Skip to main content Skip to footer

Public Drop Off (Windsor)

Depot Policies: Prior to visiting the Public Drop Off Depot (Windsor) please ensure that you are familiar with the site’s policies (double-axle trailers, businesses, children, pets, tarping loads, etc.). 

The Public Drop Off Depot is a great place to drop off many different types of materials, as well as purchase Garden Gold Compost. There is a cost to drop off some materials, while other materials are free to drop off. The depot is open to both residents and businesses.

Most of the materials dropped off at the depot are recycled and the yard waste is turned into Garden Gold Compost, which is available for purchase most of the year!

Hours of Operation

2024 Summer Hours / Mon., Apr. 1, 2024 – Sat., Nov. 30, 2024

  • Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • *Winter hours restart on December 2, 2024.

2024 Holiday Schedule

  • New Year's Day (Jan. 1st, 2024) - closed.
  • Family Day (Feb. 19th) - closed.
  • Good Friday (Mar. 29th) - closed.
  • Easter Monday (Apr. 1st) - closed.
  • Victoria Day (May 20th) - closed.
  • Canada Day (July 1st) - closed.
  • Civic Holiday (Aug. 5th) - closed.
  • Labour Day (Sept. 2nd) - closed.
  • National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sept. 30th) / OPEN.
  • Thanksgiving Day (Oct. 14th) - closed.
  • Remembrance Day (Nov. 11th) - OPEN.
  • Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) - closed.
  • Christmas Day (Dec. 25th) - closed.
  • Boxing Day (Dec. 26th) - closed.
  • New Years' Eve (Dec. 31st) - OPEN
  • New Year's Day (Jan. 1, 2025) - closed.

Material Fees & Frees

At the Public Drop Off Depot some materials are free to drop off and some materials will be charged a fee ($). Please check the chart below for more information. 

Depot Fee Schedule

Please refer to the current Depot Fee Schedule for materials and rates. Note: Rates are subject to change without notice.

Listed below are the payments methods currently accepted at the Depot.

  • Cash / Debit
  • Business Account
  • Amex
  • MasterCard
  • VISA
  • Drawdown (For Business Customers): Drawdown Account constitutes payment in advance. Payment is credited to your account and tipping fees are deducted after each use.
  • Apply For A Business Account: Businesses are welcome to apply for a business account. 

Accepted Materials At The Public Drop Off Depot

Please refer to the list below for more information on accepted materials. 

Residents can drop off old appliances for recycling (white goods) e.g. fridges, freezers, stoves, microwave ovens, etc. Drop off is free, however, items with a compressor will be assessed a charge for the removal of CFC’s as required by the Ministry of the Environment. See payment chart (at right) for cost.

The EWSWA has partnered with Bike Windsor-Essex to collect and recycle bikes in our region. The depot includes a ‘bike drop off area’ for residents to drop off bicycles for recycling – free of charge.

Bikes can also be drop off directly at Bike Windsor-Essex: 628 Monmouth Rd. in Windsor, call 226-216-5200 for more information.

Drop-off any of the following in the electronics bin at the Public Drop Off Depot, free of charge - (Note: the electronics bin is located on the composting pad at the depot):

  • Computers (Desktops, laptops, tablets)
  • Printers (desktop and floor-standing)
  • Printer cartridges
  • Video gaming devices
  • Telephones, including cellular phones
  • Display devices (TV’s, LCD and CRT monitors)
  • Radios and stereos, including after-market vehicle stereos
  • Headphones
  • Speakers
  • Cameras, including security cameras
  • Video recorders
  • Drones with audio or visual recording equipment
  • Peripherals and cables used to support the function of information technology, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment, including charging equipment
  • Parts of information technology, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment sold separately, such as hard drives
  • Handheld point-of-sale terminals or devices
  • Electronic musical instruments
  • Audio recording equipment

List of Unaccepted Electronic Items

  • ITT/AV Equipment weighing more than 250 kg
  • Small and large appliances
  • Power tools
  • Electric vehicles (scooters, e-bikes)
  • Children’s toys
  • Textiles, clothing, furniture or any other upholstered or stuffed articles containing electronic components

There are other companies that will accept electronics, the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority can help you find a location. 

