Cart recycling
This page is for schools and residents living in multi-unit buildings in Waterloo Region that use large recycling carts. If you use blue boxes, please go to our Blue Box page.
Blue and Grey Cart recycling program
Who is eligible for recycling carts? |
1. Multi-unit buildings (seven units or more)Under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act, Regulation 103/94, recycling is mandated at multi-unit buildings with six or more units. Building owners must start, promote and manage their own recycling programs at their own cost. We support owners by offering the Blue and Grey Cart Recycling program:
Email us for more information about the Blue and Grey Cart Recycling program. 2. SchoolsSchools in Waterloo Region are eligible for the Blue and Grey Cart Recycling program. To join this program,
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What goes in recycling carts? |
The Blue and Grey Cart program recycles the same items as our Blue Box program. However, there are some differences in preparing and sorting paper products. We supply three types of carts for different types of recyclables. To help residents sort, we have two colours of carts: blue for "containers", and grey for "paper products and plastic bags". 1. Blue "Containers" cart:Accepts packaging that contained a food, drink, cleaning, personal or pet care product at the point of purchase:
How to prepare:
Do not put in: Broken glass, dishware, light bulbs, containers with food, appliances and electronic waste, car parts, candy wrappers, chip bags, cardboard cans, coffee pods, clothes baskets and hangers, straws, Styrofoam, toys, wooden orange crates. And due to COVID-19, if you are sick, place any item that has come into contact with your face into the garbage. 2. Grey "Paper products and plastic bags" cart:Accepts the following materials:
How to prepare:
Do not put in: 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, mesh bags, bubble wrap, diapers, foil or plastic wrapping paper, bows, ribbons. No furnace filters. 3. Grey "Corrugated Cardboard" cart:Flatten and size corrugated cardboard to fit into the cart. Do not bundle. Do not put in: Plastic bags, shrink wrap, shipping materials (such as air pillows, packing peanuts, Styrofoam), metal/glass/plastic containers. |
Collection schedule and rules for recycling carts |
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Recycling tips and FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) |
Prevent litter and maximize recycling:
Top four reasons to recycle
What happens to recyclables?Recyclables get sorted at our Nyle Ludolph Materials Recycling Centre (NLMRC), located at 925 Erb Street West (Gate 1), Waterloo. To learn more about the NLMRC and how your sorting makes a difference, please click on the link above. |
Green Cart organics program
Who is eligible for green carts? |
The Region's Green Cart organics program is available to all public and private schools that receive our Blue and Grey Cart Recycling program. How to join the program:
Note: The Region is running a Green Cart organics pilot program for a few apartment buildings and townhouse complexes. The information below is applicable to those participating in the pilot. If you want more information about this pilot, please email us. |
What goes in green carts? |
This program accepts the same materials as our Green Bin program.
Do not put in: Glass, metal, plastic. Beverage cups, including coffee cups. Chewing gum, cigarette butts, cleaning wipes, coffee pods, corks, condiment packets, cutlery, diapers, dirt/vacuum sweepings, water softener salt, wax, yard waste. |
Collection schedule and rules for green carts |
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Other resources:
- If you are an owner of a multi-unit property, check out our Landlords and Property Managers page.
- Refer to our Publications and Resources page for collection guidelines, brochures, posters and videos.
- Refer to Regional Waste By-Law 17-007 and Bans for collection and disposal restrictions.
- Contact our Call Centre 519-575-4400, available 24 hours a day, every day.
- Are you a teacher or property manager interested in booking a presentation? Check out our Education program for booking details and online resources, too!
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