Recycling and Blue Box

Everything in recycling needs to be loose (not inside other containers) and empty, clean and free of food or other contents. Separate plastic wrap used to cover items. No alcoholic beverage containers accepted. Cardboard and boxboard must be flattened and bundled (no larger than 60 cm x 60 cm). For more details visit circularmaterials.ca

Here are some common items that are accepted: 

Paper and fibre

• Boxboard (cereal, cracker, tissue boxes – flatten boxes)
• Cardboard boxes (shipping boxes, shoe boxes, pizza boxes – flatten boxes)
• Egg cartons
• Frozen food boxes
• Greeting cards
• Hot and cold beverage cups (remove lids)
• Milk and juice cartons, juice boxes, soup cartons (lids on)
• Newspaper, household paper and envelopes
• Paper laminate packaging (takeout bags and plates, pet food bags)
• Paper towel and toilet rolls
• Paper-based cans (frozen juice, cookie dough and coffee cans, chip cylinders - remove lids)
• Shredded paper (in tied, clear plastic bag)
   

Plastic and foam

• Plastic beverage bottles, jugs, takeout drink cups (lids on)
• Plastic food jars and tubs (peanut butter, yogurt, ice cream containers – lids on)
• Plastic bottles and containers (laundry detergent, shampoo and household cleaner bottles – lids on)
• Plastic cups, clamshells and food trays (lids on)
• Plastic tubes (deodorant, hand cream and toothpaste tubes – lids on)
• Flexible plastic bags (bread bags, shopping bags)
• Flexible plastic wrap and packaging (wrap for paper towels and toilet paper, cereal liner bags, chip bags, drink pouches)
• Foam packaging (meat trays, takeout cups, plates and containers, protective packaging) 

Metal

• Aerosol cans (lids on)
• Aluminum cans
• Aluminum foil, trays and plates
• Metal food cans and tins

Glass

• Glass bottles and jars (no alcoholic beverage containers, lids separate)
   

Items not accepted in the blue box include:

• Batteries (do not put in garbage, refer to Bindicator for safe drop-off locations)
• Clothing, linens, shoes, towels and other textiles (take reusable items to a donation centre)
• Mirrors, window glass and light bulbs
• Coffee pods
• Drinking glasses, cups, dishes, pots, pans and utensils
• Facial tissue, paper towels (these go in the green bin)
• Furnace filters
• Household hazardous waste like cleaners, compact fluorescent light bulbs, motor oil, needles and paint (take to a Household Hazardous Waste Depot)
• Lawn furniture, garden hose, string and rope
• Motor oil containers (take to a Household Hazardous Waste Depot)
• Plastic resealable snack / freezer bags
• Plastic toys (take reusable items to a donation centre)
• Propane tanks or cylinders (take to a Household Hazardous Waste Depot)

For information about specific items, use Bindicator

If you missed your curbside collection day or you have excess recycling, you can drop off your recyclables at:

• East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
• Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
• Georgina Transfer Station, Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
• McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre

For addresses and hours of operation, please visit york.ca/WasteDepots
 

Who do I contact if I have questions about my blue box / recycling cart collection? 

Contact GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL), at @email or call 1-833-779-4351 if you live in the:   

• Town of Aurora
• Town of East Gwillimbury
• Town of Georgina
• Township of King
• Town of Newmarket
• Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

If you live in the cities of Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan, contact Miller Waste at @email or call 1-855-752-3762.

Why did the blue box program change?

The new Blue Box Regulation was approved by the Ontario government to help create a waste-free province and build a circular economy. 

This change in blue box recycling means: 

• More items will be recycled
• The same items will be accepted in blue boxes across Ontario no matter where you live
• Any future change to what is allowed in the blue box or how those materials are collected and processed will be communicated to residents by Circular Materials

For questions about the new recycling program please contact Circular Materials at @email or call 1-877-667-2626.

Why are only some cities and towns using recycling carts?

This was a decision made by Circular Materials. They announced that carts are part of the blue box transition for the towns receiving collection from GFL Environmental Inc. Please note, these towns were not part of this decision as it is no longer their program or funded through their tax rate. 

For questions about the new recycling program please contact Circular Materials at @email or call 1-877-667-2626.

What can I do with my old blue boxes now that I have a recycling cart?

Blue boxes can be used for storage or repurposed for other uses around your home and garden. If you no longer need them, residents in the following towns will be able to drop off unwanted blue boxes at certain municipal facilities for a select period of time in January and February (dates to be determined):  

• Town of Aurora
• Town of East Gwillimbury
• Town of Georgina
• Township of King
• Town of Newmarket 

Please check with your local town for more details. 

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville will be collecting unwanted blue boxes directly from their residents the week of February 2 to 6, 2026. Please contact the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for more details.

All York Region residents can bring their unwanted blue boxes to the Georgina Transfer Station from January 5 to 31, 2026. Please visit york.ca/WasteDepots for address and hours. 

How do I exchange the cart I received for a smaller one?

Residents in Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket and Whitchurch-Stouffville can request an exchange by completing the online form at Circular Materials Ontario. Once there, search for your town, then click the link called “Recycling Cart Exchange Request Form and FAQ.”

What are some of the new items that can be recycled? 

Under the new Circular Materials program, the following items will be accepted for recycling: 

• Black plastic containers
• Deodorant holders
• Frozen juice containers
• Hot and cold plastic-lined, paper beverage cups
• Ice cream tubs
• Polystyrene foam packaging
• Plastic bags
• Toothpaste tubes

Will my property taxes go down now that the Region is no longer responsible for processing recycling?

Any savings from the blue box transition will be used to manage and enhance our existing waste programs and offset any rising operational costs due to inflation.

Where should I put shredded paper?

Put shredded paper in tied clear plastic bags in your blue box or recycling cart. 

To reduce the amount of shredded paper you produce, consider shredding only the small portion of the document that contains personal or sensitive information and recycle the remaining full sheets.

Shredded paper can also be placed in backyard composters, in your green bin (in small amounts) or dropped off in clear plastic bags at the Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre or the McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre.

For depot addresses and hours of operation, please visit york.ca/WasteDepots

Can I recycle foam packaging?

Foam packaging can be placed in your blue box or recycling cart. 

York Region waste depots do not currently accept foam packaging for recycling, but it can be dropped off as garbage at the following depots:

• Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
• Georgina Transfer Station, Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
• McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre

For depot addresses and hours of operation, please visit york.ca/WasteDepots

What happens next to our blue box recyclables? Who do I contact for more information?

For questions about the recycling process, contact Circular Materials at @email or call 1-877-667-2626.