Special Events in Waste Management

Compost Giveaway Events

Green Bins and backyard composters will not be available at these events. Purchase new Green Bins, kitchen containers or backyard composters or exchange broken Green Bins and kitchen containers online with free home delivery.

Collected leaf and yard waste is processed into nutrient-rich compost. In the spring, residents are invited to our complimentary compost giveaways. Quantities are first-come, first served and limited to four reusable containers of compost per vehicle.

What should I bring?

• Shovels: residents are responsible for shovelling their own compost.
• Containers: blue boxes, reusable containers, yard waste bags.

Residents are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, to be donated to a local food bank (please check that boxes and cans are not damaged, opened or expired).

Event Dates:

Curbside Giveaway Days

Curbside Giveaway Day events are organized in cooperation with the local municipalities, where residents place unwanted items in good condition—clearly marked FREE—on their curb for anyone to pick up. At the end of the Giveaway Day, residents return unclaimed items to their home.

Please ensure items whether new or used, are safe and meet current regulatory requirements. It is important to only place items that are in good condition. The Region is not responsible for quality of items placed out for the Curbside Giveaway Day.

Event Dates:

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Environment Days

Drop off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal at Environment Days.

Event Dates:

Rules and guidelines

October is Circular Economy Month

The Regional Municipality of Durham is celebrating Circular Economy Month this October. The Circular Innovation Council has extended Waste Reduction Week in Canada beyond the third week of October into Circular Economy Month to educate and excite Canadians about the opportunities and benefits of the circular economy.

The third week of October will continue as Waste Reduction Week (WRW), with daily themes related to specific waste streams and the waste reduction component of a circular economy. The primary goal of the week is to celebrate environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging innovative new ideas and solutions.

Daily Themes:

• Construction Monday
• Textiles Tuesday
• Electronics Wednesday
• Plastics Thursday
• Food Friday
• Share, Reuse, Repair Weekend

Throughout the year, the Region supports residents in their waste reduction efforts by promoting the five “Rs” (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover). These principles guide our programs and services designed to make waste management easier and more sustainable for everyone.

We collect food waste and other organic materials through our Green Bin program. All green bin material is processed using Anaerobic Digestion, a method that produces biogas, renewable natural gas, and digestate, a nutrient rich natural fertilizer.

In addition, we collect leaf and yard waste as well as Christmas trees, all of which are turned into compost. Residents can pick up this compost for free at our spring compost giveaway events.

We also help residents safely dispose of household items through various initiatives:

• Battery Collection: We pick up batteries at the curb twice a year, in the spring and fall. Thanks to our community's participation, we earned a Guinness World Record in 2012 for the most batteries collected in a 24-hour period. Durham earned this distinction by collecting an incredible 11,288 pounds (almost 5,120 kilograms) of batteries.
• Environment Days: These events offer drop-off opportunities for items that can be reused, recycled or safely disposed of.
• Curbside Giveaway Days: Residents can leave unwanted items in good condition at the curb for others to take and reuse.
• Hazardous Waste Drop-off locations: We offer free drop-off sites for household hazardous waste, including paint, solvents, cleaners, batteries, pesticides, fertilizers, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, motor oil and antifreeze. The Oshawa Waste Management Facility operates a paint reuse centre promoting the reuse of paints and stains. Residents can drop off or collect high-quality reusable paints and stains at no cost.

The Region also joined the Circular Innovation Council's Share, Reuse, Repair Hub. This initiative helps keep materials in use for as long as possible by encouraging residents to swap, resell, and donate products they no longer need. Be sure to check the hub for reuse resources and opportunities to extend the life of everyday items.

The Region, together with our residents, is committed to supporting the circular economy and will continue to deliver innovative waste reduction, diversion, and disposal programs to meet the needs of our growing population. The 2022 to 2040 Long-term Waste Management Plan (Waste Plan) is focused on rethinking and reducing the waste we create, managing resources and finding opportunities to create energy from waste.

To learn more about Circular Economy month, visit CircularEconomyMonth.ca.