Blue Box Recycling

Blue Box Recycling Changes Effective January 1, 2026 

Effective January 1, 2026, the Province of Ontario has mandated changes to recycling programs. Under this new provincial regulation, curbside collection will no longer be available for properties and organizations that have been deemed non-eligible under the provincial program.

This change is a provincial decision and not one made by the Municipality of West Grey. 

With the transition to Circular Materials, IC&I properties will no longer be eligible for municipally-provided Blue Box recycling collection services. These properties are referred to as “Non-Eligible Sources.”

What does this mean for you: 

• As a business/organization that falls into this non-eligible category, you will need to manage your recycling independently beginning January 1, 2026.
• The green recycling carts that your business may have received in the fall will be picked up by the province’s contractor (Waste Management) during the week of January 5, 2026.  Please make sure carts are empty.
• Curbside waste collection is continuing as usual across the Municipality.
• Residential units within mixed-use properties will continue to receive recycling collection with no changes.
• You can continue to recycle materials free of charge at any of the municipal Waste and Diversion sites.

Why Is This Transition Happening?

The Government of Ontario introduced the Blue Box Regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act as part of its strategy to build a waste-free Ontario.

This regulation shifts responsibility for the Blue Box Program from municipalities to producers of packaging and paper products. Producers are now fully responsible for:

• Funding the program
• Operating collection systems
• Meeting recycling performance targets
• Reporting to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA)

By placing full responsibility on producers, the new system creates stronger incentives to reduce waste, improve recycling outcomes, and support Ontario’s circular economy helping reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and reliance on natural resources.