Durham election sign recycling will be available free of charge to candidates bringing dedicated loads of corrugated plastic campaign signs to the Region’s waste management facilities after the election.
The Region announced the program on October 19, a week before the October 26 municipal election. Signs can be taken to any of its three waste management facilities.
Sort signs before dropping them off
The free service applies to separate loads of eligible signs. A load containing signs mixed with other waste will be subject to the regular disposal fee, according to the regional notice.
Candidates must remove wooden stakes, wire mounts, nylon zip ties, metal rings and staples before delivering the plastic boards. Those components should not remain attached to signs placed in the recycling load.
The notice covers corrugated plastic signs; it does not promise free disposal for every type of campaign material or other waste.
Reuse is another option
The Region encourages candidates who may campaign again to keep signs for future use. Durham election sign recycling is an option for suitable signs that are no longer needed, rather than a requirement to discard reusable materials.
Rules about when temporary election signs must be removed are set locally. Candidates should check with their own municipality for placement and removal requirements instead of assuming the regional recycling program changes those deadlines.
Facility information is available through the Region’s waste management facilities webpage at durham.ca/WMF. Candidates should consult that information before arranging a drop-off.
Durham Radio News also reported the free recycling offer on October 19. Neither report specifies a separate final date for the program, so no unannounced deadline is implied here.
