PEEL REGION — Disposable cups from Tim Hortons and other food and beverage outlets are no longer destined for landfill in Peel Region, as new province-wide recycling rules take effect in 2026.
Residents in Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon can now place hot and cold beverage cups directly into their blue bins, following changes aimed at standardizing recycling practices across Ontario.
As of January 1, responsibility for residential recycling programs in Peel Region has shifted to Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization overseeing a more uniform system across municipalities. Despite the administrative change, residents will continue using their existing blue bins, with no changes to collection schedules.
The updated guidelines expand the list of acceptable recyclable items, reducing confusion and contamination that previously resulted from differing municipal rules. Newly accepted materials include:
- Hot and cold beverage cups, including coffee and soft drink cups
- Shredded paper
- Ice cream containers
- Small flexible packaging such as chip bags, snack wrappers and cereal liner bags
- Aluminum foil items
Coffee cups, long debated by environmental advocates, were previously excluded in Peel due to their plastic lining. Advances in recycling processes now allow these items to be properly sorted and reused, diverting significant waste from landfills.
In addition to the newly accepted items, residents can continue recycling glass containers, metals, foam packaging, flexible plastics, plastic containers, paper and cardboard.
However, some items previously accepted are no longer permitted in blue bins, including soft-cover books and alcoholic beverage containers.
The changes mark a major step toward a simpler, more consistent recycling system across Ontario, helping residents recycle with greater confidence while supporting environmental sustainability goals.