Yard waste collection delays in Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Pickering, Scugog and Uxbridge

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham is advising residents of yard waste collection delays in the Town of Ajax, Township of Brock, Municipality of Clarington, City of Pickering, Township of Scugog and Township of Uxbridge. Collection delays are expected to continue on a weekly basis until the last seasonal collection date on Friday, December 17.

Why: There is an industry-wide labour shortage of truck drivers across Canada, which has impacted the Region’s contractors who provide waste collection. This is in addition to other factors causing delays, such as the seasonal increase in yard waste materials set-out in the fall.

Durham’s priority is to provide daily collection of our core services, including blue box recycling, green bin organics and garbage. Please note that collection of these services is extending into the evening hours, often until 7 p.m.

We are making every effort possible to collect yard waste, however, collection may occur the day following the scheduled collection date. For example, if your yard waste, green bin, recycling, and garbage are scheduled for Tuesday, the collection of yard waste may or may not be delayed and take place on Wednesday. Residents are asked to keep their yard waste materials out until they are collected.

We recognize the inconvenience and appreciate the understanding and patience of our residents as we work to find a solution.

We are encouraging residents to sign-up for Service Alerts by downloading the Durham Region Waste App through Google Play or the App Store or by searching for their address using our online calendar tool by visiting durham.ca/waste. You can also use the app to report a missed collection if your recycling, green bin or garbage is not collected by 7 p.m. on collection day.

Collection reminders:

• Set your waste out by 7 a.m. the morning of your collection day. Collection may occur until 7 p.m. and yard waste may even be collected the next day.
  • Containers and bags should not weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each. Items that are too heavy will not be collected.
  • Wrap broken glass and sharp objects in a cardboard box, clearly labelled as “Sharp Objects,” before setting it out beside your garbage for collection.
  • To protect our community and staff, only garbage and green bin materials that is bagged and securely tied will be collected

For more information, please visit durham.ca/waste, email waste@durham.ca, call 1-800-667-5671 or download the Durham Region Waste App.

– 30 –

For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.