Garbage and Recycling

Protect What Matters. Be Battery Safe.

Every day, Canadians rely on batteries to power their devices, from smoke detectors and laptops to e-bikes and toys, keeping us connected, moving, and entertained. But with convenience comes responsibility. If not handled or disposed of properly, those same batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can pose a risk to people, property, and the environment.

That's why we, the Town of Prescott, have partnered with Call2Recycle Canada's leading battery collection and recycling organization, and their Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program to launch ‘Protect What Matters. Be Battery Safe.' initiative. Together, we're committed to helping you understand and adopt safe battery handling and disposal to minimize the risk to our workers, facilities, community, and the environment.

Dry cell batteries will be accepted at the following locations:

• Town Hall: 360 Dibble Street West, Prescott (inside main entrance)

• Leo Boivin Community Centre: 444 Prince Street, Prescott (lobby area)

• Alaine Chartrand Community Centre: 900 Sophia Street, Prescott (lobby area)

• Sandra S. Lawn Marina: 191 Water Street East, Prescott (seasonal hours)

Eligible batteries include dry cell batteries weighing 5 kg or less each, including: 

• • Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.)

  • Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries

  • Lithium primary batteries

  • Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries

  • Nickel metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH)

  • Nickel zinc batteries (Ni-Zn)             

  • Small Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries *excluding SK

Learn about various battery types here.

Follow these battery safety tips:

• NEVER throw away batteries in the garbage or blue bins.

• When buying new or replacement batteries, choose reputable, certified brands.

• Always follow manufacturer instructions.

• Only use the battery type (and charger) designed for your device.

• Don’t charge batteries or devices near exits or under your bed or pillows.

• Keep batteries out of direct sunlight or in hot cars.

• Collect batteries in non-metal containers and store them safely.

• Protect battery terminals with tape or in plastic bags before storing or recycling.

• Drop Off at participating Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! locations (at least every 3 months) – visit Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! (RYBC)

For more information on battery safety, visit Recycle Your Batteries, Canada: Battery Safety

COM2 Recycling Solutions Canada presents Electronic Waste Cleanup for residents of the Town of Prescott!

Electronics should never be put in the recycling or garbage. COM2 collects unwanted electronics for free to ensure they are disposed of safely, recycled and kept out of landfill.  

COM2 will be collecting Electronic Waste at the Leo Boivin Community Centre parking lot, located at 444 Prince Street on the following date(s):

• Friday, May 15, 2025 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Protect your privacy: The Town is not responsible for personal information contained on your electronic devices. Clear all personal information from computers, cell phones and other electronics prior to drop-off (wipe your drives/clear your SIM cards).

Items Accepted as Electronic Waste

Items include information technology, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment that have a primary purpose of collecting, storing, processing, presenting or communicating information, including sounds and images, recording or reproducing sounds and images. Batteries supplied with the equipment are also accepted.

Display Devices: Televisions, monitors, E-readers

Telephones & Accessories: Corded and cordless phones (with electrical base stations), telephone answering machines, cell phones, headsets and hands-free accessories

Computers & Accessories: Desktop computers, portable computers (e.g. laptops, tablets, notebooks), keyboards, mice, cables, webcams, hard drives, USB flash drives/sticks etc.

Printing, Copying & Scanning Equipment: Printers, including printer cartridges, scanners, fax machines, photocopiers

Stationary & Portable Audio/Video Systems: Stereos, radios, tuners, turntables, record, cassette players, speakers, amplifiers, receivers, CD, VCR, DVD, Blu-ray, PVR players/recorders, digital media (e.g. MP3) players, docking stations for portable digital players, speakers, audio and/or voice recorders, headphones and microphones (wired and wireless), projectors (e.g. digital, multimedia, video), video game consoles, handheld video game systems, baby monitors and receivers

Other: Cameras (e.g. digital, video, single-use disposable, security), calculators, smart watches, smart glasses, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and components, drones with audio or visual recording equipment, peripherals and cables used to support the function of information technology, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment (e.g. charging equipment, remote controls), parts of information technology, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment sold separately (e.g. hard drives, modems, routers), handheld point-of-sale terminals or devices

Garbage is collected weekly on Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m.

Ensure that your garbage tag is secured to the top of the bag knot.

