Hazardous Waste

Items with the corrosive, explosive, flammable and toxic symbols should never be placed in your garbage or recycling, or poured down a drain. Hazardous materials require special handling and disposal, and if not properly managed, can pose a threat to both people and the environment.

Year-round drop off of special waste

The Scotch Line Landfill accepts the following items year-round from residential sources in small quantities:

  • Lighting materials (bulbs, tubes etc.)
  • Oil filters
  • Automotive batteries
  • Household batteries
  • Ink and toner cartridges
  • Empty plastic automotive containers 
  • Empty propane tanks/cylinders

The following can be placed in your Blue Box recycling:

  • Empty aerosol cans
  • Empty, dry paint cans

Recycle your leftover paint

You can drop-off paint at Minden Home Hardware and Haliburton Home Hardware for recycling at no cost. They will accept any brand of latex or oil-based paint during regular operating hours. Quantity limits may apply. This take-back program is operated by producer responsibility organization, Product Care Recycling.

When dropping off your paint, remember:

  • Paint must be in its original container, tightly sealed with the labels affixed.
  • Do not mix different types of paint products together. Our recycling locations can’t accept paint which has been mixed with other products
  • You can bring up to 10 containers of paint (no larger than 25 litres for paint)

Household Hazardous Waste Events

Household Hazardous Waste Events allow you to safely drop off of materials that cannot be disposed of with your regular waste and recycling. 

County of Haliburton residents with a valid Minden Hills, Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al or Highlands East waste disposal card can drop off accepted household hazardous waste at one of the Household Hazardous Waste Days:

Please remain in your vehicle while staff unload your materials for you. You will need to have your Waste Disposal Card in order to attend an event.

2026 Event Dates 

Highlands East event dates coming soon.

Household Hazardous Waste Event Information
Date Time Location
May 23, 2026 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena
May 30, 2026 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Maple Lake Waste Disposal Site

Algonquin Highlands

June 20, 2026 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Haliburton Landfill

Dysart et al

July 25, 2026 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena
August 8, 2026 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oxtongue Lake Waste Disposal Site

Algonquin Highlands 

August 15, 2026 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Harcourt Landfill

Dysart et al

August 29, 2026 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dorset Transfer Station

Algonquin Highlands

September 12, 2026 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

West Guilford Landfill

Dysart et al

September 26, 2026 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena

October 17, 2026 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Maple Lake Waste Disposal Site

Algonquin Highlands

Any containers with fluids (ie, gasoline, oil, paint, etc.) must have secure, proper lids or caps.

  • Aerosol cans (full or partially full)
  • Automotive fluids
  • Cleaners (bleach, oven cleaner, etc.)
  • Fertilizers
  • Finishing products (varnish, glue, etc.)
  • Gasoline 
  • Motor oil (must be capped)
  • Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides
  • Pool and hot tub chemicals
  • Solvents (varsol, paint thinners, etc.)
  • Corrosive materials
  • Flammable materials

  • PCBs
  • Radioactive waste
  • Pathological waste
  • Ammunition (contact the OPP for proper disposal)
  • Biomedical waste
  • Medications - Learn more about the Medications Return Program
  • Needles/sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) - Learn more about the Sharps Collection Program

Due to provincial regulations, these events are for residents only. Hazardous waste is not accepted from businesses and organizations, including builders, camps, charities, contractors, painting companies, places of worship, restaurants, retailers, schools, etc.

These businesses and organizations need to arrange private haulage and processing of hazardous waste.

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