In June 2021, the Province of Ontario announced a new recycling regulation that hugely changes Ontario’s blue box program.
- The new Blue Box Regulation (amended) shifts the responsibility for providing recycling services, including funding and operation, away from municipalities onto producers who create products and packaging. This shift includes the curbside collection, blue box material sorting, processing and recycling of material, as well as resident education and promotion.
- Shifting all of Ontario’s current municipally run blue box programs to full producer responsibility will take place over a three-year period between July 2023 and December 2025.
- The Region of Waterloo will continue to manage the curbside collection of garbage, bulky items and appliances, green bins, yard waste and seasonal holiday tree collection.
