- Place single-use and rechargeable batteries in a zipper-style plastic bag (transparent) and leave it beside your recycling bin
- Do not place the battery bag inside your recycling bin
- Must be standard D-cell batteries or smaller. We do not collect lead acid batteries.
- For 9V batteries, tape them to prevent accidental discharge
Special Item Waste Collection
Our curb-side recycling, organics, and garbage collection programs may not be able to meet all your waste disposal needs. Some special items need specific or alternative collection or drop-off to help protect people and the environment.
If you are unsure how to dispose of an item, use our What Goes Where tool.
Batteries
We typically collect single-use batteries once in the spring and once in the fall. Check out the Waste Calendar Collection to find out when.
You can drop off both single-use and rechargeable batteries (weighing less than 1.5 kg) all year-round at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC), located at 196 Lappan’s Ln. Drop off lead acid batteries at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot.
Dispose safely of lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in electronics, vaping products, and power tools. Disposing of these and other types of batteries improperly can cause fires.
- Drop off single-use and rechargeable batteries that are not lead acid and weigh less than 1.5 kg at the KARC all year round.
- Drop off all lead acid, as well as other batteries over 1.5 kg at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot.
- Find a list of drop off locations that accept batteries at rawmaterials or call2recycle.
Electronics
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority in Kingston manages the electronic waste recycling program. Visit their website for more information and to find drop off locations.
Large items, construction and demolition waste
We do not offer curbside pickup for large items and the Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC) does not accept them either.
Consider these three options:
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- Giveaway Days: On Giveaway Days, you can place items in usable condition that you no longer want at the curb for others to take.
- Donate: Consider donating your unwanted items to a local charity. Get in touch with the charity directly to find out what they will accept and how to drop off your items.
- Drop-off: For larger, heavy, or high-volume waste disposal, you must use private transfer stations. Fees will apply. Contact the following privately-run transfer stations to confirm their services and hours.
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- Waste Management of Canada at 62 St. Remy Place, 613-549-7401
- Waste Connections at 1266 McAdoos Lane, 613-548-4428
- Kimco Steel Sales at 1325 John Counter Blvd., 613-544-1822
- E360s at 1709 Westbrook Rd., 613-384-8555
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- Pick-up: You can try to arrange for a private service to pick up your items if you are unable to transport them to a waste transfer station. Many private options are available, and fees will likely apply.
Medication and needles
Important! If you find a needle in a public place, do not touch it or try to pick it up. Contact KFL&A Public Health by phone at 613-548-5860 for assistance.
Medications and needles can be harmful to other people and the environment. Please make sure to dispose of them safely. Most drug stores will take both medications and needles. The collection and disposal of these materials is handled by the Ontario Medication Return Program and the Ontario Sharps Collection Program.
For information on drop-off locations or collection programs please visit the Health Stewards.
Never flush medications or needles down the toilet, never put them in your garbage or recycling, and do not bring them to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre.
Scrap metal
The Kingston Area Recycling Centre accepts small to medium size items, such as:
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- Flatware
- Small metal shelves
- Microwaves
- Toasters
- Portable barbecues
- Damaged bicycles
- Similar small-sized items
We will not accept large scrap metal or appliances.
Many private scrap metal collectors operate in Kingston and may accept your items for free. Check the What Goes Where Tool to learn how to recycle or get rid of your things properly.
Examples of large scrap metal include:
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- Stoves
- Ornamental light posts
- Washers and dryers
- Aluminum siding
Appliances containing refrigerant
Certain appliances like freezers, fridges, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers have refrigerants that need proper collection and special disposal. Check the What Goes Where Tool to learn how to recycle or get rid of your things properly.
Textiles
You can drop off your textiles at Renewal Squared bins all over the city. Review each location below to find the closest one. Learn more about what materials they accept.
Renewal Squared textile drop off bin locations
- INVISTA Centre
- Cataraqui Arena
- Centre 70 Arena
- Woodbine Park
- Kingston Frontenac Public Library (Gore Road)
- Belle Park
- Portsmouth Olympic Harbor
- School Road (Kingston East)
- 1643 County Road 15
- Shannon's Corners Baseball Field
- Slush Puppie Place Parking Lot
- Rideau Heights Community Center
- Jim Beattie Park
- Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC)
- Kingston Memorial Centre
- Lake Ontario Park
- Pierson Park Parking Lot
- Bayridge Park
Tires
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority in Kingston manages tire disposal. Visit their website for more information.
Contact Us
City of Kingston
City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Canada
contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
