

Circular Materials and their local collection contractor will perform the following services:

Resolve all instances of missed recycling collection.
Coordinate the repair and replacement of recycling carts.
Provide all promotion and education materials related to the recycling program for property management and residents.

All recycling related inquiries should be directed to your local contractor, Miller Waste Systems using the following contact information:

Phone: 1-888-852-4723
Email: area8@millerwaste.ca

Battery Recycling

The Region of Durham has partnered with Environmental 360 Solutions Limited (E360) to provide collection containers for used batteries at participating multi-residential properties. These containers, located in lobbies or recycling areas, allow residents to dispose of their batteries safely. E360 offers courier service for collecting full containers on a call-in basis.
Participating buildings must have a full-time superintendent to monitor the containers and prevent non-acceptable materials.

Containers must be placed indoors in a visible, accessible area. When full, building managers arrange for the shipment of batteries to E360 for processing. Contact info is provided on the containers.

Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry area, away from flammable materials, and battery terminals, especially on nine-volt batteries, should be covered.

Safe storage

Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry location, away from any flammable material. During storage, battery terminals should not be in contact with conductive materials. The terminals on nine volt batteries, in particular, should be covered prior to storage.

Battery types accepted

Standard A, AA, AAA, C, D batteries (both alkaline and “heavy duty”)
6-volt (often used in lantern batteries)
9-volt batteries (often used in smoke alarms)
Button cells (typically used in watches, toys, greeting cards, calculators)
Rechargeable battery packs - NiCad, NiMH, or Lithium Ion (typically used in laptop computers, cellular phones, etc.)

Due to regulatory requirements, only undamaged household batteries are acceptable for collection. Residents with damaged, leaking or wet cell batteries (such as automotive), should place the batteries in a leak-proof container and deliver them to a Regional Waste Management Facility for recycling.

Electronics Recycling

The Region of Durham operates an easy-to-use electronics recycling program in apartment buildings and townhouse neighbourhoods at municipally approved properties. This free recycling service provides residents with a convenient way to recycle their end-of-life or unwanted electronics.

eCycle Solutions provides storage containers and all materials necessary to promote the program. Residents bring electronics to the designated recycling area for scheduled collection.

Properties are reviewed prior to beginning collection to ensure that safe collection and storage can occur. Indoor storage is recommended to avoid scavenging.

Collection is conducted on a scheduled basis by eCycle Solutions. Larger items that do not fit into the 95 gallon carts, such as TVs and stereo systems, can be placed beside the carts for collection. Maintenance by onsite staff is required to ensure electronic waste is the only material in the bins.

Used Clothing Collection

Diabetes Canada will provide donation bins inside multi-residential sites. Participating buildings are supplied with the bin and Diabetes Canada empties it weekly. Additional collections can be scheduled. All material collected is donated to charity.

Materials accepted

all clothing, even ripped or torn items
bedding and towels
sleeping bags
belts and ties
drapes, scraps and anything else that is a textile/cloth

Garbage Collection

Not all multi-residential properties receive municipal waste service. Approval is granted based on the Region’s Waste Management By-law and Technical and Risk Management Guidelines for waste collection services on private property.

Durham Region provides waste collection services at approved properties in the City of Pickering, Town of Ajax, Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge and the Municipality of Clarington.

Front-end waste bins are supplied for residential waste only. No renovation and construction waste is accepted in the bins. Waste service can be suspended or canceled if unacceptable material is continually found in the bins.

Large bulky items should not be placed in the bins but in a designated area so they can be safely collected.

Collection of bulky and metal goods, which includes furniture, appliances, mattresses and other large household items, requires a scheduled pick-up by appointment in the Municipality of Clarington and Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge only. Buildings located in the City of Pickering and Town of Ajax can place items out on regular collection day.

The property manager or superintendent must make an appointment to have bulky and metal goods collected in Clarington, Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. Contact us by email or call us at 311 (within Regional limits), 905-668-7711 or toll-free 1-800-372-1102.

For garbage collection in Oshawa and Whitby:

City of Oshawa

905-436-3311

service@oshawa.ca

Town of Whitby

905-668-3437

pw.operations@whitby.ca