The City of Ottawa is finally reviving its household hazardous waste depots.
The depots are a way for residents to safely get rid of items around their home that can’t go to the landfill.
Normally, depots would be held at various locations across the city between April and October, but this spring’s stay-at-home order has prevented the depots from going ahead until now.
As it is, the city has released the date for just one depot so far, which will be held over five days from June 22 to 26 at the Conroy Road Snow Disposal Facility, 3100 Conroy Rd.
Editor’s note Aug. 4: Further dates this year include Aug. 8 in Orléans, Sept. 12 at Tunney’s Pasture, Sept. 26 at Trail Road and Oct. 24 in Stittsville. Details at the link below.
Landfill diversion
Open to Ottawa residents, the city’s household hazardous waste depots accept corrosive, flammable and poisonous products that can’t go down the drain or to landfill because they would contaminate the water or soil.
These depots also accept a long list of household items such as paint, fire extinguishers, fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and pool chemicals. For a list of what is accepted, as well as details and times for this year’s first depot, check the city’s website.
The June depot will not be accepting electronic waste, but the city says residents can bring electronic waste to the Trail Road Landfill facility at no cost. The city’s Waste Explorer app can also assist in identifying how items can be properly disposed.
In 2020, depot drop-offs helped divert more than 698 tonnes of hazardous waste from landfill, including 58,000 CFL light bulbs and fluorescent tubes, 12 tonnes of batteries and 356 tonnes of paint.
Details of other household hazardous waste depots for 2021 will be made available when locations and dates have been confirmed, the city says.