Don’t let your holidays go to waste 2025

Simple recycling tips to make your holidays environmentally friendly

Holiday gift wrap and excess packaging can significantly impact the environment. Oxford County residents can make a difference by choosing products with minimal packaging and gift wrap that are easily recyclable.

Follow these simple steps for recycling during the holiday season:

• Remove all tape, plastic film, twist ties, and other objects from cardboard packaging.
• Flatten and bundle cardboard boxes no larger than 75 x 75 x 20 centimetres.
• Recycle wrapping paper, but discard foil-based wrapping paper in the garbage.
• Remove all ribbons and bows, and consider saving and reusing them next year.
• Dispose of Christmas lights, battery-powered toys, and clear plastic film in the garbage after removing any batteries.
• Drop off used batteries for free at one of Oxford County's hazardous waste depots: the Oxford County Waste Management Facility, the Woodstock EnviroDepot, and all City facilities.
• Recycle bulky Styrofoam, often found in larger gifts, for free at the Oxford County Waste Management Facility, the Tillsonburg Transfer Station, or the Woodstock EnviroDepot.

Holiday collection changes

During the holidays, residences and businesses in Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock (north of Braemar Sideroad), Ingersoll, South-West Oxford, Zorra, and Tillsonburg will have regularly scheduled collections.

Adjusted collection dates in the Townships of Norwich and East Zorra-Tavistock (south of Braemar Sideroad)

Woodstock Residents should refer to the City website https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/waste for holiday curbside collection information. Details on six-day collection cycles and green bin pickup starting in 2026 can be found in the Wasteline Newsletter arriving by mail this December, or visit the County’s website at www.wasteline.ca. 

Waste facility holiday hours and closures

Oxford County Waste Management Facility

Regular operating hours for the Oxford County Waste Management Facility are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Oxford County Waste Management Facility will be closed for the holidays on Thursday, December 25, 2025, Friday, December 26, 2025, and Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Woodstock EnviroDepot

The Woodstock EnviroDepot will be open during regular winter operating hours over the holidays. Recycling-only, which operates Wednesday–Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., will be closed on:

• Wednesday, December 24
• Thursday, December 25
• Friday, December 26
• Thursday, January 1

Full-service Saturdays (10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.) will continue as usual, with two “bonus days”:

• Friday, December 19
• Tuesday, December 30

Tillsonburg Transfer Station

The Tillsonburg Transfer Station will be open for regular operating hours over the holidays, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Christmas tree disposal

Residents can dispose of real Christmas trees at any brush, leaf, and yard waste depot throughout Oxford County.

Online bag tag purchases

The Oxford County Administration Building will be closed from December 24, 2025, to January 1, 2026. During this time, online bag tag purchases will not be processed until the offices reopen. Please note that the cost of each bag tag will rise to $3 in January. A list of local retailers is available at wasteline.ca/bagtags.

Tips for setting out materials in the winter

During the winter months, Oxford County Waste Management reminds residents to ensure collection staff can easily see their set-outs. Refrain from using white garbage bags, as they are difficult to see in snowy conditions. Avoid placing containers on top of snowbanks and sidewalks. If necessary, shovel an area for your waste at ground level.

Inclement winter weather can cause delays or cancellations in collection. Oxford County residents can download the Wasteline app to receive service alerts directly on their smartphone or tablet. They can also sign up for email, phone, or text service alerts through the “When’s my pickup?” widget on wasteline.ca.