Owen Sound residents will have two opportunities this weekend to reduce waste and promote sustainability in their community.
The city will host both a Goods Exchange Day and a Household Hazardous Waste Day, offering convenient ways for residents to give away gently used items and safely dispose of hazardous materials.
Goods Exchange Day is scheduled for this Saturday, May 17. Residents are encouraged to set out unwanted but still usable household items at the curb in front of their homes after 8 a.m. Neighbours are invited to take what they can use, a simple and sustainable way to keep usable items out of local landfills. Any unclaimed items must be removed by 6 p.m. the same day.
Back this year is an opportunity for gardeners to swap surplus non-invasive plants and flowers, such as hostas, peonies, and boxwood. It’s a perfect way to thin out thriving garden beds while helping others beautify their outdoor spaces.
The following weekend, on Saturday, May 24, the city will host a Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Public Works Facility (1900 20th Street East) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This popular event allows residents to safely dispose of items that cannot be placed in regular garbage collection, such as leftover paint, solvents, old batteries, and pesticides.
The program is open to residents of Owen Sound and its partner municipalities, including the Township of Chatsworth, Township of Georgian Bluffs, Municipality of Grey Highlands, and Municipality of Meaford. Attendees are asked to bring valid identification proving their home address and a completed Household Hazardous Waste Form, which can be printed from the city’s website at OwenSound.ca/WasteForm.
Hazardous waste from commercial, industrial, or agricultural operations will not be accepted, nor will infectious waste, explosives, radioactive materials, or unidentified items. All materials must be properly sealed in secure, labelled containers.
For a full list of accepted materials and future Household Hazardous Waste event dates, visit OwenSound.ca/Waste.