Garbage and Recycling
2025 Fees
Waste Transfer Station Tipping Fee - $129.00 per tonne
Tipping Fees
- Out-of-Area Waste: $193.51 per tonne
- Non-Hazardous Contaminated Soil: $50.00 per tonne
- Minimum Charge at Waste Transfer Station (WTS): 6 bag tags
Waste Transfer Station & Recycling Centre Hours
May 1 - Oct 31
- Tuesdays: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursdays: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Nov 1 - Apr 30
- Tuesdays: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursdays: CLOSED
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Bag Tags
Bag tags are available at the following locations:
- Town Hall (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Circle K
- Canadian Tire
- SPG
- Mobil Gas Bar
Curbside Waste Collection Guidelines
- Maximum Container Size: 189 litres.
- Maximum Weight: 20 kilograms.
- All waste must be bagged – no loose garbage allowed.
- Set out by 7:00 AM on your scheduled pickup day.
Garbage and Recycling Calendars and Information
More information on Waste
Refrigerator/Freezer/Dehumidifier Drop-off
If you are disposing of a refrigerator, freezer, or dehumidifier, you must purchase a Refrigerator Tag before dropping off the appliance.
Requirements:
- Tag Fee: $55.00 (available at Town Hall)
- Drop-Off Location: Waste Transfer Station
- Drop-Off Hours:
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Important Instructions:
- Remove the door(s) from the appliance before drop-off.
- Affix the Refrigerator Tag sticker to the interior rear wall of the appliance.
Improperly prepared appliances will not be accepted.
The Town of Marathon is pleased to offer free yard waste disposal at the Recycling Centre at the Waste Transfer Station (WTS).
Accepted Yard Waste:
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Small branches
Please place all yard waste in paper bags (plastic bags are not accepted).
This service is part of Town Council’s commitment to waste diversion and provides a convenient, eco-friendly alternative to illegal dumping on green spaces and Crown land.
Marathon’s Recycling Program Includes:
- Cardboard
- Fibre
- Plastics
- Steel
- Electronics
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Now: Yard Waste
Household Hazardous Waste Depot - Open Seasonally
The Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Waste Transfer Station (WTS) allows residents to safely dispose of household hazardous materials for free, with the exception of automotive and marine batteries, which require two (2) bag tags per battery.
Seasonal Collection Dates
- Spring Collection: May 15–31
- Fall Collection: September 15–30
Open during regular WTS hours
Accepted Items Include:
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Antifreeze
- Driveway sealer
- Paint and varnish
- All types of batteries
- Cleaning solutions
- Aerosol cans
- Bleach
- Fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
- Motor oil
To ensure safe and efficient waste collection, please do not place the following items in your curbside garbage:
- Explosive or highly combustible materials
- Liquids or semi-liquid waste
- Animal manure or carcasses
- Major appliances or large household furniture
- Bio-medical or household hazardous waste
- Vehicles or vehicle parts
- Propane tanks and batteries
- Waste electronics and electrical equipment (these can be dropped off at the Recycling Centre)
- Any item that cannot fit inside a standard waste container (Type “A” or “B”)
Expanded Plastic Recycling Program
We’re excited to announce that the Town of Marathon now accepts plastic containers labeled #1 through #7 in the recycling program.
Please note:
- Plastic bags are not accepted, even if labeled #1–7
- All plastics must be clean – contaminated items will not be collected
- Place recyclables in blue bags at the curb on your regular recycling day
More information on Recycling
The Recycling Centre accepts the following:
Plastics & Containers
- Plastic containers (#1–7) — please remove lids
- Milk cartons & juice boxes — remove straws
- Food, beverage, metal, and aluminum cans — rinse before recycling
- Aluminum foil wrap and trays — must be clean
Paper Products
- Newspapers, flyers, and magazines
- Telephone books
- Office paper, envelopes, household and fine paper
- Paperback books and hardcover books — remove covers
- Egg cartons (paper only, no styrofoam)
- Cereal boxes — remove liners
- Cores from toilet paper and paper towels
Other Acceptable
- Clean wood
- Clean metal
- Bicycles
Important: All items must be clean and free of food or residue to be accepted. Contaminated items may be rejected.
Recycling Electronics What WEE (Waste Electronic Equipment) Products can I bring?
