York Region hiking fees for big garbage loads

Residents will pay more if taking more than 100 kilograms to the dump

Newmarkettoday.ca
Sept. 1, 2023
Joseph Quigley

You will soon have to pay more to take large loads to the dump as York Region plans to increase fees at three of its waste transfer stations.

The fees for mixed materials over 100 kilograms or 220 pounds is going from $125 per tonne to $170 per tonne (or $0.125 per kilogram to $0.16 per kilogram). The fee change will apply to waste transfer stations in Richmond Hill, Georgina and Vaughan.

The region said the fee hike is necessary due to inflation, with the fee unchanged since 2019.

“The updated fee is necessary to offset the rising inflationary costs of operating waste depots and supporting the growing population while maintaining the quality of services offered,” the region said in a news release.

The region noted it has recently upgraded waste transfer stations, including an on-site camera feed at the Georgina site to reduce wait times and adding a collection of bicycles and textiles at some locations.

However, the price hike will not impact residents dumping loads of materials 100 kilograms or less, which will retain the flat fee of $10.

“In 2022, most customers using the waste depots were not charged the weight-based fee as they either dropped off free materials separately or their load was 100 kilograms or less,” the region said.

The region charges for bringing garbage, yard waste, or construction materials like drywall to a waste transfer station. Recyclable materials remain free to bring to a waste transfer site if the load is not mixed with garbage and other chargeable items.

You can find information on all waste depots and their services at york.ca/wastedepots.