SUDBURY – The City of Greater Sudbury says the Sudbury, Azilda and Hanmer landfill sites and the Recycling Centre will reopen to all commercial haulers on March 23, with residential access following on March 26, after heavy overnight snowfall led to closures beginning March 16.
All regular tipping and gate fees will be in effect. The city is cautioning that queues could be significant when gates reopen and is asking people to plan ahead, noting the sites operate under provincial environmental approvals and local waste-management bylaws that limit on-site congestion and require safe access for heavy equipment under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act.
Landfill access to restart in phases
City officials say the phased reopening is intended to prioritize commercial haulers that support essential services and clear accumulated waste from multi-residential and institutional properties before broader public access resumes.
– March 23: Commercial haulers only at the Sudbury, Azilda and Hanmer landfill sites and the Recycling Centre.
– March 26: Residential access begins at the same locations.
“Wait times may be longer than usual at landfill sites and residents are encouraged to check the Sudbury landfill live stream camera to assess wait times before attending the site,” the city noted in a media release.
The city added: “To reduce wait times, residents are encouraged to hold their waste until roadside collection resumes the week of March 30.”
Curbside collection to resume with temporary allowances
The city says curbside garbage, recycling and organics collection is scheduled to restart the week of March 30, with short-term increases to setout limits to manage accumulated waste built up during the storm-related service interruption.
– Garbage collection – Weeks of March 30 and April 6:
– Residential properties: up to four bags/containers/bundles.
– Registered yellow bag participants: up to 12 bags.
– Green Cart and Blue Box – Week of March 30:
– Organic waste exceeding green cart capacity may be placed in certified compostable bags and set on top of or beside your green cart in a cardboard box or similar small container without a lid (do not place directly on the ground).
– Extra recyclables may be placed next to your blue box in a cardboard box or other lidless box no larger than a blue box.
– Yellow Box recycling carts – Weeks of March 30 and April 6:
– Recyclables that do not fit in your cart may be placed next to your cart in a cardboard box or other lidless box no larger than a blue box.
Officials stress that the temporary higher limits are intended to clear backlogs only and do not signal a permanent change to the municipality’s waste-reduction targets or diversion programs. The city is also asking visitors to landfill sites to support waste diversion by separating recyclable and compostable materials in line with its open space and recreation and environmental-planning priorities, which emphasize protection of green space and responsible use of disposal capacity.
Snow clearing reminder as recovery continues
Officials say municipal recovery operations are ongoing following the storm that left much of the city shut by early March 16. Road, transit and emergency access routes remain a focus as crews continue clearing snow and widening lanes.
Residents are being reminded not to push or blow snow back onto public roads or into neighbouring laneways – a practice that can contravene local bylaws governing obstruction of roadways and snow storage, and that runs counter to provincial traffic and road-safety rules under the Highway Traffic Act.
“We recognize that space on private property may be limited; however, placing snow back into cleared areas creates additional work for crews and delays progress across the community,” they said. “It can also impact neighbours and reduce access for transit and emergency services. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping keep routes clear and ensuring crews can continue their work as efficiently as possible.”
Facility remaining closed
The Walden Small Vehicle Transfer Station will remain closed to all users until further notice. The city says updates on that facility, as well as any further changes to landfill and curbside services, will be communicated through its official channels as cleanup and recovery from the March 16 storm continue.
