Waste Diversion

The following special waste/recycling events and pick-ups are available to residents to assist in diverting waste from landfills:

Leaf and Brush Collection (Spring and Fall)

Our Waste Disposal Sites accept leaves and brush year-round. Should you wish to take these items directly to our waste disposal sites, please see site information listed on our Waste Disposal Sites page.

Leaf & Brush Collection Event Details:

Leaf and brush collection happens twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This service is intended for general yard clean-up of leaves and brush only and does not apply to tree removal. If you see Town staff collecting brush and leaves ahead of schedule it is because they are trying to get a head start with collection. Staff will return to your neighbourhood on the assigned collection day to collect brush and leaves placed at the curbside.

Please keep in mind the following guidelines to ensure that your leaves and brush are collected properly and effectively:

  • Please do not put materials out to the curbside more than a week in advance of your collection schedule
  • Brush must be at the curb no later than 7:00 am on your assigned collection day
  • Branches no larger than 4 inches in diameter will be accepted
  • Branches must be bundled no longer than 5 feet in length
  • Please stack brush with cut ends facing out towards the road
  • Leaves must be put in paper bags only
  • Absolutely no plastic bags of any type will be accepted. It is important that leaves and/or brush is not put in plastic bags of any type, even those that are marked biodegradable. Any leaves or brush put in plastic bags of any kind will be left at the curb
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Information 
 2022 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event - Saturday, September 10, 2022
When/Where?
The 2022 Household Hazardous Waste Day event is taking place on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Drain All (444 Advance Ave) from 8 am - 2 pm. 
Please stay tuned for more details as they become available.
What is Accepted? 
  • Paints (flammable and toxic). Do not mix latex with oils base paints
  • Automotive batteries (corrosive and toxic). Wear rubber gloves when handling
  • Household batteries, disposable and rechargeable (corrosive and toxic)
  • Household medicines/old prescriptions (toxic) in a separate bag
  • Waste Oil (flammable and toxic). Clearly mark the container
  • Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides (toxic)
  • Pool chemicals and bleach (reactive and toxic) Do not mix and keep separate from each other and from other chemicals
  • Turpentine, furniture and paint stripper, varsol, solvents, gasoline, linseed oil, nail polish and nail polish remover, BBQ lighter fluid (flammable and toxic)
  • Wood preservative, wood stains, anti-freeze, glues, window cleaners, disinfectants, rat and mouse poisons (toxic)
  • Oven cleaners, drain cleaners (corrosive)
  • Old propane tanks (explosive)
  • Aerosol containers (explosive, toxic and flammable) Empty containers as well 
  • Sharps including needles, syringes and lancets
What is Not Accepted? 
  • Explosives
  • Fire works
  • Ammunition
  • Biological wastes
  • PCB wastes or light ballasts
  • Helium or freon tanks
  • Old computers, printers or monitors
  • No commercial waste
How to Deliver Your Hazardous Waste 
  • For your own protection, deliver the hazardous waste material labeled in the trunk of your car. If you are using a truck or a trailer to dispose of your hazardous waste, please ensure that your load is safe and secure
  • Do not mix materials
  • All materials must be clearly marked
  • If the container is damaged, package the container in the plastic bag in order not to spill it during the journey to the collection site
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the chemicals 

In 2021, 567 vehicles (704 households) participated in the Town's Household Hazardous Waste Event. A total of 40,623 litres and 2,120 kg of hazardous waste was diverted from our community. In addition, crews collected 79 car batteries, 800 propane tanks and 800 kg of plastic was recycled! The materials collected during the event are sent to a licensed facility got appropriate treatment and/or disposal.

The annual event allows for the proper disposal of items such as:

  • Paints
  • Solvents
  • Batteries
  • Old prescriptions and medicines
  • Waste oil
  • Pesticides, Insecticides, and Herbicides
  • Cleaners and disinfectants
  • Propane tanks and aerosols.

Products collected during the household hazardous waste event are categorized and sorted to either be reused, recycled or packed for safe, proper disposal. Depending on the types and physical state of the hazardous waste, treatment and/or solidification processes may take place.
How & Where to Dispose of Hazardous Waste Throughout the Year 

If you need to dispose of hazardous waste prior to our annual Household Hazardous Waste Day Event, the following items may be accepted at certain locations throughout Greater Napanee or surrounding areas:

 

  • Tires: For disposal of tires, please see your local tire dealership for details.

  • Used Oil: For disposal of used oil, please see your local mechanic shop or oil supplier.

  • Helium tanks: For helium tanks, please see your local scrap metal recycling centre for details.

  • Refrigerants: For disposal of refrigerators, please contact a fridge repair company for a certified specialist to remove freon. Once the refrigerator has the freon removed and is tagged, it can be disposed at one of our waste disposals sites.

  • Water Softener: For disposal of water softener units, please see your local scrap metal recycling centre for details.

