Blue Box Transition

A: Under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, of 2016, Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation shifts responsibility for the Blue Box Program to the organizations that produce products and packaging. Under the old system, communities shared the costs. 

Starting July 1, 2023, communities began transitioning their Blue Box programs to this new extended producer responsibility framework. During the transition period (July 1-December 31 2025), you won’t notice any difference in the materials you can recycle however it is not known at this time whether there will be a change to your collection day. What’s changing is who is responsible for funding and operating the recycling system. 

Once the transition to the new framework is complete in 2026, producers will be fully accountable and financially responsible for recycling the products and packaging that end up in recycling bins. 

A: Circular Materials is the administrator of the common collection system and a not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.  

Recycling in Ontario - Circular Materials 

Reg. 391/21: BLUE BOX 

Updates to the Blue Box Transition Schedule | Environmental Registry of Ontario 

A: There will be no changes to where your residential recycling is picked up or to the materials collected during the Transition period. Collection dates are subject to change in the future to the discretion of Circular Materials.

A: Emterra Group is the Contractor who was awarded the contract for recycling pickup services. 

A: Yes, residents can continue to bring their recycling material to the three Township Landfill Sites, Sheffield, Moscow and Camden East when open until the end of the 2025 season. Starting January 1, 2026, Circular Materials will fully manage Ontario’s Blue Box program and any future program changes will be made at their discretion.