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.
Changes to the blue box program
The Province of Ontario is changing the Blue Box Program. Discover what Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is and how it will affect blue box recycling in the near future.
Blue Box Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) |
In June 2021, the Province of Ontario announced a new recycling regulation that hugely changes Ontario’s blue box program.
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Waterloo Region’s transition to EPR |
On March 2, 2024, the Region of Waterloo shifts its blue box program to the producers.
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Benefits of EPR |
The benefits of having producers of products and packaging waste responsible for the collection and recycling of the material include:
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EPR next steps |
Once Blue Box program details are available and the impacts to the Region’s waste management system are clearer, staff will update the Region’s website with more information about who to contact. |
EPR related Council Reports |
August 15, 2023 - Blue Box Transition Update - Next Steps (report and presentation slides page 185) January 10, 2023 - Blue Box Transition Update August 10, 2021 - Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 321-21) Update June 16, 2020 - TES –WMS – 20-02 Blue Box Transition to Full Producer Responsibility Update and Committee Resolution June 18, 2019 - Blue Box Program Update |
Organizations leading EPR |
Circular Materials (CM) |
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.
What are the correct blue boxes to use? |
If you are a new homeowner or renter in Waterloo Region, have moved within the last six months and receive curbside collection, bring proof of your new/changed address and pick up a set of blue boxes:
The set of blue boxes helps you sort your recyclables into two blue boxes: a smaller blue box for paper products and plastic bags, and the larger blue box for glass, metal, plastic and carton containers. We have stickers to help your household sort recyclables. Email us your order or call our Customer Service Call Centre at 519-575-4400, available 24 hours a day, every day. ![]() Do you have a broken blue box?Please bring it to one of our waste drop-off sites to exchange it for a new one. We will recycle your broken box. Missing or stolen blue boxes cannot be replaced. Do you need extra blue boxes?These can be purchased at local retailers; please purchase blue boxes that we can collect safely and efficiently:
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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 into one blue box and paper products and plastic bags into another blue box. The advantages of this sorting system are: ![]()
Get introduced to the two-box sort. Box 1 - Containers Only blue boxAccepts the following types of packaging that contained a food, beverage, cleaning, personal or pet care product:
Preparation tips: Empty. Rinse. Do not bag. Put items in loose. 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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Frequently asked questions |
1. 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:
2. 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. The type of plastic packaging we accept in our program are "containers"; they had to contain something when you purchased the product, such as a plastic jug that contained soap, or a plastic bag that contained bread. 3. 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:
4. Why can't I recycle stand-up pouches? 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. 5. Lids and Labels - on or off?
6. 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. 7. 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. |
Did you know that recycling is a proud tradition in Waterloo Region? The first Blue Box program was invented here!
Collection contractors drop off blue box recyclables at the Nyle Ludloph Materials Recycling Centre, located at 925 Erb Street West (Gate 1), Waterloo.
Wondering how to recycle or dispose of a certain item? Ask the Waste Whiz.
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