  • Shingles and Construction Material: For disposal, shingles and construction material can be taken to:

    • Westendorp Disposal (1709 Westbrook Rd, Westbrook, 613-384-8555)
    • Napanee Waste Solutions (2332 County Rd. 41., 613-388-2400)

    Please note that a disposal fee will be required at both locations.

  • Prescription Medication: Prescription medications can be taken to any drugstore where prescription medication is dispensed for disposal. 

  • Compact Fluorescent Lights (curly ones only): For disposal, compact fluorescent lights (curly ones only) can be taken to Brendar Environmental (104 County Rd 4, Bath, 613-352-1100)

  • Paints and Stains: For disposal, paints and stains can be taken to Brendar Environmental (104 County Rd 4, Bath, 613-352-1100). Some local hardware stores are also able to recycle paints and stains *Please do not include aerosols*

  • Pesticides: For disposal of pesticides, please contact your local environmental service.

  • Automotive Batteries: Please contact your local scrap metal recycling centre. 

  • Household Batteries: Please visit your local hardware store for disposal bins, or Brendar Environmental.

For more information on hazardous waste disposal, please contact Infrastructure Services at 343-302-7637.
2023 Christmas Tree Collection

Please stay tuned for details regarding the 2023 Christmas Tree Collection.

Things you need to know for proper Christmas tree disposal:
  • Place trees at the curbside prior to the collection date
  • Remove nails, metal, ornaments, tree stands and tinsel from the trees
  • DO NOT wrap the trees in plastic
  • Artificial trees are NOT accepted
  • Residents who reside on private roads/lanes must bring the materials to the main intersection for curbside collection

If you have missed the Christmas tree collection, please take your Christmas tree directly to our waste disposal sites. Please see our Waste Disposal Sites page for more information.

Electronics Recycling

We encourage our residents to recycle their electronics instead of disposing them in landfills. Both of our Waste Disposal Sites accept electronics for recycling, as well as various organizations throughout the Town.
 Composting

Do you use a backyard composter?
There are many benefits of composting. Composting helps sandy soil retain moisture and prevents drought. Compost can be used to break up clay or sandy soils and it adds nutrients to all soils. Compost also improves drainage and reduces soil erosion, enhances plant colour and reduces the amount of waste set out on the curb by 40%!

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding composting:

How do I begin composting? 

Place a 4" to 6" bottom layer of coarse material such as dead plant stalks and small branches in your composter. Alternate layers of yard waste and kitchen waste in 4" to 6" increments. Top off the compost pile with 1" of soil or finished waste.

Make sure your composter is on ground level in the sun. The warmer the material, the faster the process. If you only have shady areas, it will still work, just not as quickly. The unit should be in contact with the earth, rather than on patio stones or paved areas to allow organisms to work into the pile and speed up the composting process. Place the unit approximately 8" to 12" away from fences, decks or buildings to discourage animals. Composting is an excellent soil enhancer; it can be used as an additive to existing soil. Ensure that the soil and compost are mixed in equal parts (50/50). 

  • Chop materials into small pieces (the smaller the better)
  • Put materials in layers - alternate 'browns' (dry leaves, straw, wood chips) and 'greens' (kitchen scraps, grass clippings)
  • Add water if necessary - the compost needs to be slightly damp (like a wrung out sponge)
  • During Spring and Summer, turn the pile with a pitchfork, shovel or compost turner
What can I put in my compost?
Acceptable items:
  • Leaves and grass clippings
  • Plants and weeds
  • Used potting soil
  • Fruit scraps and vegetable peels
  • Crushed egg shells
  • Coffee grounds with filters and tea bags
  • Paper (shredded, not glossy)

Unacceptable items:

  • Pet waste
  • Meat, fish and bones
  • Dairy products
  • Fats or oils
How long does composting take?
Composting typically takes anywhere from two months to two years. The timeline is dependent on the volume of organics being composted, the amount of water and aeration. To help speed up the process, turn your compost frequently. 
Can I compost in the winter?
Yes! Continue to add materials to the compost throughout the winter. In the colder months the decomposition process will slow down a little but will continue as usual when it warms back up. 
How do I use my compost when it is ready?

You can use compost as mulch around plants and trees. This will help retain moisture and smother weeds. Compost can also be used in your lawn or garden. Make sure to dig compost into the earth before planting flowers and vegetables. 

Finished compost is dark and crumbly in texture and will have a pleasant earth-like smell. If you follow the instructions that came with your unit, you could have results in as little as 3 to 6 months. To remove the compost, scoop it through the trap door on your unit. Pick or screen out any lumps or bits of uncomposted material and put them back in the composter.
Where to can I purchase a backyard composter?
Earth Machine composters can be purchased for $45 at the Infrastructure Services Office at 45 Commercial Court. Backyard composters can also be purchased from local hardware stores. 

We would like to thank all of our residents who actively recycle. We would like to continue to see our waste diversion rate climb, so please do your part to recycle and divert wastes from the landfill. In 2019, the Town diverted over 34% of our waste from landfill through our recycling and diversion programs! Keep up the great work!

 

 

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