Waste Depots

​​​​​​​​​The Municipality of Chatham-Kent operates eight depots that provide a variety of waste management services, including blue box recycling, e-waste disposal, scrap metal recycling, battery disposal, used oil recycling, garbage disposal, etc. These services are available to all residents; however, free disposal of household garbage and blue box recyclables is limited to residents who do not receive curbside municipal collection.

​​Waste Depot Access Program

Non-curbside residents—those outside curbside collection areas who rely on Waste ​​​​​Depots—​​must present a valid Waste Depot Access Permit to dispose of non-curbside household waste and recycling free of charge. The 2025 permits have been mailed in late 2024.  

Bulk Item Disposal at Waste Depots

Non-curbside residents receive 12 bulk item vouchers per year (3 per quarter). Each voucher allows the disposal of one item and must be presented at the depot.

Designated Waste Depots

Residents are asked to use their designated waste depot based on their civic address. This ensures non-curbside residents access full services while curbside residents are limited to eligible items (e.g., tires, white goods, e-waste). Check the Chatham-Kent Garbage and Recycling Maps if you are unsure about your designated waste depot.

Permit and Voucher Renewal

Permits and vouchers expire annually on December 31. Renew them for free at any Municipal Service Centre starting in November. Replacement permits cost $5 each.​​

If you have any questions, please check our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have not received your permit or have additional questions, please contact Chatham-Kent's customer service.​

Operating Procedures

To ensure smooth operations and maintain environmental​ standards, the following guidelines apply.

Holiday Schedule

Waste depots will be closed on the following dates: 

• Family Day (Monday, February 17th)
  
• Good Friday (Friday, April 18th)
• Victoria Day (Monday, May 19th)
• Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1st)
• Civic Holiday (Monday, August 4th)
• Labour Day (Monday, September 1st)
• Thanksgiving (Monday, October 13th)
• Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25th)
• Boxing Day (Friday, December 26th)

Please note that the hours listed on Google may not be accurate.​

Accepted Waste Items

​​​Acceptable items vary from one waste depot to another. Please refer to the acceptable items list for information on the services available at each waste depot.

​Waste Depots Acceptable Waste Items List​

Operating Procedures for Non-Curbside Residents

Non-curbside residents can dispose of the following items free of charge:​

• Household garbage (up to 6 bags per week)
• Household recycling (unlimited, details Waste Depots Recycling Guidelines )
  
• Household bulk items (up to 3 items per quarter with vouchers)

Garbage bags must not be larger than 30" x 36".
A charge of $2.00 per bag or a minimum of $25 per ½ cubic meter applies for any amount exceeding the weekly limit.

Operating Procedures for Non-Curbside and Curbside Residents

​Chatham-Kent residents can use waste depots to dispose of the following items free of charge:

• Empty propane tanks (20-30 lbs. only)
• Tagged refrigerant units
• Batteries (single-use and vehicle batteries)
  
• Electronic waste (computers, printers, TVs, audio devices, cameras, telephones, etc.)
• Scrap metal (steel, tin, stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, etc.)
• Non-commercial residential rimless tires (up to 10 tires per week)
• Rimless tractor tires (up to 4 per week)
• Leaf and yard waste (in paper bags or emptied at the site)
• Used automotive oils, such as engine oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil (up to 20 litres per week)
• Used oil filters
• Antifreeze liquid (up to 20 litres per week)​
  
• Empty auto oil, antifreeze, and lubricant containers

Note: Each service is not available at every waste depot. Please refer to the acceptable items list.

• Refrigerant units such as fridges, air conditioners, and freezers containing Freon are accepted free of charge if they are tagged by a licensed ODP cardholder, and the proof of refrigerant removal (tag) is left with the operator. In Camden, Howard, and Orford waste depots, untagged units are not accepted. In other depots, untagged refrigerant units are accepted at a charge of $20 per unit.
  
• For used oil, a charge of $0.10 per litre will apply for amounts exceeding 20 litres.
  

Excess Waste/Fees

Residents with excess garbage or building materials can deliver items to the Harwich and Wallaceburg Waste Depots. Cash-only fees ​​apply, with a limit of 5 cubic meters per visit​:

• At Harwich: $2.00 per bag or a minimum of $25 per ½ cubic meter
• At Wallaceburg: Minimum charge of $25 for anything less than 230 kg, with a rate of $111 per ton​ for all excess waste, including building materials and construction waste

The operator on site is responsible for determining the exact fee to be charged and may refuse any or all construction/renovation waste.​

The Ridge Landfill, a privately owned landfill, will also accept excess waste. Fees do apply. 

Need to report a problem at one of our waste depots? Create a Service Request online anytime!