Click here to find more information on how to purchase a rain barrel.
Backyard composters
West Grey Municipality is now selling backyard composters! These are available for purchase at the Municipal office. The composters are $55, payable by cash, cheque or debit.
Backyard composting is a simple and effective way to manage food waste at home. Managing food and organic waste materials in a backyard unit is the most cost-effective method for organic waste materials and you get a great nutrient rich material to use on your lawn and in your garden.
As a rural community, West Grey residents have a close connection to nature and agriculture, and by leveraging our rural values we can make a positive impact on our waste management and preserve the finite capacity of our landfill sites.
For more information on how to use your composter, please click here.
Rain barrels
Rain barrels and accessories now available
The municipality is pleased to offer rain barrels for purchase. Items must be preordered and the next pickup date is June 27, 2024 at the Durham Waste Site (590 Park Street, Durham) from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To order, click here.
You can use rain barrels for household needs, such as:- Watering your lawn, plants and garden.
- Washing your car.
- Cleaning outdoor furniture.
- Washing garden tools and containers.
- Face the overflow hose, found at the bottom of the barrel, away from your home to prevent water pooling at your home foundation.
- Place the barrel on a flat surface when in use and when watering plants.
- Place a heavy object on the side of the debris screen so that the barrel stays secured when exposed to high winds.
- Drain all the water from your barrel, flip and let dry.
- Clean debris and buildup from your rain barrel before storing it for the winter. Bacteria can build, causing unpleasant odours and dirty water.
- Store your barrel upside down.
- Drain and disconnect the hose and store it indoors or cover it with a tarp.
- Attach a longer downspout piece or use a flexible downspout extension so that melting water is directed away from your foundation when in use during new warm weather.
Textile recycling
Help us divert waste from the landfill by donating/recycling your old textiles.
Textiles include clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains. Include items that are worn, torn or stained.
For more information on where textile bins are located, please visit nactr.ca
Leaf and yard waste
How to manage yard waste on your property:
Leaves and grass clippings can be mulched and left on the lawn to feed valuable nutrients and minerals back into the soil. Larger quantities can be composted in a pile or composter. Keeping some leaves on your lawn and in your garden can be beneficial to hardy vegetables and pollinators. There are many ways to build your compost bin and information on successful home composting online. Either way, you can return valuable minerals and nutrients to your yard and garden and not have all the work of bagging, bundling and loading yard waste.
Fall leaf and yard waste collection:
Fall leaf and yard waste collection usually takes place in November in the urban areas of West Grey. Watch for notifications announcing the scheduled day each year.
Lead and yard waste collection takes place in Ayton, Durham, Neustadt and Elmwood (West Grey side only, East of Main Street).
How to set your items out for successful collection:
- Waste must be at the roadside no later than 7 a.m.
- Acceptable materials: leaves, green garden clippings, pumpkins (without candles or decorations)
- Use craft paper biodegradable yard waste bags
- Brush bundles: tie securely with string or twine (no wire or duct tape) 1m length maximum length
- Brush must be less than 10cm in diameter
- Maximum bag or bundle weight: 30 pounds (13.6 kg)
- There is no limit on the number of bags or bundles that can be set out
Items that will not be collected:
- Bags or bundles that do not meet the above criteria
- Yard waste in plastic bags
- Loose leaves, brush or garden waste
- Treated wood, contaminated yard waste, soil, sand and stones
- Items set out after crews have collected in any given area
If you miss the one-day collection you can bring items to the Durham or Bentinck landfills during regular operating hours free of charge.
Agricultural bale wrap and twine
Agricultural waste (for bale wrap or twine, please contact www.switchenergycorp.com at 519-524-0193 or dnott@switchenergycorp.com)