Kingston Area Recycling Centre

My encounter at the reception was less than average. Walked into the office to have my recycling bin replaced, the lady was hunched over the computer, wished her good morning to divert her attention, no reciprocating greetings. Just a blunt statement, "pickup the bin from the corner, drop off the cracked one outside". She's done, resumed whatever she was doing. I just picked up a new bin, left the office wondering, can't she at least greet back, afterall she's dealing with a tax payer.

I attended the Kingston landfill site at approximately 750AM on this date. When I pulled up in my full size pick up truck loaded to capacity, a number of female staff inside the weigh station asked if I had cash? I said no, just debit/credit as per the posted signage. I was then curtly informed that the “debit is down” and they only take cash. When I said I had $40 on my person, could I unload the heaping truckload and come back with the other 10 whopping dollars, I was immediately scolded that “no we can’t put you in the system. ” That made zero sense as they could accept the $50 minimum fee cash but not $40 plus a return promise? When I explained how inconvenient it is to leave with the full load, one lady inside went on in an editorial style dismissive manner and loudly stated, “ITS NOT OUR FAULT THE DEBIT IS DOWN! ” All four of the women then broke out in laughter at my plight which I found to be ridiculously disrespectful and the worst example of customer service I’ve ever experienced. I know they have job security given the nature of the work (garbage) but they clearly are too comfortable in their positions. I will never use this facility again and went up the road to the competitors’ site where I was treated in a pleasant and respectful manner. I strongly encourage the management team of this site to address the appalling approach to customer care by way of a performance review for all the employees in the office today, August 8th 2023. From other reviews I’ve read, I am clearly not alone in this type of degrading interaction.

Beware the minimum price to dump has gone up to $50. A hefty jump from just a couple of years ago. Went on a Saturday morning and there was very little place left to dump in the buildings despite 4 or 5 people standing around in the bay next to us. Basically, big price hike + lower level of service = a 3 and even that was being generous. Not that you have another option to go to. A little competition might do this service some good.

Easy access recycling for all sorts of things and you can get your broken recycling or compost bins replaced here.