Leftover paints, old batteries, medicines, and motor oil are all part of a long list of items classified as household hazardous wastes. If not disposed of properly, they can be harmful to not only the environment but to human health. Disposing of hazardous waste by pouring it down the drain may corrode plumbing, poison septic tanks, destroy sewage treatment organisms, release toxic fumes, and contaminate surface and groundwater.
Residents of North Bay and surrounding townships can take these items to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot free of charge. The Household Hazardous Waste Depot is open Wednesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., and located at the Waste Diversion Facility (off Station Rd),
There are limits to how much waste residents can bring per trip. There is a 60 Litre limit per week, greater quantities can be rejected at the discretion of staff. Greater quantities can be rejected at the discretion of the staff.
For general inquiries, please contact the Wasteline or Waste Management 705-474-0400, ext. 2333.
The following products are examples of Household Hazardous Waste that should be taken to the HHW Depot:
Items with refrigerants (AC units, dehumidifiers, water coolers, fridges, and freezers), PCBs, radioactive waste, biological/pathological waste, explosives and unidentified products are banned from the Household Hazardous Waste Depot.
For a complete list of accepted and banned items, view the Garbage Information page.
Residents can also drop-off scrap metal in the metal bin located at the Waste Diversion Facility, off Station Rd. Examples of Scrap Metal include microwaves, metal frames, pipes, old pots and pans, BBQs, etc. Items with refrigerant are banned from the metal bin.
The Paint Re-Use Program is a waste reduction program located at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot (off Station Rd). Good quality paint can be picked up by residents, free of charge.
These chemicals are used in simple applications and seep into the ground. For example:
It doesn't matter how...sooner or later they'll end up in our environment.
Residents should take their HHW products to the HAZARDOUS WASTE DEPOT, FREE OF CHARGE.
If you must use hazardous products, keep the following tips in mind:
5 basic ingredients for alternative household products:
How to Safely Transport and Dispose of your bio medical waste:
The Electronic Drop-Off Depot is open Wednesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents can drop off household electronics such as laptops, desktops, keyboards, monitors, TVs, projectors, radios, speakers, VCRs, DVD players, telephones (landline and cell phones), mp3 players, etc. free of charge. Businesses are asked to contact the Waste Diversion Facility at 705-476-9814 before bringing electronics to the Depot.
Items with refrigerant are banned from the Electronic Drop-Off Depot. These items include refrigerators, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers and water coolers. The city accepts items with refrigerants at the Merrick Landfill. There are fees attached to these items.
Old medicine may not work and could even harm you. Old/unused medicine must be disposed of safely. This includes all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbal products.
Do not throw these products in the garbage; children or animals may get into it. They should not be flushed down the toilet or dumped down a drain as this will contaminate the environment.
Expired or unused medications are accepted at your local pharmacy.