What are the City of Ottawa rules for disposing of construction waste?

Before a renovation cleanup starts, it is worth checking the City of Ottawa's current waste rules, because renovation debris is handled differently from everyday household garbage. Accepted materials and rules can change, so check with the City before you load a truck or put anything at the curb — including what regular curbside collection will and will not take.

Where and How to Dispose of Construction Waste in Ottawa

The City's Trail Road landfill is the main City disposal site. It does not accept asbestos, hazardous waste, liquid waste or commercial garbage, and fridges, freezers and air conditioners need their refrigerant removed and a tag attached before they can be dropped off. Hours and accepted materials can change, so check with the City before making the trip.

If you rent a bin and it will sit on the street, boulevard, sidewalk or a public laneway, the City requires a Temporary Construction-related Encroachment (TCE) permit — $101 for 10 working days or less, $998 for longer or any renewal, plus a daily space-rental charge — and asks for at least 10 business days to process it. The end of a driveway near the street can also be City land, so check before the bin arrives, and agree in writing who is getting the permit.

Separating debris as you go usually makes disposal easier. Keep clean wood, metal, concrete, brick and stone, and drywall apart from mixed waste where you have room, because clean, separated materials can often be recycled rather than landfilled, and scrap metal can sometimes go to a scrap yard. Ask any facility you plan to use what it accepts and how it wants loads sorted.

Hazardous materials need separate handling. Paint, solvents, adhesives and chemical containers should never go in a regular bin or down a drain; check the City's household hazardous waste options for residential quantities. Suspected asbestos is a different matter entirely: it never goes in a regular bin (Ontario Reg. 347 has its own sealed-container transport rules), so it is a job for an abatement contractor, and the material should be tested before any cleanup starts.

Many post-construction cleaning companies offer debris removal and disposal as part of a cleanup, handling the sorting, hauling and disposal for you. Ask whether hauling and disposal fees are included or billed separately, and get itemized written quotes so you can compare. You can find cleaning companies that handle complete post-construction cleanup, including debris removal, through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• 613Bins
• RenoMotion Inc.
• ALM Construction & Landscaping Inc.
• L.L. Renovation
• The Fixer