Tag and Bag Info:

• Ensure the tag is visible and not damaged
• Effective July 1, 2025: $2.25 per tag or $22.50 for a sheet of 10 tags
• Use one tag for each waste bag (no limit)
• Ensure your waste bag is durable and secure, not ripped or overflowing
• Preferred bag size 90 L (Large 30 x 33 in) or a maximum of 135 L (X-Large 31 x 42 in)
• Any colour of bag accepted; Black, clear, white
• Maximum bag weight 44 lbs/20 kg
• Tagged garbage bags placed inside containers will be collected 

How to attach your garbage bag tag:

1. Secure the top of your bag with a twist tie or knot
2. Attach the tag above the knot
3. Ensure the tag has adhesive ends pressed tightly together

Garbage tags may be purchased at the following locations:

• Town Hall, 360 Dibble Street East
• Canadian Tire, 140 Prescott Centre Drive
• Giant Tiger, 936 Edward Street North
• O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer, 150 Prescott Centre Drive
• Esso Mobil, 152 King Street East
• Your Family Dollar, 109 Churchill Road East
• Prescott Smokeshop & Grocery, 108 Park Street East
• Seaway Valley Pharmacy, 254 King Street West
• Dollar Bazaar, 253 King Street West
• Inver Waypoint, 909 Edward Street North
• MacEwen, 965 Edward Street North

Note: Businesses, industries, and institutions are responsible for the disposal of their own solid waste and recycling.

Garbage Collection Safety Tips

• Keep it light. Each garbage bag must not weigh more than 20 kg (44 lb).
• Ensure waste is accessible. Always place waste containers on level ground and as close to the street as possible. In the winter, clear a spot for your garbage that is free of snow and easy for collection workers to see. Never place waste on top of or behind snowbanks. 
• Box broken glass. Broken glass, small mirrors, cracked dishes and knives must be taped in a cardboard box labeled “BROKEN GLASS” before placing at the curb.  
• No needles. Never put needles or other medical waste in your recycling bin or garbage. Safely dispose of these items at a participating pharmacy.
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste. Propane cylinders/tanks, batteries, flurorescent light bulbs/tubes and chemicals should never be disposed of in your recycling bin or garbage. More information can be found under the Hazardous Waste section or here: https://www.leedsgrenville.com/en/government/household-hazardous-waste.aspx
• Park off the street. If possible, park off the street on your waste collection day. If you are unable to move your car off the street, ensure it is at least 1 m (3 ft) away from any waste bags/containers set out for collection. 

Household Hazardous Waste Day is run by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Residents of Leeds and Grenville, including the Town of Prescott can drop off household hazardous waste free of charge. 

More information can be found here: https://www.leedsgrenville.com/en/government/household-hazardous- .aspx

2026 Drop Off Dates Coming Soon!

Saturday July 5, 2025 - 8:30 am to 2:00 pm

• Lombardy Fair Grounds, 6 Kelly Road, Lombardy

Saturday August 16, 2025 - 8:30 am to 2:00 pm

• North Leeds County Patrol Garage, 331 County Road 29, North of Frankville
• South Leeds County Patrol Garage, 2714 Outlet Road (County Road 3), Lansdowne, north of Lansdowne 

Saturday October 11, 2025 - 8:30 am to 2:00 pm

• Spencerville Fair Grounds, Goodin Road Entrance, Spencerville (North end of Fairgrounds)

Accepted Items:

• Pressurized cylinders that held propane, oxygen, helium or other gasses
• Vehicle engine antifreeze/coolant and its containers
• Single use and vehicle batteries
• Empty lubricating oil containers
• Oil filters
• Paints and thinners
• Fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Flammable liquids and gasoline
• Household cleaners
• Pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs and sharps
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Pool chemicals

Not Accepted:

• Electronics, appliances, tires, explosives, PCB contaminated wastes and radioactive wastes will not be accepted
• Commercial and industrial waste will not be accepted

Please Note:

• Bring your waste in its original container; DO NOT MIX IT.
• Waste will only be accepted from residents of Leeds and Grenville, Gananoque and Prescott.
• Waste from other municipalities including the City of Brockville will not be accepted.

For additional questions, please call (613)342-3840, Ext. 2413.

The Town of Prescott does not have a landfill site, and the Ed Yandeau Operations Centre does not accept any type of fill. For disposal needs, residents should contact Waste Management (WM), which serves the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville.

WM
1380 California Avenue, Brockville
Phone: (613) 342-1081

All registered items will be picked up on the third Wednesday of every month in April, July, and October. Items must be registered no later than the Friday before each collection date and placed curbside before 7:00 a.m. To register, please call 613-925-2812 x 6200.

Pick-up dates:

• Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - Register no later than April 9
• Wednesday, July 15, 2026 - Register no later than July 10
• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Register no later than October 8

Green Items $10 per item: Furniture including household items such a lamps, tables, chairs, sofas, dressers, etc.

