Ontarians won’t be able to get blue boxes from cities in 2026 under new rules
Global News
Ontario's recycling program is set to change in the new year, with municipalities no longer responsible for collection or replacement of bins.
By next year, Ontarians will notice some changes in the blue box program responsible for collecting their recycling, and some have already seen the shift.
As of Jan. 1, 2026, blue box collection and program operations will transfer over to the producers of recycling products and packaging.
It’s part of legislation passed by the Ontario government in 2016 that the province says is aimed at “transitioning costs of the blue box program away from municipal taxpayers.”
The transfers will be effective for the entire province as of Jan. 1, but some municipalities including Guelph, Hamilton and parts of Toronto began making the shift as far back as 2023.
Hamilton switched over in April of this year, handing responsibility to Circular Materials, while Guelph transitioned in January to Waste Management of Canada Corporation, which is contracted by Circular.
Parts of Toronto also made the switch in 2023 to Circular Materials, though the city has continued to provide and manage collection, a service that will end come Jan. 1.
Under the new collection system, those handling the recycling program will be able to make changes on what is and is not accepted for collection and how materials are collected.
These companies, known as producer responsibility organizations (PRO), will also be required to inform residents of what changes are made.
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