As Ontario rolls out its new recycling program, things are getting off to a bumpy start. The organization responsible for collecting blue bins and boxes has announced some significant changes.
Circular Materials, the non-profit group working to streamline curbside recycling in the province, states that starting March 1, only items placed inside the recycling bins will be collected.
This means that blue recycling bags, large cardboard boxes, and other items left outside of the bin won’t be picked up.
The company mentions that additional recycling bins will soon be available for residents to help manage overflow waste.
Circular Materials hasn’t explained exactly why blue bags and excess items won’t be collected. However, there are hints that these bags often contain contaminated materials which can complicate the recycling process and jam sorting machines.
The transition to this new service hasn’t been easy; many households in Ontario have already faced issues with collection. Some neighborhoods have reported that blue recycling bags haven’t been picked up during recent collection days.
Additionally, there have been concerns about bins going weeks without being emptied, confusion over what can now go into the bins, a lack of information provided before the switch on Jan. 1, and difficulties people have had reaching Circular Materials.
Up until early 2026, municipalities were in charge of collecting recyclables in Ontario and each had different rules about what could go into blue bins and boxes. This created confusion for nearly everyone involved in the process and led to contamination issues when non-recyclable items ended up mixed in with recyclable ones.
For example, while some municipalities accepted take-out coffee cups from places like Tim Hortons before, others did not. Now these cups can be recycled across Ontario.
The Ontario government introduced this new model through Circular Materials to standardize procedures; this non-profit was established by 17 leading manufacturers of food, beverages, consumer products as well as restaurants and retailers including Costco, Mc Donald’s, Metro, Coca-Cola and Nestle.
The government claims this change will reduce municipal costs by making producers pay for their own waste while ensuring consistency throughout the province.
Circular Materials also states that later this month those who need an extra blue bin can request one by filling out a form on their website at circularmaterials. ca.
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Additionally, there have been concerns about bins going weeks without being emptied, confusion over what can now go into the bins, a lack of information provided before the switch on Jan. 1, and difficulties people have had reaching Circular Materials.
Up until early 2026, municipalities were in charge of collecting recyclables in Ontario and each had different rules about what could go into blue bins and boxes. This created confusion for nearly everyone involved in the process and led to contamination issues when non-recyclable items ended up mixed in with recyclable ones.
For example, while some municipalities accepted take-out coffee cups from places like Tim Hortons before, others did not. Now these cups can be recycled across Ontario.
The Ontario government introduced this new model through Circular Materials to standardize procedures; this non-profit was established by 17 leading manufacturers of food, beverages, consumer products as well as restaurants and retailers including Costco, Mc Donald’s, Metro, Coca-Cola and Nestle.
The government claims this change will reduce municipal costs by making producers pay for their own waste while ensuring consistency throughout the province.
Circular Materials also states that later this month those who need an extra blue bin can request one by filling out a form on their website at circularmaterials. ca.
Last 30 Days: 73,448 Votes
All Time: 1,160,046 Votes
4562 VOTES
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