Ontario’s blue box recycling program is set for a major overhaul next year, making it easier for residents to recycle more types of packaging and household materials. But while new items will be added to the list of accepted recyclables, some common products still won’t be allowed in the blue box.
Circular Materials, the national not-for-profit organization administering Ontario’s new common collection system, says the goal is to standardize recycling rules across the province and improve recovery rates. Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario will complete its transition to an extended producer responsibility framework, shifting the financial and operational responsibility for blue box recycling from municipalities to the producers of paper and packaging products.
Under the new rules, a single unified list of accepted materials will apply to all Ontario municipalities. Circular Materials CEO Allen Langdon confirmed that several new items will be accepted provincewide by the start of the year, including hot and cold beverage cups (such as coffee cups), deodorant and toothpaste tubes, ice cream tubs, black plastic containers, and frozen juice containers.
“These enhancements will make recycling easier for residents, improving recovery rates and benefiting both people and the environment,” Langdon said in an email. He added that a provincewide communications campaign this fall will inform residents about the changes.
However, not everything will be eligible for curbside collection. Alcohol containers, for example, must continue to be returned to The Beer Store for refunds and are not considered “blue box material,” even if they’re glass, aluminum, or plastic. Other excluded items include anything not primarily made of paper, glass, metal, or plastic; pharmaceuticals or sharps; batteries and hazardous materials; and any packaging that becomes unsanitary to recycle after use.
Residents will also need to keep certain household goods out of their blue boxes, including books, clothing, ceramics, toys, and pots and pans. Circular Materials is encouraging people to use local donation centres or other appropriate disposal methods for these items.
According to Ontario’s blue box regulations, only materials officially classified as “blue box” material will be accepted. By introducing a consistent set of rules and expanding accepted items, the province hopes to boost recycling efficiency and improve waste diversion rates.
For full details on what can and cannot go in the blue box starting in 2026, residents can visit Circular Materials’ website.