Recycling curbside collection
Curbside recycling collection takes place every two weeks, usually on the same day every week, except for holiday exceptions. To find out your collection day, look for the recycling symbol on your waste collection calendar.
Check out Our Green Guide (PDF) for more information about recycling specific types of items.
What time to place recycling at the curb |
Place recycling at the curb after 4 pm on the day before collection, or before 7 am on the day of collection. It is important to make sure garbage is at the curb on time, as collection schedules can vary. |
Recycling item limit |
There is no limit on the number of items you can put out for collection. |
How to recycle |
Recycling is as easy as 1, 2, 3
Please note that single-use bags and all styrofoam plastics are not allowed in the recycling stream. In addition, rinse your containers and do your part to keep the recycling stream clean. |
Recycling curbside pick-up |
Place recycling bags 1.5 m (5 feet) away from your garbage at the curb. The maximum bag weight is 18kg (40 lbs.). Do not place recycling bags on snowbanksWaste collection staff cannot collect recycling from the top of snowbanks for safety reasons. If you are running out of room, use a shovel to dig a hollow in the snowbank in which to place your recycling for collection. |
Apartment recycling |
For apartment recycling information, contact your apartment Superintendent. |
Recycling depots
Thunder Bay has three recycling depots.
Mountdale Avenue and Walsh Street Depot |
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Front Street Depot |
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City of Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Facility Depot |
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Tips for using the depots |
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Household hazardous waste
If the product you wish to dispose of is marked DANGER or POISON, this indicates that it is toxic, corrosive or extremely flammable. WARNING or CAUTION indicates that the product is slightly toxic. Disposal of all of these products poses a threat to the environment if not handled correctly, so we encourage you to drop off such materials at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot.
Household Hazardous Waste Depot location and hours |
Location The Depot is located at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility, 5405 Mapleward Rd., between Oliver Road and John Street Road. Hours Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Sundays and statutory holidays |
What products does the Depot accept |
The Depot only accepts special residential waste such as:
Bring hazardous waste in its original container, or label all products you bring to the Depot. Never mix hazardous wastes. |
Identifying hazardous waste |
It is not always easy to identify hazardous products. Consumers often rely on product labels for information, but labels may not list all ingredients. To determine if a product is potentially hazardous, see if it bears any of the following symbols or signal words such as Danger, Warning, Poison, Caution, Caustic, Irritant or Volatile. Products labelled Danger are the most hazardous, and products labelled Caution are the least hazardous. |
Sharps and used medications |
Canada's Health Products Stewardship Association has made it possible for Ontarians to return unused or expired medications and sharps, free of charge, to many pharmacies in our community. Find a list of collection locations near you. |
Stewardship Ontario's Orange Drop Program |
Under Stewardship Ontario's Orange Drop Program, local retailers accept many hazardous waste items for proper disposal. For a full list of locations or "Drop Zones" and what hazardous wastes they accept, visit Make the Drop's website. |
Electronic waste
Used, broken or unwanted computer and electronic equipment doesn't belong in the landfill. Not only can it leach toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium into the soil, but it contains valuable materials that can be recycled. Electronics waste must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.
How to recycle electronic items |
Electronic items can be taken to the City of Thunder Bay Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility. Accepted items include:
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What happens to electronics being recycled? |
Ontario Electronic Stewardship funds the collection and consolidation of e-waste in Ontario. Waste is collected and shipped to industries that disassemble and re-use up to 90% of the e-waste components. |
Working electronics |
Items still in working condition, and not obsolete, can be donated to agencies such as The Salvation Army - just call first to confirm. Check the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under Second-Hand Store or Computers - some local businesses will buy used computers in working condition. |
For more information on recycling collection and depots, call the Infrastructure & Operations Dispatch at 625-2195.
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