Toronto residents can expect a major shift in how their recycling is managed starting January 1, 2026, as the City of Toronto will no longer oversee residential Blue Bin recycling collection. Instead, responsibility for the program will transition to Circular Materials, a new service provider appointed under Ontario Regulation 391/21, also known as the Blue Box Regulation. This move reflects a broader provincial initiative to hold producers fully accountable—both operationally and financially—for the materials they put into the market.
The change will affect recycling services for residential homes, schools, long-term care facilities, and retirement homes across Toronto. However, the City will continue managing recycling collection for commercial properties, city divisions, charities, institutions, and religious organizations, ensuring a clear divide in service administration.
To ensure a smooth transition, the City will begin placing informational stickers on residential Blue Bins starting in May 2025. These labels will provide residents with key details about Circular Materials, including how to report issues like missed collections or damaged bins once the new provider takes over in 2026.
Until December 31, 2025, however, it’s business as usual. Residents should continue to follow current recycling guidelines and direct any issues or service requests to 3-1-1, the city’s existing customer support system.
This policy marks a significant change in municipal waste management, with the broader aim of making producers responsible for the full lifecycle of their packaging and products. The hope is that by shifting both the cost and control of recycling services to the companies that generate packaging waste, it will drive better outcomes in recycling rates, innovation, and environmental responsibility.