Tag Archives: solid waste

Reusable container amendment to Single-Use Items Bylaw

On March 25, 2025, Council approved changes to the Single Use Items Bylaw. Starting September 1, 2025, businesses in Guelph must accept customers’ reusable containers for food orders, whether the food is eaten on-site or taken away. Alternatively, businesses can provide their own reusable containers instead. Key Points:  This rule does not apply to food served through drive-through windows or delivered. A “reusable food container” is a durable container that can be washed, sanitized, and reused many times. Exemptions: Exemption from this bylaw applies to the following: Charitable or non-profit organizations Hospitals and community care facilities Special events Self-service restaurants such as buffets, salad bars, and all-you-can-eat restaurants Food-service businesses that have written their own reusable-container policy may outline specific and limited conditions under which… Continue reading Reusable container amendment to Single-Use Items Bylaw

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Public waste drop-off

Change to hours of operation Effective April 28, 2025, the public waste drop-off site will no longer be open on Mondays. Hours of operation remain the same Tuesday – Saturday.  The public waste drop-off is open to Guelph residents for garbage, household hazardous waste, yard waste and recyclables. For more information visit Waste Resource Innovation Centre – City of Guelph.   Contact information Solid Waste Resources 519-767-0598 TTY: 519-826-9771 [email protected] 

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Keep Mattresses out of The Landfill

Recycling Mattresses Services at Waste Resource Innovation Centre Starting Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the City of Guelph is launching a Mattress Recycling Program. This initiative aims to reduce landfill waste by recycling as much material as possible from discarded mattresses. Key Highlights: Launch date: April 2, 2025 Annual Impact: Diverting approximately 3,000 mattresses (65,000 kg) from the landfill each year Environmental Benefit: Mattresses can take up to 120 years to decompose due to materials like foam, springs, and fabric. Recycling helps mitigate this long-term environmental impact. Collection Points: Every mattress dropped off at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre or picked up from the curb from April 2 onwards will be collected and recycled. Commitment to Sustainability: As outlined in Guelph’s Waste Management Master Plan, the… Continue reading Keep Mattresses out of The Landfill

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City of Guelph receives $500,000 from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to support circular food economy

FCM Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant will help reduce food waste in Guelph Guelph, Ont., March 10, 2025 – Guelph has received a $500,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to reduce food waste. The funding will support three pilot programs: Food Redistribution: Starting this month, this project will capture surplus edible food and redistribute it to charity organizations using the B12Give app. Organics Collection: This ongoing project expands a cooperative model for organics collection in the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) sector to divert food waste from landfills. Energy Generation: This project explores the feasibility of generating energy from organics processing through anaerobic digestion. Implementation This funding will offer the City of Guelph the tools to implement a… Continue reading City of Guelph receives $500,000 from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to support circular food economy

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Single-use items reduction strategy: phase two now in effect

Shopping sustainably in Guelph just got easier! On March 1, 2025, changes to Guelph’s Single-Use Items By-law (2024) – 20938 came into effect. When visiting applicable businesses and retailers in Guelph, you should be aware of the following: You can bring a clean reusable drink cup for in-store beverage orders. Single-use accessory food ware items will only be available by request or at self-serve stations (e.g., beverage cup sleeves and trays, condiments, utensils, and stir sticks; straws are exempt). Paper shopping bags must contain 40% post-consumer recycled content. These changes are part of Phase 2 of Guelph’s Single-Use Items Reduction Strategy, which is included in the Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP). During the development of Phase 2, the City consulted with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health… Continue reading Single-use items reduction strategy: phase two now in effect

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The City of Guelph is recruiting for the Downtown Solid Waste User Fee Working Group

The City of Guelph is recruiting Downtown property owners and managers, businesses and institutions, and organizations with potential interest in coordinating waste management to join the Downtown Solid Waste User Fee Working Group. The group will collaborate with City staff throughout 2025 to: Help plan a new downtown solid waste user fee program in 2026 and beyond. Explore options and impacts of various programs. Provide feedback to inform the next steps for waste services. How to Get Involved City staff will be going door to door this February to speak with businesses, understand their needs and recruit those interested to join the working group. You can also get involved by: Visiting Have Your Say to submit an application. Contacting Robertson Reid at 519-822-1260×2104 or [email protected]… Continue reading The City of Guelph is recruiting for the Downtown Solid Waste User Fee Working Group

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Blue box recycling collection in Guelph to transition to Waste Management Corporation of Canada in January 2025

Curbside collection will be maintained Guelph, Ont., October 21, 2024 – Starting January 1, 2025, Waste Management Corporation of Canada (WM) will be responsible for collecting blue box recycling including blue carts in Guelph. The City of Guelph will still collect garbage, organics, and yard waste as usual. WM has confirmed to the City that it plans to keep the collection days and carts for recycling the same, but pick-up times for recyclables might change. The City will continue to accept residents and businesses’ recycling at the public drop-off area of the Waste Resource Innovation Centre at 110 Dunlop Drive in 2025. Prior to the transition, WM will launch a customer service phone line, email, and customer service website with a chat feature to assist… Continue reading Blue box recycling collection in Guelph to transition to Waste Management Corporation of Canada in January 2025

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Participate in Circular Economy Month events!

The City of Guelph with Guelph Tool Library are delivering opportunities to participate in Circular Economy Month Guelph, Ont., October 1, 2024 – This October, the City of Guelph is again participating in the nationwide campaign, Circular Economy Month, to educate and inspire action toward reducing waste and diverting materials from landfills. By minimizing single-use items and maximizing repair and reuse efforts, materials are being used for as long as possible before disposal. Circular Economy Month also encourages communities to promote environmental sustainability and positive climate change actions, like repairing items to extend their lifespan!  The City of Guelph is proud to participate in these initiatives, partnering with local organizations such as the Guelph Tool Library to host a variety of activities and events throughout… Continue reading Participate in Circular Economy Month events!

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