♻️ Garbage, Recycling & Waste Disposal
- hilltopretreatca
- Feb 1, 2025
- 5 min read
A Local Guide to Responsible Waste in Northumberland County
Staying at Hilltop Retreat means enjoying wide open space, fresh air, and a slower pace of life, but it also means sharing responsibility for protecting the land and community around us. TLDR; Garbage, recycling, and green bin collection at Hilltop Retreat occurs every Monday. All waste must be properly sorted and placed in the designated bins by 7:00 a.m. on Monday (or Tuesday after a stat holiday) for collection. Guests are not required to purchase or apply garbage tags; however, any excess garbage beyond the on-site bin capacity will incur additional charges. Excess bags are subject to a $20 per bag fee + $4.68 tag per bag, and if Hilltop Retreat is required to organize, bag, tag, or transport garbage to a disposal facility, a $75 garbage handling and disposal fee will apply. All garbage-related costs are deducted from the security deposit where applicable.
Don't want to worry about garbage? Add a Waste Management Package to your reservation. It allows up to 3 extra bags for a flat rate of $149. Non-compliance with the garbage policy will result in a $175 fee, deducted from the security deposit, to cover unscheduled cleanup and disposal.
Hilltop Retreat is located in Northumberland County, where waste management follows a partial user-pay system designed to reduce landfill use and encourage recycling, composting, and responsible disposal. This guide explains how waste works locally, what guests should know during their stay, and where to go if you need to dispose of more than what curbside collection allows.
🚛 How Waste Collection Works Locally
Northumberland County provides weekly curbside collection for:
Household garbage
Recycling (managed by Circular Materials Ontario)
Green bin (food waste & organics)
On statutory holidays, collection is automatically bumped to the following day.
Waste must be placed roadside by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day (Mondays for Hilltop Retreat).
🗑️ Garbage: Limits, Tags & Why They Exist
Unlike many urban areas, garbage collection here operates under a bag-tag system.
Each week, you can put up to two bags of garbage at the curb for collection. Bag tags are required for each bag of garbage. (Household sized bags only. Contractor bags are not accepted.)
Each bag of garbage must weigh less than 44 pounds (20 kg)
Bags in a garbage can must be tagged on the bag, do not place tags on the can
Garbage cans can be no larger than 80 litres (17 gallons)
Garbage bags or cans placed on snowbanks will not be collected
Bag tags must be visible for collection
Please stick tags end-to-end around the neck of each bag, like a clothespin (see image)
Please Dispose of Garbage & Recycling Properly
Bins are located on the top BBQ deck.
Guests do not need to purchase or apply bag tags. We simply ask that all waste is sorted correctly and placed in the appropriate bins shown above.
How to Use the Bins
Please separate recycling from regular garbage
Alcohol cans and bottles must be placed in their own recycling bin
100% paper-only items go in the short grey bin (far right)
All other waste goes in the large black bins to the left
Please use the latch on the black bins to keep them securely closed
Excess Garbage
Any garbage that does not fit inside the designated bins or is left loose/unbagged is considered excess
Excess garbage is subject to a $20/bag fee + $4.68 tag/bag + Garbage handling fee: $75 flat fee. This fee covers additional handling, sorting, and disposal required beyond standard on-site capacity.
Extra Waste? Community Recycling Centres (CRCs)
If your group generates more waste than curbside limits allow—or you have bulky items—Northumberland County operates Community Recycling Centres.
Nearby Facilities
Brighton Community Recycling Centre (Home to the County’s only landfill)
Bewdley Community Recycling Centre
Seymour Community Recycling Centre
These centres accept:
Household garbage
Bulky waste
Recycling
Electronics
Tires, clothing & scrap metal
Household hazardous waste (on designated days)
💳 Payment: Debit or credit only
🪪 Proof of Northumberland County residency is required
FAQs
Why Bag Tags?
Northumberland County uses a partial user-pay model:
Recycling and green bin use are free and unlimited
Garbage disposal is paid per bag
The goal is to divert over 75% of residential waste away from landfill and extend the life of the Brighton Landfill until approximately 2034–2035. Simply put: the less garbage produced, the less waste sent to landfill—and the less cost incurred overall.
Buy Bag Tags
Bag tags are $4.25 each. Sellers may charge a handling fee of no more than 10% to a maximum of $4.68 per tag.
You can purchase bag tags online and have them delivered by mail, or you can purchase them in person at one of the locations listed here.
Recycling & Green Bin
Recycling is handled separately from garbage and does not require bag tags. Blue and grey box sorting is used across the County.
If you’re unsure where something goes, the County offers a “What Goes Where” Waste Wizard that allows you to search specific items.
Common garbage-only items include:
Chip bags & snack wrappers
Foam meat trays & takeout containers
Pet food bags
Plastic cutlery & straws
Stretch wrap
Shoes, clothing & toys
Green Bin (Food & Organics)
Green bins accept food waste and organics and are collected weekly. Using the green bin significantly reduces garbage volume and is encouraged whenever possible.
Leaf & Yard Waste
Free monthly curbside pickup of leaf and yard waste runs from mid-April to mid-December. This service is seasonal and does not require bag tags.
Does this apply to long stays and events?
Yes. All garbage, recycling, and waste policies at Hilltop Retreat apply to every booking, including extended stays, long weekends, group bookings, and events.
Longer stays and events often generate more waste, which makes proper disposal especially important in a rural setting with regulated collection limits.
Guests planning extended stays or events are strongly encouraged to:
Monitor garbage volume throughout the stay
Use recycling and green bin options properly
Include the Excess Waste Management Package if additional garbage is expected or incurred
Take garbage with you when you leave
Non-compliance with the garbage policy will result in a $175 fee, deducted from the security deposit, to cover unscheduled cleanup and disposal.
What about wildlife and animals?
Improperly secured garbage attracts wildlife. Garbage left accessible or outside bins may require immediate handling and may result in additional cleaning fees. Our food waste garbage bins have latches, please use them.
Can we burn garbage or food waste?
No. Burning garbage or food waste is strictly prohibited.
Do you have a compost or green bin on-site?
No. At this time, Hilltop Retreat does not provide an on-site compost or green bin. All food waste must be securely bagged and placed in the designated garbage bins.
Please ensure bags are sealed tightly to prevent odours and wildlife.
🛒 Need Extra Garbage Supplies?
To help keep garbage organized during your stay or during departure, guests are welcome to order additional supplies via Instacart and have it delivered directly to the door.
Use promo code: HRETREAT1DEBD to save $10 on your order and ensure you have everything you need. Terms and conditions apply.
Illegal Dumping: Zero Tolerance
Illegal dumping damages the environment, risks wildlife, and places unnecessary strain on the community.
Fines range from $305 to $5,000.
To report illegal dumping:
Call 1-866-293-8379
Or report by email to the County
Please do not open bags or disturb evidence.
Why This Matters to Us
Hilltop Retreat sits on land meant to be enjoyed for generations. Responsible waste practices protect:
Local waterways and wildlife
Rural roads and ditches
Community landfill capacity
The natural experience guests come here to enjoy
Your cooperation helps preserve the very environment you came to relax in.
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