EG's 2024 Waste calendar is here! Visit the Collection Schedule page for details.

Christmas Tree Collection

Christmas tree collection takes place on your collection day from January 5 to 11, 2025. Please remove all decorations, nails, tree stands, and plastic tree bags. Please ensure that trees are easily accessible, crews will not dig or climb a snow bank to retrieve a tree.

Garbage Collection

Garbage is collected every other week on your scheduled collection day. To learn when your collection day is, please visit the Collection Schedule page.

Place garbage, green bins, blue boxes and yard waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled day, and no earlier than 8 p.m. the night before.

Please be advised that collection times may vary and are subject to change without notification. To check the status of today's collection, please visit Green for Life (GFL)'s alert page.

Collection Limits

Residents can place up to two bags/items out for collection on their scheduled collection day. Any additional waste over the two bag/item limit requires a collection tag.

If you have concerns regarding collection, please contact Green for Life (GFL) by email or calling. 

Weight Limit

The maximum weight limit for collection materials is 22kg (50lbs) per bag or bin.

Collection Tags

Collection tags allow you to set out additional garbage or bulky items over the two-item limit on your scheduled collection day. One tag per additional item is required. Follow the chart below for tips on how to properly display collection tags: 

How to display Collection Tags
On a BagOn a Garbage CanBulky Items 
  • Wrap the collection tag around the neck of the garbage bag, folding it so both ends of the tag stick together.
  • Do not use a collection tag to seal your garbage bag. Be sure to tie your garbage bag closed first.
  • Place the collection tag around the neck of the top bag in your garbage can, not on the garbage can or the lid.

 

 

 
  • Place the collection tag in a clearly visible spot on any bulky item (such as the front of furniture or mattresses).

 

 

 

Collection tags are sold in quantities of five, do not expire, and are non-refundable. To purchase collection tags, please visit Customer Service located inside of the Civic Centre. Collection tags are not required for yard waste, blue box, green bin or large metal items (White Goods). 

Acceptable Containers

 

Acceptable Waste Collection Containers
Metal or Plastic Garbage Cans Plastic Garbage Bags 
  • Must have two handles and a secure lid 
  • Do not use ties/bungee cords to secure lids
  • Maximum size 25 gallons/94 litres and 32 gallons/121 litres
  • Must be securely tied
  • No loose grocery/kitchen catcher bags
  • Do not place sharp objects inside bags
  • Maximum size 76cm (30 inches) by 122cm (48 inches)

Blue Box Recycling

Blue box collection takes place every week on your scheduled collection day. To learn when your collection day is, please visit the Collection Schedule page.

Weight Limit

The maximum weight limit for blue bins is 22kg (50lbs) per bin.

Recycling Reminders
  • All blue box materials must be placed in bins that are between 12 and 22 galloons in size.
  • Blue bins or containers covered with lids or nets will not be collected.
  • Plastic bags are not recyclable and should not be placed in your blue bin.

What goes in the Blue Box?

Not sure what if your items are blue bin approved? Visit the What Goes Where page to search how to properly recycle your items.

Purchasing Blue Bins

Residents can purchase blue bins by visiting Customer Service, located inside of the Civic Centre during regular business hours. 

Green Bin Collection

Green bin collection takes place every week on your scheduled collection day. To learn when your collection day is, please visit the Collection Schedule page.

Green bin material must be bagged and tied using compostable or paper bags. Please ensure that organic waste material is not placed in black garbage bags as it will not be collected.

Weight Limit

The maximum weight limit for green bins is 22kg (50lbs) per bin.

What goes in the Green Bin?

For more information on what goes in the green bin, please visit page 5 in the Collection Calendar or visit the What Goes Where page to search how to properly recycle your items.

Purchasing Green Bins 

Residents can purchase green bins, or kitchen catchers by visiting Customer Service, located inside of the Civic Centre during regular business hours. 

Grass Clippings Collection

In East Gwillimbury, grass clippings are not collected at the curb with waste collection or York Region waste centres. Residents are asked to consider grasscycling (recycling grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn after mowing) at home to keep your lawn healthy during the summer. Limited quantities of grass clippings can be dropped off at the Bloomington Road Yard Waste Depot located at 1351 Bloomington Road, Richmond Hill. Fees apply and are subject to change.