Orange Items $20 per item: Mattress and box springs.

Blue Items $15 per item: Stoves, washing machines, dryers, furnaces, hot water tanks, microwaves, sinks, bathtubs, water softeners, water heaters, barbecues and any other items deemed eligible.

Red Items $65 per item: All freon supplied household items including fridges, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and any other freon-use items.

White Items (free): Tires and rims, and e-waste: computers, computer accessories, laptops, monitors, stereos, disk players, fax machines, televisions, DVD and VCR players, telephones and all other electronic items deemed eligible.

The yard waste facility is located north of the Ed Yandeau Operations Centre at 950 Sophia Street. It is open to Town of Prescott residents only (proof of residency may be required).

Season Dates:

• Opening: April 14, 2026
• Closing: November 28, 2026

Hours of Operation:

• Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Closed Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Accepted Yard Waste:

Grass clippings, sods, plant remains, wood chips, branches under 6" wide, brush, and leaves.
Plastic bags are not accepted, use paper bags only.

Contractors & Businesses:

Require a pass purchased at the Municipal Building (Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).

• 5-load pass: $75
• Annual unlimited pass: $250

Illegal dumping is enforceable under By-Law #51-90 (maximum fine $5,000).

Recycling is collected weekly on Fridays at 7:00 a.m. as alternating weeks (fibre/paper and mixed containers).

Avoid over-filling your blue box as it results in recyclables littering the street. Use multiple blue boxes. Any bin is acceptable as a container to hold recyclable items.

Questions regarding recycling should be directed to Emterra Environmental at 1-888-597-1541 customercareont@emterra.ca or Circular Materials Prescott.

Recycling Q&A: 

Why aren't we responsible for recycling?

Prescott is no longer responsible for the Blue Box program. Under the Ontario Government’s Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation shifts responsibility for the Blue Box Program to the organizations that produce products and packaging. Under the old system, communities shared the costs.  

Starting July 1, 2023, communities began transitioning their Blue Box programs to this new extended producer responsibility framework. Prescott transitioned on January 1, 2025, with the Blue Box program now being managed by Circular Materials.

Who is Circular Materials?

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers for use as recycled content. Circular Materials is committed to increasing recycling rates across Ontario and ensuring more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment. Learn more at Circular Materials Ontario, or visit the town's page at Circular Materials Prescott.

Who pays for recycling?

The producers of the recyclable materials are responsible for the operation of the Blue Box program which includes its funding. Circular Materials is managing the program and has contracted Emterra Environmental to collect in the Town of Prescott.

Where can I get a Blue Box?

A blue box must be used for recycling collection. To purchase one, please contact Emterra Environmental at customercareont@emterra.ca or 1-888-597-1541 or purchase at your local hardware store.

Why was my recycling not picked up?

If your recycling has not been picked up, these are the most common reasons why:

• Boxboard/cardboard not properly set out (i.e. loose, not bundled, not flattened or too large)
• Incorrect recyclables (i.e. fibre on a container day)
• Non recyclables placed in blue box
• Recyclables hidden behind snowbank or parked vehicle
• Recyclables are frozen in a snowbank
• Not set out before 7:00 a.m.

Avoid over-filling your blue box as it results in recyclables littering the street. Use multiple blue boxes. Any bin is acceptable as a container to hold recyclable items. 

Residents are invited to place ​unwanted, gently used items at the curb for other residents to take for their own use, free of charge. This is a great opportunity to give unwanted items a new home while keeping them out of landfill sites.

Treasure Day takes place on Saturday May 17, 2025, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

How to participate in Treasure Day:

• Place unwanted, gently used items at the curb in front of your home starting at 8:00 am on Saturday
• ALL items (or boxes of items) must be clearly labelled with a FREE sign 
• Unclaimed items must be removed from the curb by 6:00 pm on Saturday evening. If items are left at the curb after Treasure Day is over, it could result in a by-law violation
• Only put out items that are still in good condition for re-use or able to be repaired
• ​ANY ITEM THAT CAN POSE A DANGER to another person must NOT be left at the curb
• Safety equipment such as car seats and helmets should NOT be reused/given away
• Put away items you DO NOT want to give away (such as bicycles and sports nets) to avoid confusion
• Please keep sidewalks and fire hydrants clear

Yard waste is collected on the last Wednesday of each month from April to November. Collection may take several days during bad weather or high volumes. Yard waste must be in paper bags; plastic bags are not accepted.

Natural Christmas trees are collected during the first week of January. Trees must be free of decorations with the cut end facing the curb by 7:00 a.m.

Trees not collected in January can be set out during regular yard waste collection in spring.