Are paint cans and propane tanks allowed in an Ottawa bin?

Paint cans and propane tanks are on the refused list at two or more Ottawa bin companies, and the City of Ottawa does not accept hazardous waste at its landfill. Neither item belongs in an ordinary renovation bin.

The City's household hazardous waste page lists both aerosol containers and propane cylinders as hazardous waste, along with paints and coatings, motor oil, fertilizers and pesticides, fire extinguishers and oil filters. The City describes hazardous waste as anything corrosive, flammable or poisonous. The City runs household hazardous waste events for residents, and its Waste Explorer tool points to retailer take-back programs for some of these items. The City's 2026 rates page for the Trail Road landfill says plainly that the landfill does not accept hazardous waste or liquid waste. Dried paint is a different matter: the City says dried paint can go in the regular garbage.

Two or more Ottawa bin companies list propane or pressurised tanks as refused items, and paint as well. Ask the company for its full refused and surcharged list in writing before the bin is delivered, because each company sets its own.

Paint in liquid form sits in the same category. If you have leftover liquid paint, the household hazardous waste route is the one the City points to. If the paint is fully dried and hardened, the City says it can go in the garbage, but confirm with the bin company whether it accepts dried paint in the bin, since company rules vary.

Set the paint and propane aside before the bin arrives, and check the City's household hazardous waste page for where they go instead.