  •  1 yard or 9 paper bags is $10
  •  More than 1 yard $65/tonne

Here are some tips to keep in mind when grasscycling:

  • Lawnmower blades must be sharp. Dull blades can cause grass to become discoloured, which may lead to disease on your lawn
  • Grass clippings retain water and help reduce the need to water your lawn
  • Saves time on having to dispose of your grass clippings
  • Grass clippings can act as a natural fertilizer for your lawn

Download the Recycle Coach App, to receive updates on collection schedule and disposal information.

Yard Waste Collection

Yard waste collection takes place every other week on your scheduled collection day from April to November. To learn when your collection day is, please visit the Collection Schedule page.

Yard waste containers 

Yard waste must be placed in paper yard waste bags or rigid open top containers (with handles) that are labelled with yellow yard waste stickers. Stickers are available for pick-up at Customer Service inside of the Civic Centre.

Weight Limit

The maximum weight limit for yard waste is 22kg (50lbs) per bin or bag.

Acceptable Yard Waste Materials

Leaves, garden plants, shrubs, weeds, branches and flowers can all be placed out for collection. Branches must be bundled in groups that are no larger than 10 cm (4") in diameter, using twine.

For more information on yard waste collection, please visit page 7 in the Collection Calendar or visit the What Goes Where page to search how to properly dispose your items.

Unacceptable Yard Waste Materials

Materials that should not be placed with yard waste, include kitchen scraps, grass clippings, rocks, dirt, sod, tree stumps, painted or treated wood, animal droppings, flower pots/trays, and branches larger than 10 cm (4") in diameter.

Grass clippings cannot be collected. Residents are asked to consider grasscycling! Leave grass clippings on the lawn to help keep moisture in the grass and reduce the need for fertilizer.

Yard Waste Drop-off

Yard waste material can be dropped off at select York Region waste depots for disposal (fees apply). For more information, including a list of accepted material, visit York Region's website.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste (HMW) is anything in your home that is corrosive, explosive, flammable or poisonous and is no longer needed. Examples of HMW include aerosol cans, batteries, cleaning products, and propane cylinders/tanks. HMW should not be placed in the garbage or blue box for disposal. To properly dispose of these items, please visit a York Region Waste Depot. 

Textile Collection

Residents can visit the Diabetes Canada Donation Box, located at the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex in the east parking lot to drop-off any unwanted clothing or used textiles. Items can be donated in any condition, including adult and children's clothing and footwear, undergarments, towels, pillows, and curtains.

For more information on what items can be left in the donation bin, visit Diabetes Canada's website.

Metal Item Recycling and Bulky Item Pick-up

Large Metal Items

Large metal items (White Goods) such as appliances, barbecues (no propane tanks), bed frames, furnaces, hot water heaters, metal bathtubs, storage sheds and bicycles must be recycled. Contact Green for Life (GFL) at 1-866-421-5625 or by email to arrange for a special curbside collection.

NOTE: For safety, please remove doors from fridges, freezers and ovens. If a special collection is not booked through GFL, metal items will not be collected. Metal appliances and scrap metal can also be dropped off at select York Region Depots (fees apply).

Bulky Items (Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses and Carpeting)

Bulky items may be placed curbside for pick-up on your regular bi-weekly garbage collection day. Please break down or separate large/heavy items, if possible. Please note, that the tank and bowl must be separated on two-piece toilets to ensure collection. Bundle small loose pieces. Tie carpeting and linoleum in rolls measuring no longer than 1.2 metres (4 ft) and weighing less than 20 kilograms (44 lbs).

Please note, items that are over the two bag/item waste collection limit require a collection tag. 

Construction or Demolition Waste

Please take these materials to one of the York Region Community Environmental Centres. Visit page 3 in EG's Collection Calendar for locations and hours of operation. Good quality materials may also be donated and dropped off at the Habitat for Humanity Restore located in Newmarket.

General Information

Damaged or Broken Bins

Broken or damaged Town issued green or blue bins will be replaced free of charge by Green for Life (GFL). To schedule bin replacement, contact GFL by email or by calling 1-866-421-5625.

Missed Waste Collection

For missed waste collection inquires, please contact GFL by email, by calling 1-866-421-5625 or completing the Report a Missed Pickup Form.

You may also track the status of your collection, by visiting GFL's alert page.

Who to Call

Town of East Gwillimbury Customer Service

Contact EG's Customer Service Team for general waste collection inquires, questions about purchasing collection tags and green or blue bins by email or calling 905-478-4282.

Green for Life (GFL)

Contact GFL to report missed collection, broken or damaged bin replacement, or to schedule a metal item pick-up by email or calling 1-866-421-5625.