- amplifiers
- audio/video players
- monitors
- scanners
- cameras
- cell phones
- printers
- computers
- copiers
- fax machines
- receivers
- radios
- televisions
- turntables
- telephones
For more information on recycling your electronics, please call (807) 229-1340, or access the Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) website
Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) – The Town of Marathon has been awarded with a certificate for their Excellence in the delivery of 26.53 kilograms per household of E-Waste that was diverted from our landfill site. We would like to thank all residents and business owners for their recycling efforts. Keep up the great work!
Environmental Benefits of Recycling:
- Conserves Natural Resources: Recycling helps preserve precious raw materials for future generations.
- Saves Trees: Recycling just one tonne of paper can save up to 17 trees.
- Reduces Landfill Pressure: By diverting waste from landfills, we help alleviate overcrowding.
- Decreases Pollution: Recycling uses less energy, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic Benefits of Recycling:
- Cuts Waste Disposal Costs: By reducing the volume of waste, recycling helps save money on tipping fees and waste management.
- Creates Jobs: The recycling industry offers numerous employment opportunities.
- Immediate Savings: Recycling services are cost-effective, helping communities save money.
Remember — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
The Orange Drop Program is an industry-funded initiative designed to keep hazardous and special waste materials out of Ontario’s landfills and waterways. This program provides Ontarians with a safe and convenient way to dispose of designated materials.
Through the Orange Drop Program, you can return accepted materials to local Municipal Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depots, retail sites, or collection events throughout Ontario.
For more information on accepted materials and drop-off locations, visit the Orange Drop website.
Frequently asked questions about garbage and recycling in Marathon
Is garbage collection covered under By-Laws?
Residential garbage collection is under Municipal By-Law No. 1890, being a by-law for establishing and maintaining a waste management system in the Town of Marathon.
Is there a Garbage & Recycling Collection Schedule and Map?
Yes see above under printable calendars.
Your garbage is your responsibility until it is collected. Please place all garbage, rubbish or other refuse in proper type “A” containers, or in receptacles placed in type “B” containers. Please drain off all liquid matter from your waste before placing in the receptacle and/or proper containers. All table and compostable kitchen waste, not suitable for composting, shall be well wrapped in paper. The householder shall be responsible to remove and dispose of, in an approved manner, any accumulation of scattered garbage, waste or rubbish, that may result from tipped-over proper type “A” or “B” containers.
What size is an approved container?
A proper type “A” container means any container constructed of metals or plastics of volume not less than 2.73 cu. ft. 17 Imperial gallons or 77.28 litres and equal to or less than 5.77 cu. ft. 35.94 Imperial gallons or 163.39 litres with a tight fitting lid, carrying handles and capable of being readily sanitized and having maximum capacity of garbage not more than 40 lbs. (18.14 kilograms), commonly known as a Store Purchased Garbage Can.
A proper type “B” container means a homemade mobile or stationary bin-type container made of metal, plastic and/or wood where the volume is larger than type “A” container.
Receptacle means a 1-1/2 mm or greater plastic garbage bag of not more than 1.77 cu. ft. (50 litres), no more than 4.25 cu. ft. (120 litres) capacity, filled to a gross weight of not more than 40 lbs. (18.14 Kilograms) and secured tied in such a way as to allow a garbage collector to carry it in one hand.
Every proper type “A” container and all receptacles placed in proper type “B” container shall have a bag tag attached to the contents or around the neck of the bag in such a manner as to be clearly visible to the garbage collector upon removal of the container lid. Untagged receptacle bags or Type “A” containers will not be collected.
Where can bag tags be purchased?
Bag tags are available at the Municipal Town Office or the Recreation Complex Office during regular business hours and retail outlets.
What time is curbside pick-up?
Always have your garbage out at the pick-up point between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on the day of pick-up. The truck may not always come at the same time every week, but your collection will be only guaranteed if it is out on time on the pick-up day designated to your area. During extreme weather conditions such as winter storms, your collection may be delayed but will be completed during the day.
How do recyclables get collected?
All recyclables will be placed at the curb in blue plastic bags. Recycling pick up is every second week. See Collection Calendar (top of page) for a list of recyclable items and dates. Metals, plastics and foil is to be sorted into one bag and fibers into another bag.
Contact Us
Town of Marathon
P.O. Box "TM" 4 Hemlo Drive
Marathon, ON P0T 2E0
Main: 807-229-1340
Fax: 807-229-1999