Garbage

You can place up to four garbage bags at the curb every other week.

Rules

• Your garbage must be at the curb before 7 a.m. on your collection day.
• Garbage bags or cans cannot weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each.
• Ensure all garbage is bagged and securely tied, even if it is in garbage cans. Any loose garbage will not be collected. 
• A standard size garbage bag or can counts as one bag.
• Additional bags or cans must have garbage bag tags attached. Tags are $2.50 each.
• We do not collect renovation material such as cabinetry, lumber, drywall, doors, carpet or underlay.
• Please remove all tie-downs (i.e. bungee cords) prior to collection.

Safe with your waste

Help protect waste collection workers by disposing of sharp items safely. Broken glass, broken porcelain, and medical sharps can cause serious injuries if placed in the garbage.

Broken glass and porcelain

If you need to dispose of broken glass or porcelain:

• Box it. Place broken glass or porcelain inside a sturdy cardboard box.
• Tape it. Seal the box securely with tape.
• Label it. Mark the box as Broken Glass or Broken Porcelain in large, bold letters.
• Set the box out beside your garbage for collection. 

Medical sharps

Medical sharps are objects that cut skin and come in contact with bodily fluids, such as hypodermic needles, syringes, EpiPens or lancets. 

To dispose of medical sharps:

• Place used sharps in an approved sharps container. Containers are available at local pharmacies.
• Return the full container to a participating pharmacy free of charge.
• Visit healthsteward.ca to find a participating pharmacy.

For the safety of our waste collection workers, all waste set out for collection must comply with Regional waste collection requirements. The Region has a zero-tolerance policy for broken glass, broken porcelain and medical sharps in the garbage. 

Accepted materials

• Broken toys
• Cigarette butts and ashes (cold)
• Coat hangers (wooden)
• Cork
• Crayons, pens, pencils and markers
• Furnace filters
• Gum
• Hoses
• Ribbons and bows
• Single-use masks and gloves
• Tape
• Wipes, mop and dryer sheets
• Zip ties

Not sure where it goes? Let us help you. Use Know Before You Throw to search for information on particular items.

Garbage bag tags

You can buy garbage bag tags for garbage bags or cans over the four-bag limit. Tags are $2.50 each (sold in sheets of 5 tags for $12.50).

For your convenience the Region offers contactless options to purchase bag tags. Bag tags may be purchase online or by calling the Region at 311 (within Regional limits) or 905-668-7711 (toll-free 1-800-372-1102).

Approved collection containers

Garbage cans:

• Garbage cans must hold less than 125 litres (30 gallons).
• Maximum can size: Height 95 centimetres (38 inches), and width 60 centimetres (24 inches). Cans must have two handles, and any lids must be removable.
• The weight of the garbage can and its contents must not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
• Residents living in Oshawa and Whitby must use garbage bags. Garbage cans are not acceptable in these areas.

Garbage bags:

• Maximum garbage bag size: 66 centimetres (26 inches) by 90 centimetres (36 inches) when empty.
• The weight of the garbage bag and its contents must not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds).

Residents who set out their waste in oversized garbage cans or bags will not have their garbage collected.

Special consideration for garbage bag limits program

Special consideration may be available for residents with a medical condition. If you have any questions, call us at 311 (within Regional limits) or 905-668-7711 (toll-free 1-800-372-1102).

Please be advised that the Region of Durham only collects home healthcare waste from properties deemed residential by Durham Region. All products must be rinsed, cleaned and should also be double bagged for curbside collection.

Report a missed pickup

Waste collection may occur until 7 p.m. Please leave items at the curb until then. If your items have not been collected by 7 p.m., submit a missed waste pickup request.