Garbage and Recycling

The Ontario government’s Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act's Blue Box Regulation has introduced some important changes to the recycling system.

Under the Blue Box Regulation, producers of recyclable materials now take on full responsibility for the program. This shift encourages companies to reduce waste and improve recycling efforts, which can help minimize pollution and conserve natural resources. Ontario's Blue Box program is now administered by a new non-profit organization called Circular Materials.

Starting in 2026, there will be two notable enhancements to the recycling system:

• Expanded Recycling Options: For the first time, Ontarians will be able to recycle a wider range of materials, and this list will be standardized across the province.
• Free Recycling Collection: Schools (public, separate, and private for K-12), non-profit retirement homes, long-term care facilities, and multi-residential buildings like apartments will have access to free recycling collection.

Additionally, when it comes to cardboard boxes, please break them down before recycling.

This not only helps save room in our bins, but it also makes the collection process more efficient by reducing space and air. Every little bit helps in our efforts to manage waste responsibly.