You can purchase Garden Gold Compost at the Public Drop Off Depot. 

  1. Pre-bagged Garden Gold
  2. Bag Your Own
  3. Bulk Loads / mechanical loading provided
  4. DELIVERY: Delivery is available for large quantities of compost. Delivery is available by appointment only.

Many everyday household chemical products are considered ‘toxic’ to our local environment. It is extremely important for all homeowners to remember that once they are finished with a household chemical product, the “leftover or unused portion” should be dropped off for proper disposal at the one of the EWSWA depots.

Residents can drop off the following products – free of charge. Please note, this list is not comprehensive – this is just a sample of the types of products accepted. For more information regarding household chemical waste please refer to the Hazardous Waste section of the website.

  • Household Cleaners
  • Car Care Products
  • Pool Chemicals
  • Propane Tanks
  • Gasoline
  • Paints, stains, varnishes

There are designated bins available at the Public Drop Off Depot for items that are considered recyclable. Residents and businesses can drop-off the following recyclable materials free of charge.

Scrap metal items (i.e. swing sets, barbeques, etc.) can be dropped off free of charge. Look for the designated scrap metal bin at the depot.

Asphalt shingles are a common roofing material and can be recycled due to their asphalt content. When properly disposed of (separated) shingles can be transformed into asphalt pavement for streets and highways. Charges apply.

ALL sod will be inspected by our staff and be charged according to findings:

  • Clean Sod (typically has no dirt and is cut by a sod cutter) will be charged at the 'grass' rate.
  • Rejected sod (typically cut by a shovel, depth of sod is uneven, has excess dirt/clay and can even have plastic, rocks, etc.) will be charged at the 'garbage' rate.

Depending on the size of the stump (diameter and length) will determine if it is accepted, and the cost.

  • Stumps (under 18" in diameter, less than 48" long) - accepted as yard waste – Free
  • Stumps (over 18" in diameter, but less than 36" in diameter, less than 48" long) - accepted as garbage – and will be charge at the garbage rate 
  • Stumps (over 36" in diameter, longer than 48") – not accepted

Tipping fee schedule for tires is below:

  • Tires (Car, SUV & Light Pick-up Truck – FREE (10 per vehicle, per day)

Parameters

  • 10 tires (car, SUV, & Light Pick-up Truck) per vehicle, per day are FREE.
  • Both tires with AND without rims are currently accepted.
  • Air has to be removed from tire - if possible; however, mandatory air removal for a split rim.
  • For loose tires without rims, tubes need to be removed and disposed of as garbage

Excluded are bicycle tire and airplane tires.

There are other companies/sites that will accept tires, the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority can help you find a location. 

Wood Pallets are accepted at the Public Drop Off Depot but will be charged at the current garbage rate. 

EWSWA receives more than 20,000 tonnes of grass, leaves and other yard waste each year. These organic materials are processed, shredded, screened and cured into nutrient-rich compost. Residents and businesses can drop-off:

  • Grass clippings (fees apply – link to fees)
  • Leaves
  • Tree Stumps (restrictions apply – link to fees)
  • Plants, flowers, and garden waste
  • Sod (link to chart for restrictions)

Anything not accepted on the Yard Waste Pad is considered garbage and will be charged the garbage rate.

Not accepted on the Yard Waste Pad:

  • Rocks, dirt, or animal droppings
  • Food waste
  • Painted or treated wood
  • Plastic bags, garden hoses, or other non-organic materials

Subscribe to EWSWA's eNewsletter

For information on new programs, events, sales, as well as great waste reduction tips!

Sign Up for EWSWA's Newsfeed

Real time updates for service/collection delays and any other important news.

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.