Starting on January 1, 2026, Ontario recycling programs are changing. Read on to find out what’s changing and when it’s all happening.
Why are Ontario recycling programs changing?
The changes to Ontario recycling programs are part of a bigger change to shift responsibility for recycling to the companies that produce the waste. Known as extended producer responsibility (EPR), this approach requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of the materials they supply to consumers.
As a result of this change, responsibility for recycling has shifted from municipalities to an organization called Circular Materials. Circular Materials manages recycling programs across the province of Ontario and several other provinces. It is a national not-for-profit organization that helps producers meet their obligations under EPR legislation across Canada.
Municipalities are still responsible for other waste management programs, including regular garbage pickup, green bin programs, and landfill management.
What is changing in 2026?
Changes to Ontario recycling programs are happening in two stages. On January 1, 2026, we’ll see changes to what we can recycle. Then in March, there will be changes to when and how often recycling is collected.
Changes to what we can recycle
One of the positives about Ontario’s new provincial recycling program is the expansion and standardization of what can be recycled across the province. You can find full details on the Circular Materials website, but here is a list of additional items that we can put in our blue box starting January 1:
- Coffee cups
- Toothpaste tubes
- Deodorant containers
- Black plastic containers
- Frozen juice containers
- Ice cream tubs
- Hand cream tubes
- Medication bottles
- Plant pots
- Chip bags
- Bubble wrap
- Cereal liner bags
- Snack wrappers
- Meat trays and other foam packaging
Something to note is that alcohol containers of any type (glass, plastic, metal) are specifically excluded from the list of recyclables. Consumers pay a refundable deposit on these items, and they should be returned to the appropriate collection location (currently The Beer Store) for a refund.
This expanded list of recyclables is terrific news. It should reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfill.
Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.
Changes to when and how often recycling is collected
In January or February, Waterloo Region residents will receive two new blue bins. Then, starting in March, blue box collection will change to bi-weekly. This timing coincides with other changes to waste collection in our region.
Where to get more information
Visit the Circular Materials website for full details on what you can recycle in Ontario starting January 1.
Waterloo Region residents can find information specific to timing of recycling collection changes for our region on this page. Residents in other areas can check their local municipality’s website to find out when their changes take effect.
If this new program delivers as promised, it will be a positive change across the Province of Ontario.
Waterloo Region has a long tradition of recycling. In fact, the first blue box recycling program started right here. I expect our residents will get behind this new Ontario recycling program as they have in the past.
Discover more from Boomer Eco Crusader
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Our city finally included glass on our recycling list. I don’t even know why it wasn’t included, but I’m glad they finally did. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Michelle.
Glass is an interesting one. When we toured our local landfill and recycling centre they told us that, unlike plastic, they don’t have markets for recycled glass, so they grind up the glass with discarded toilets and use it to build road beds in the landfill. Ultimately, we should probably go back to the days when glass bottles were returned and refilled, but glass is heavier than plastic or aluminum so that increases the impact of shipping. There’s no simple answer to any of this.
Thanks for reading Edward. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Interesting! I didn’t know that about glass. It makes sense now why they were refusing it at first. Thank you, Michelle.
I like what’s in that new list Michelle. I don’t think we can recycle any of those things here. The counties don’t have the infrastructure for those types of items, just the more common ones that most places accept. We have a free mail in option down here called Terra Cycle. Have you heard of that. I used it a few times back in WA but it’s rather complicated and I found myself storing items for months just to get enough to send in. I haven’t continued it here.
Yes, I have heard of Terra Cycle. It does sound complicated. These programs have to be easy for people to adopt them. I’m still a bit skeptical of this new province-wide program because I don’t think the current government is really behind it. We’ll see what happens.