Algonquin Highlands

Hazardous Waste

Help keep hazardous materials out of the landfill - the lakes will thank you.

Every year Canadian families buy 40 to 50 different kinds of flammable, corrosive, and toxic cleaners, pesticides, paints and other products. Thrown in the garbage or dumped down the drain, these materials can poison our lakes, rivers and groundwater supplies.

Bring it in for safe disposal. Every drop counts.

Algonquin Highlands hosts Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events each year, between the May and October. With the exception of the Big Red items listed below, household hazardous waste materials can only be disposed of at HHW events. There is no charge for household hazardous waste brought to an HHW event.

Please remain inside your vehicle at the hazardous waste drop off: event staff will unload your household hazardous waste for you.

Make your household hazardous waste easily accessible: keep hazardous materials separate from other wastes or items in your vehicle.

Dates for the 2026 Household Hazardous Waste events will be posted in early 2026. Please subscribe to news and notices to receive an email when the dates are confirmed.

Assess your health before attending: if you are feeling sick, please do not attend hazardous waste events.

Materials Accepted

Aerosol cans full or partially full
Automotive batteries
Automotive fluids
Paints and stains (full or partially full cans)
Finishing products (varnish, glue, etc.)
Propane cylinders (non-refillable)
Antifreeze
Used motor oil and oil filters
Cleaners (e.g. bleach, oven cleaner)
Solvents (e.g. Varsol, paint thinner, etc.)
Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides
Fertilizers
Pool and hot tub chemicals
Corrosive materials
Flammable materials
Toxic materials
Reactive materials.

Important: Containers you bring with hazardous waste will not be returned to you (e.g. if you bring a gas can full of gas you cannot empty out the gas and take the container home).

Be sure all containers are labeled and sealed.

Materials are accepted from households only. No materials will be accepted from commercial sources including businesses and organizations, builders, camps, charities, contractors, painting companies, places of worship, restaurants, retailers, and schools.

Materials not accepted