Waste Diversion

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 place all leaves and brush at the curbside no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled start day for your area. Please note that the dates provided are starting dates only and the materials at the curbside will be collected by the end of your scheduled week, weather permitting.
• Please ensure leaves are bagged using paper bags
• Tree limbs and brush are to be tied in bundles no longer than 5 feet in length and no larger than 4 inches in diameter
• Paper bags and brush left at the curbside after your collection date will not be picked up
• Residents who reside on private roads/lanes must bring the materials to the main intersection for curbside collection.

Spring 2024: Leaf & Brush Collection

April 15-19, 2024: Urban area residents (from Highway 401 to County Road 8 at the golf course hill)

April 22, 2024: Rural area residents.

Rural area residents MUST call Infrastructure Services at 613-354-3351 ext. 113 prior to Friday, April 19, 2024, to arrange for rural pickup.

Greater Napanee Giveaway Days are scheduled for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, and Saturday, September 7th, 2024. More information will be available leading up to each Giveaway Day.

The Giveaway Day is a great opportunity to de-clutter and find a new home for any unwanted items while also picking up something you may want or need for free! Keep gently used items out of the landfills by allowing others to re-use or up-cycle them.

Greater Napanee Giveaway Day Registration Form

2024 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event - Saturday, September 7, 2024

When/Where?

The 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Day event is taking place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm at GFL Environmental (444 Advance Ave).

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
• All lamp types: CFL, fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, HID, UV, germicidal, and LED bulbs and tubes

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 2023, 549 vehicles (632 households) participated in the Town's Household Hazardous Waste Event. A total of 25,130 litres and 2,195 kilograms of hazardous waste was diverted from our community. In addition, crews collected 935 kilograms in car batteries, numerous propane tanks and 590 kilograms of plastic was recycled! The materials collected during the event are sent to a licensed facility for 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 (106 William Henderson Dr, Bath, 613-634-2010 ext. 5).

• Paints and Stains: For disposal, paints and stains can be taken to Brendar Environmental (106 William Henderson Dr, Bath, 613-634-2010 ext.5). 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.

Christmas Tree Collection is complete for 2024. Check back for 2025 dates. 

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

Christmas trees can also be dropped off free of charge at the South Fredericksburgh Waste Disposal Site located at 651 Road 1, and the Roblin Waste Disposal Site located at 232 Roblin Road on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

For more information, please call the Infrastructure Services Department at 613-776-1163.

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.

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 Greater Napanee Municipal Administration Centre located at 99-A Advance Avenue. Backyard composters can also be purchased from local hardware stores. 

Not sure where to recycle items? Check out Where to Recycle for locations in and around the community where you can take recyclable items.