Heavy turnout meets limited options
Long lineups and slow-moving traffic marked Kingston’s first household hazardous waste drop-off of the year on Saturday, as residents navigated a drive-through setup at the Kingston Fire & Rescue Training Centre on Terry Fox Drive. The event opened at 8 a.m., but vehicles began queuing well beforehand. By mid-morning, the line extended along Terry Fox Drive to Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard and at times past John Counter Boulevard, with several attendees describing waits of one to two hours.
The surge in demand followed the City’s earlier notice that its planned permanent household hazardous waste depot at 189 Lappan’s Lane will remain closed for the 2026 season because of construction delays. In its place, only two temporary collection events are being offered this summer, concentrating months of deferred drop-offs into a small number of windows.
Residents split on cause, united on stakes
Accounts from those in line varied, but the common thread was strong participation. Some residents highlighted long waits and system pressures. Others emphasized efficient on-site work by staff in difficult conditions, including Saturday’s heavy rain.
“I was in line at 7:40 a.m. and it took an hour. The city workers are lovely, but they do not have an efficient system in place to handle the volume. This will discourage residents from safe disposal,” Jennifer Snyder said.
Others pointed to the sheer volume rather than on-site operations. One attendee, who arrived before opening, reported moving through in roughly 15 minutes once gates opened at 8 a.m., praising staff as “efficient and friendly”. Several residents also underscored that the turnout signals a broad commitment to safe recycling and disposal when opportunities exist.
What changed this year
Kingston typically relies on a dedicated depot for year-round or seasonal handling of household hazardous materials such as certain solvents, paints and other items that cannot be placed at the curb. With the Lappan’s Lane facility delayed, the City’s stopgap approach compresses disposal into a pair of events. That narrow window created a predictable spike in traffic at the first collection date, compounded by months of stored materials at homes across the city.
While the City has not provided additional capacity beyond the two events noted for this summer, the experience on Saturday highlights the operational trade-offs of replacing a standing depot with occasional pop-up events. The model reduces fixed-site availability but can generate intense peaks in attendance and roadway congestion during limited hours.
Traffic, timing and throughput
Saturday’s staging used a drive-through format at the training centre, intended to keep people in their vehicles and move materials quickly. Arrival time strongly influenced outcomes. Those who lined up well before opening experienced shorter waits; vehicles arriving later faced queues stretching to major nearby corridors. Reported waits ranged from under 30 minutes to more than two hours as the morning progressed.
The location and timing created knock-on effects for nearby arteries. With a queue running past major intersections, drivers not participating in the event also encountered delays. The concentration of all hazardous material drop-offs into infrequent dates elevates these impacts on local traffic and can test site capacity even with efficient on-the-ground operations.
Why it matters for safe disposal
Household hazardous materials require specialized handling to protect sanitation workers, prevent environmental contamination and avoid fires or chemical reactions in the waste stream. Several residents expressed concern that extended waits could discourage proper disposal if alternatives remain limited this season.
- Depot status: The new permanent depot at 189 Lappan’s Lane is not opening in 2026 due to construction delays.
- Interim solution: Only two temporary collection events are available this summer.
- Observed waits: Residents reported 1–2 hour lineups at the first event, with lines reaching key corridors.
At-a-glance: 2026 hazardous waste access
| Service element | Details |
|---|---|
| Permanent depot (Lappan’s Lane) | Closed for 2026 due to construction delays |
| Temporary events this summer | Two city-run collection dates |
| First event conditions | Lineups to major roads; 1–2 hour waits reported |
Residents who made use of the first event acknowledged the efforts of front-line staff managing high volumes in poor weather. But opinions differed on whether the system can accommodate the community’s needs without the permanent depot in place. Without added options, the second and final event this summer is likely to see similar pressure.
For now, the constrained schedule puts a premium on early arrival and planning for those seeking safe disposal. The experience on Terry Fox Drive underscores the link between year-round access and compliance: robust capacity and predictable hours tend to support higher participation, while limited windows can create bottlenecks that strain both residents and roads.
