What's Changing and Why

Landfills across Ontario are approaching capacity, with an estimated 10 years of landfill space remaining province-wide. Without significant changes, municipalities may face higher costs and environmental impacts from transporting waste longer distances or developing new landfill sites.

Norfolk County does not have its own landfill and relies on a private landfill within Ontario for its disposal needs.

Yes. The 2024 waste audit showed that 42–46% of residential garbage is organic waste that could be diverted through composting. By introducing a green bin program and reducing the garbage bag limit, Norfolk County aims to divert more waste from landfill, extend landfill lifespan, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

If waste continues to grow unchecked, Norfolk may face higher disposal costs, environmental risks, and limited landfill options in the future. 

Yes. The Government of Ontario wants communities to send less waste to landfills and recycle and compost more. Norfolk County’s new waste collection program supports this goal by:

• Starting a green bin program for food and organic waste
• Expanding yard waste collection
• Reducing the number of garbage bags allowed each week 

These changes help protect the environment and follow the province’s direction to make waste management more sustainable.

Norfolk County’s new waste collection program aligns with Ontario’s goals by launching a county-wide green bin program, expanding yard waste collection, reducing the residential garbage limit, and continuing recycling under the producer responsibility framework. 

Possibly. As provincial policies evolve, Norfolk County will continue to adapt its waste management strategies to meet environmental and regulatory goals.

The previous curbside waste collection contract was awarded in 2017. Since then, costs have risen significantly due to inflation, labour shortages, higher vehicle and equipment costs, and market pressures across Ontario. 

The estimated cost for the first full year of the new program is $7.99 million, which is $2.75 million less than originally projected. This will result in a 2.8% increase to the net levy requirement. 

Also see the question above: Is automated collection cost-effective?

The increase will be phased in:

• 2026: $1,016,500 added to the budget (an approximate 0.8% increase) due to the contract starting in September
• 2027: $2,759,100 added (impact is still to be determined, likely less than 2.0%).

Yes. The County will invest $5,029,000 to procure garbage and green bin carts. This cost will be fully funded by investment income from the Legacy Fund, meaning no impact to the tax levy. 

Norfolk County followed a formal and transparent procurement process in accordance with its Purchasing Policy. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was publicly issued and accessible to all interested vendors. While eight companies initially obtained the bid documents, only one proposal was ultimately submitted. Several vendors cited challenges such as: 

• The high cost of setting up operations in Norfolk County 
• Limited resources and rising costs in the waste sector 
• Difficulty competing under current market conditions 

These factors reflect broader industry pressures, including inflation, labour shortages, and equipment costs. Although the County cannot compel vendors to bid, the process ensured fairness, transparency, and value for taxpayers. 

Residential condominium developments may be eligible for curbside waste collection, but they must first submit an application. Norfolk County will review site plans and check that the property meets the technical guidelines. To request an application, email waste@norfolkcounty.ca or call 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0.

Condominiums that include commercial or industrial units, or buildings with multiple residential units (such as apartment‑style buildings), are not eligible.

To qualify, the property must meet all requirements in Norfolk County’s Technical Guidelines for Condominium Waste Collection, including: 

• Roads and driveways must allow collection trucks to move safely without reversing. 
• Waste must be placed at the end of each unit’s own driveway. 
• Shared or common collection points are not allowed. 

Common collection points, where multiple residential units collectively set out their waste, often create safety and access issues for collection trucks. The new guidelines require waste to be set out at individual unit driveways to support safe, consistent collection practices.

If a condominium corporation does not meet the required guidelines, it must use private waste collection. 

Condo boards or property managers can request an application by emailing waste@norfolkcounty.ca or call 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0.

County staff will assess site plans and alignment with technical guidelines to determine if the development is eligible for curbside waste collection services. 

Units in duplexes, triplexes, and buildings with up to six units will each receive their own garbage and organics cart.

The number of garbage and organics carts delivered to multi-unit properties will be determined based on the property’s MPAC classification. For example:

• 332 Typically, a duplex residential structure with two self-contained units
• 333 Residential property with three self-contained units
• 334 Residential property with four self-contained units
• 335 Residential property with five self-contained units
• 336 Residential property with six self-contained units

Units that are not registered with MPAC WILL NOT receive garbage or organics carts.

Read more on the MPAC website.

Buildings with seven or more units must arrange for private collection.

Services vary depending on the type of building. Multi‑residential social housing properties not already using private waste collection services will need to coordinate private collection arrangements before September 29, 2026.

Social housing units with individual driveways on municipal streets may use curb-side collection if they follow Norfolk County’s residential waste rules. Social housing units with internal private roadways must meet Norfolk County’s Technical Guidelines for Condominium Waste Collection Services to be eligible for curbside waste collection services.