This page contains information for all blue box users. If you live at an apartment building or townhouse complex and use large recycling carts, please go to our Cart recycling page.
Watch this short video on how to sort and prepare your recyclables.
Wondering how to recycle or dispose of a certain item? Ask the Waste Whiz.
If your blue box was not collected,
- Check for an "Oops!" sticker. The collection crew might have left a sticker indicating a problem.
- If there is no sticker and your blue box was set out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, please keep it out at the curb and use our online form to report your concern. Or contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400, but please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls at this time (related to the pandemic).
Did you know that recycling is a proud tradition in Waterloo Region? The first Blue Box program was invented here!
What goes in? |
We collect recyclables that are prepared and sorted using the two-box sorting system. The two-box sorting system is when you sort "containers" (cans, cartons, bottles and jars) into one blue box and "paper products and paper bags" (newspaper, flattened and bundled boxes, and bagged bags) into another blue box. The advantages of this sorting system are: ![]()
Box 1 - "Containers" blue boxAccepts the following types of packaging that contained a food, beverage, cleaning, personal or pet care product:
How to prepare: ![]() Empty. Rinse. Do not bag. Put items in loose. Watch this short video. COVID-19 update: If you are sick, do not put in any items that touched your face, such as pop cans, and juice cartons. NO broken glass, dishware, light bulbs, containers with food, appliances, car parts, candy wrappers, chip bags, cardboard cans, coffee pods, clothes baskets and hangers, straws, Styrofoam, toys, wooden orange crates. Box 2 - "Paper products and plastic bags" blue box![]()
NO gloves, masks, sanitizing wipes, stand-up pouches, zippered bags, liner bags from cereal/cracker boxes and other bags that make a "crinkle" sound, bags that contained meat or cheese, biodegradable bags, mesh bags, bubble wrap, diapers, foil or plastic wrapping paper, bows, ribbons. No furnace filters.
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Collection schedule and rules |
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Options for dealing with recyclables |
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Tips |
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Frequently asked questions
Why can't all types of packaging and products be accepted in the Blue Box program? |
Some items cannot go into the blue box because: ![]()
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What does the "recycling symbol" mean? |
The triangular loop made out of arrows (Mobius loop), as pictured above, is a symbol that identifies the type of plastic from which an item is made. Each number inside of the loop represents a different plastic. This symbol does not mean it is accepted in our local recycling program.
Please note that Number 6 plastic is Polystyrene. This plastic comes in different forms and some of these forms are not accepted in our Blue Box program. Examples include plastic cutlery, Styrofoam meat trays, packing blocks and peanuts. |
How can I fit more into my blue box? |
If your blue box is overflowing with recyclables, it can create litter. Here are some tips to fit more into your blue box:
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Why can't I recycle stand-up pouches? |
Stand-up pouches are a very common type of packaging, but are not accepted in our program. The layers of different types of plastics that make these pouches lightweight and strong, are difficult to separate and recycle. Current recycling markets want plastic bags which are made out of only one type of plastic. This allows for the bags to be turned into pellets that have consistent qualities, including melting temperature. These pellets can then be used to make other products, such as garbage bags. Costly problems are created if different types of plastic/pellets are mixed in, such as holes in garbage bags. |
Lids and Labels - on or off? |
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Can I recycle cardboard cans? |
A cardboard can is made out of mix of materials, including a metal top and/or bottom, a paper tube, and sometimes a foil peel-away freshness seal and plastic lid. Frozen juice, coffee, and chips are some of the products typically packaged in cardboard cans. In our recycling program, each type of material has to be sorted and sent to a different recycling market. If cardboard cans are taken apart, plastic lids and metal ends can be recycled with other food and beverage containers, but the other parts including the paper tube (which contains too much glue for paper markets to accept) have to be put in the garbage. If the cardboard can is not disassembled, then it has to be put in the garbage. |
Can I use a lid or net to cover my blue box? What about using carts? |
No, at this time blue box lids and nets, and carts are not acceptable to use in our Blue Box program. Background: Overfilled blue boxes and high winds can create litter and reduce the amount of recyclables collected. To try to find a solution to these issues, municipalities have tested various types of lids and nets on blue boxes. Unfortunately, lids and nets create several challenges and increase collection time and costs. Some of the issues include difficulty in removing, becoming entangled, blowing away after collection, and freezing in cold weather. In many municipalities, all recyclables are collected together in one cart. While this reduces litter, it affects the quality of recyclables:
In comparison, the Region of Waterloo's two-box sort system produces quality, marketable recyclables. Our rate of unacceptable material averages between six to eight per cent. As well, it is important to note that the responsibility for blue box recycling is changing in Ontario, shifting away from municipalities. By the end of 2025, producers of the different types of recyclables are expected to be fully responsible to set up, monitor and report on blue box programs. Given this, the Region of Waterloo is not making any changes or additions to our local recycling program. |
How can I make sure my cardboard is collected? Why do I have to bundle it? |
More online shopping and home deliveries are resulting in more cardboard. But for collection crews to be able to fit it into their truck, and to prevent litter in our community, cardboard has to be prepared properly. Here are the steps to take:
Properly prepared cardboard also makes collection efficient. More cardboard is collected and recycled, and bundles are easy to pick up compared with loose pieces. As well, cardboard stuffed in boxes can fall out, and unflattened boxes would reduce truck capacity. Are there other options to recycle it? Yes. Cardboard can be dropped off at the Region's waste management sites (fees will apply). At our sites, cardboard still has to be flattened to fit through the fence which is around the bin, but oversized pieces are accepted. |
What happens to my recyclables? Where do they go? |
Our collection contractors drop off blue box recyclables at our Nyle Ludloph Materials Recycling Centre, located at 925 Erb Street West (Gate 1), Waterloo. For more information (including a video) about our recycling centre, go to our Landfill and Recycling Centre page. |
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