Prices at waste management facilities in Durham set to climb

If you regularly drop off large loads of waste at one of Durham Region’s waste management facilities, expect fees to climb next month. 

Today, the region announced that effective May 1, the minimum user fee for general residential and commercial garbage waste will increase from $5 to $7 per load for loads up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds). 

In a news release, the region also said that the fee will increase from $1 to $1.40 for every eight kilograms greater than 40 kilograms. 

The flat rate for loads weighing 1,000 kilograms or more will increase from $125 to $175 per 1,000 kilograms. 

The region also said fees for fill materials and mixed loads containing fill materials will increase from $250 to $375 per 1,000 kilograms. 

According to the region, this is the first increase in fees at waste management facilities since 2016. The region currently operates facilities in Oshawa, Scugog, Brock, Clarington and Pickering. 

Durham Regional Council approved the fee increases as part of the 2024 budget to maintain adequate service levels while also addressing rising service costs, according to the region. The region says that only loads containing chargeable materials (including mixed loads containing both free and chargeable materials) will be subject to the fee increases. 

Loads that contain bulky white polystyrene, electronic waste, household hazardous waste (a maximum of 50 litres or 25 cans per vehicle), plastic signs and tires (a maximum of 10 tires per vehicle) are still free.