Key takeaways
- Construction and demolition waste is not accepted at London’s W12A Landfill. It has to go to an EnviroDepot or a private construction and demolition facility, and fees apply.
- Residential landfill disposal in London is weight-based, starting at $8.00 for 0 to 100 kg and rising to $75 per tonne above 1,000 kg.
- Business waste at W12A is $75 per tonne with a $75 minimum charge per transaction, which is why small commercial loads feel expensive.
- Private construction and demolition recycling in London can start from a minimum charge of about $30.97 per load plus HST, and clean concrete and asphalt are often accepted free.
- The single biggest cost driver is contamination. Clean, separated material is cheap to recycle. Mixed loads are not.
Why debris removal is priced differently than junk removal
Household junk usually goes to a landfill or transfer station on a straightforward weight or volume basis. Construction debris does not, because the material streams are handled separately.
The City of London is explicit about it. Construction and demolition waste is not accepted at the W12A Landfill and should be brought to an EnviroDepot instead, where fees apply, according to the City of London waste disposal fees page. So a company that only makes landfill runs cannot handle your renovation debris at all.
That is why the first question for any debris removal company should be simple. Where does my material go?
What disposal actually costs in London, Ontario
Knowing the underlying disposal cost helps you judge whether a quote is fair. Residential waste at the W12A Landfill is charged by weight: $8.00 for 0 to 100 kg, $15.00 for 101 to 200 kg, $30.00 for 201 to 400 kg, $45.00 for 401 to 600 kg, $60.00 for 601 to 800 kg, $75.00 for 801 to 1,000 kg, and $75 per tonne above that, per the City of London fee schedule.
Business waste is $75 per tonne, with a minimum charge of $75 per transaction excluding residential and charitable organization waste. That minimum is the reason a small contractor load can cost as much as a much larger one.
A number of materials are accepted at no charge at the landfill, including leaves and brush, blue box recyclables, tires, propane tanks, batteries, empty oil and antifreeze containers, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, electronics, TVs and monitors, and scrap metal, per the City of London landfill page. The City has also flagged that a new per-unit fee is coming for appliances containing refrigerant, such as fridges, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers.
On the private side, Green Valley Recycling on Green Valley Road in London lists a minimum charge of $30.97 per load plus HST and accepts renovation waste, roofing materials, brick and block, drywall, wood, metals and old furniture, with concrete and asphalt and electronics listed as free. Materials do have to be clean, and separated streams such as clean drywall, clean shingles and clean concrete are handled differently than contaminated mixed loads.
Where contamination costs you money
Facilities distinguish sharply between clean and contaminated material. Clean wood, clean drywall, clean shingles, clean concrete and clean brick can be processed and recycled. Once those streams are mixed with insulation, carpet, styrofoam, pressure-treated wood or general garbage, the load becomes mixed solid waste and is priced accordingly.
A good debris removal company will separate on site as it loads. That is not just an environmental preference, it directly affects your disposal cost.
Seven questions to ask any debris removal company
- Are you insured, and can you show proof? Debris removal involves heavy material, stairs, tight spaces and vehicles on your property.
- Where does my material go? A specific answer naming facilities or recycling streams is a good sign. A vague one is not.
- Do you sort for recycling and donation, or is it all one load? Sorting keeps usable material and clean streams out of landfill.
- Is the quote all-in? Confirm whether labour, disposal fees, fuel and any minimum charges are included.
- Do you quote on site before starting? Volume is very hard to estimate over the phone, and a free on-site quote protects you from surprises.
- What will you not take? Hazardous liquids, asbestos-containing material and some refrigerant appliances often need specialist handling.
- Do you protect the property? Floors, door frames, railings and driveways all take abuse during a debris haul.
What full-service debris removal should include
The difference between a cheap hauler and a professional debris removal company usually shows up in the details of the visit rather than the price.
On-site assessment and a clear quote
Someone should look at the pile, ask what is in it, and give you a volume-based price before any work starts. Our cost guide for London and St Thomas explains how that pricing works, and How Does Junk Removal Work? walks through the full process.
Loading and property protection
Crews should plan the path out, protect floors and doorways, and carry heavy material properly. Damage to a stairwell or a door frame costs far more to repair than the difference between two quotes.
Sorting for donation, recycling and disposal
Renovation loads are rarely all garbage. Scrap metal, cabinetry, fixtures, appliances and clean wood often have a second life. Get R Gone sorts loads donation first, then recycling, then disposal, which is the approach behind our construction debris removal service.
Enclosed trucks and a clean site
Enclosed trucks keep loose debris from escaping in transit and keep the job site and street tidy, which matters on residential streets and on commercial properties where tenants and customers are watching.
Common debris removal jobs in London and St Thomas
Most calls fall into a handful of categories. Bathroom and kitchen renovation debris, including cabinetry, tile, vanities and old fixtures. Deck, fence and shed teardowns. Roofing tear-off material. Drywall and framing from basement finishing. Flooring and carpet removal. Garage and yard cleanups with a mix of building material and general clutter.
Commercial and property management work adds tenant turnovers, office fit-outs and post-construction cleanups, which we cover on our commercial junk removal page. If you are not sure whether your material qualifies, the What We Take page is the fastest way to check.
Bins, DIY trips or a debris removal company?
If you are running a long renovation, have crew to load and are producing debris steadily, a bin rental is often the cheapest route. If you have a truck, time and a clean separated load, a direct trip to an EnviroDepot or a construction and demolition facility can be cheaper still.
A debris removal company earns its price when the material is heavy or awkward, the load is mixed, the timeline is short, there is nowhere to park a bin, or you simply do not want to spend a weekend hauling. It also earns it when you want the load sorted rather than buried.
FAQ
What do debris removal companies charge in London, Ontario?
Most price by volume, meaning how much space your material takes in the truck, plus the actual disposal cost of that material. Underlying disposal is real money: London charges business waste at $75 per tonne with a $75 minimum per transaction, and private construction and demolition facilities start from roughly $30.97 per load plus HST.
Can I take construction debris to the London landfill?
No. The City of London does not accept construction and demolition waste at the W12A Landfill. It should be taken to an EnviroDepot, where fees apply, or to a private construction and demolition recycling facility that handles renovation material.
What materials do debris removal companies refuse?
Commonly refused items include hazardous liquids such as paint, oil and solvents, asbestos-containing material, propane tanks, batteries and some refrigerant appliances. These need specialist handling or a household hazardous waste depot rather than a standard debris load.
Is construction debris recyclable?
A great deal of it is. Clean wood, clean drywall, clean shingles, clean concrete, brick, block, asphalt, metals and cardboard are all commonly recycled in the London area. Contamination is the deciding factor, which is why separating material as you load lowers both cost and landfill volume.
How much notice do you need for a debris pickup?
Many debris removal jobs can be scheduled within a few days, and same-week service is common outside peak renovation season. Larger demolition or multi-truck jobs benefit from more lead time so the right crew size and disposal route can be arranged.
Do you handle both residential and commercial debris removal?
Yes. Get R Gone serves homeowners, landlords, property managers and contractors across London, St Thomas and surrounding communities, from single-room renovation debris to ongoing commercial and property management cleanups.
Get a free on-site debris removal quote
If you have a pile you would rather not deal with, we can price it in person before any work starts. See our construction debris removal service, our London junk removal page, or contact Get R Gone to book a free, no-obligation quote.
