Waste Management
Oxford County manages a leading Waste Management program, consistently reaching top rankings for waste diversion in its class among Ontario municipalities. We collect garbage and recycling from roughly 26,000 households across its six participating municipalities, co-collected in the same truck.
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What's new
Changes to garbage and recycling collection, and the launch of a green program for organic waste, begin in 2026. Watch for updates at www.speakup.oxfordcounty.ca/new-waste-collection
The first issue outlines several key changes coming in 2026, including the rollout of green bin collection and a shift to six-day waste collection in South-West Oxford and Woodstock. It also highlights the transition to a new province-wide blue box program for all Oxford County residents, and introduces a County-led curbside recycling program for businesses and institutions not included in the new provincial system.
Residents are encouraged to share their feedback on the newsletter for a chance to win 30 bag tags. To enter, simply scan the QR code found in your copy of the newsletter.
When responsibility for providing recycling services shifts to Circular Materials under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act on January 1, 2026, many small businesses, commercial and institutional properties, and not-for-profit/public sector organizations that are part of the current municipal program will not be eligible for recycling pick-up under the new provincial program.
Oxford County Council is implementing a curbside recycling collection program for this sector. Businesses and other organizations are invited to complete an online registration form to confirm their interest in this service. There is no user fee for approved participants to take part in this program, which would begin the week of January 5, 2026, in all eight area municipalities. More
Garbage bag tag fees in Oxford County will increase from $2.00 a bag to $3.00 effective January 1, 2026. Bag tags have not increased in price since 2014. Since 2021, population growth, fuel and other inflationary costs, and new regulatory requirements have increased waste collection costs at a higher rate than income generated by bag tag fees.
Oxford County uses a “user pay” system in which all residents pay according to how much waste they produce. This means the County’s garbage collection and disposal costs are 100% funded from bag tags, with budget surpluses or deficits moving into a waste management reserve fund each year. If the curbside garbage collection program were to be funded entirely through taxation, it would increase Oxford County’s general tax levy by almost $5.0 million (5.5% increase).
Oxford County’s waste management programs and facilities continue to operate in compliance with regulatory requirements. The County achieved an overall landfill waste diversion rate for residential and ICI (Industrial, Commercial and Institutional) waste of approximately 45% in 2023. The County’s municipal landfill has an estimated remaining service life of approximately 27 to 32 years.
Customer Service
Let us know about your Waste Management service issue: your feedback helps us serve you better. If your concern is an emergency, please call 1-800-755-0394.