Restricted Landfill Operations in Effect

Additional safety measures are being implemented at landfills throughout Highlands East in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bulk material limits

Effective Wednesday, May 6, 2020 the municipality will be implementing a limit on the amount of bulk material items residents can dispose of at all landfill sites, per visit.

The items included and their limits are provided below:

• Tires: 4 per visit
• Appliances: 1 per visit (including fridges, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc.)
• Furniture: 1 per visit (couches, tables, etc.)
• Mattresses and/or Box Springs: 1 each per visit

Safety guidelines

We would like to remind all residents to please comply with the following guidelines when attending waste disposal sites in Highlands East:

1. Do not approach landfill attendants for assistance with depositing of your waste items;
2. Do not bring passengers unless absolutely necessary;
3. Do not enter landfill attendants shelter or restroom facility;
4. Exit your vehicle to unload waste at the appropriate location only;
5. All communication regarding disposal of waste with landfill attendant(s) must be done through the window of your vehicle;
6. When you are outside your vehicle please be mindful of all other visitors and practice physical distancing (minimum 2 metres).

Increased landfill use is a safety concern

The Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act by the Ontario government continues to be in effect for the province of Ontario. These actions are based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and because of this, Highlands East is implementing these additional operational changes at our landfill facilities. 

Staff serve a high volume of residents each day, which can create exposure risks to them and for those they come into contact with. We have seen a steady increase in the amount of site traffic into the landfill sites. Residents are attending waste sites in higher volumes than is typical for this time of year.

Highlands East urges residents to attend the landfill sites, only when necessary.  We hope to continue slowing the spread of the virus, practice the appropriate physical distancing and to keep our community safe.