Ontario's 2026 Blue Box Transition

All municipalities in Ontario will be moving to the province's new recycling system as of January 1, 2026.  The new recycling collection system will be fully funded and operated by producers of recycling materials. This new system is designed to:

  • Encourage producers to reduce waste
  • Create a more efficient system by standardizing what can be recycled across Ontario
  • Reduce waste put into landfills
  • Create a simpler, consistent system for users by standardizing what can be recycled across Ontario

Please read below to understand how it will affect both homeowners and businesses.  

Frequently Asked Questions

The upcoming changes to waste and recycling collection will affect Residential and Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) properties differently.

Homeowners will see minimal changes—curbside collection continues as usual but with an increased number of types.   

Businesses and institutions, will see bigger changes, including the end of curbside recycling collection.

Go to these links to find out more.

The new system will start as of January 1, 2026.  

Curbside collection will continue on the same schedule and at the same bi-weekly frequency. Go to 

You can pick up a copy of the 2025 schedule at the Township office, local retailers, or at the links below. Go to Live Here/Garbage & Recycling for the 2026 map and dates. 

The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has introduced new legislation that shifts the financial and operational responsibility for recycling from municipalities to the producers of the packaging.  

This new collection model aligns with the Blue Box Regulation made under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act and is a key part of the province's Strategy for a Waste Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy.

The new consolidated system of collection is designed to create efficiencies across the province by standardizing what is recycled and reduce waste going into our landfills. 

Yes. The new common collection system for residential recycling will be implemented province-wide across Ontario in all municipalities including First Nations communities.

We can recycle more than ever before! See Homeowner and Residents or Business and Institutions to find the details on "What Can I Recycle"

 

No, our trucks do not have the capability to dump large rolling bins. Additionally, the large carts are too difficult for employees to manage by hand or access what is at the bottom. Please use blue bins as we do currently. 

You can put out as many blue boxes as you need to.  Please be consistent with sorting into 2 streams: Fiber and Containers. See What Can I Recycle under Homeowners. 

Blue boxes may be purchased at the Municipal Office, 21 Queen St, or the Huron Landfill site, 2087 Concession 6 E for $16.00/box. You can also purchase blue boxes from local retailers at their listed price. 

The Blue Box Regulation details in Part II who is considered a producer. Specifically, this includes Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) properties who will no longer receive blue box services through the new system. 

This means many businesses will be affected as the new system requires producers to be responsible for:

  • collecting and recycling their blue box materials
  • reporting to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority
  • meeting targets for materials they recycle

By placing full financial, operational, and performance accountability for the blue box program on the producers of blue box materials, the Ontario government looks to create a direct incentive to reduce waste and improve recycling which will then decrease natural resource extraction and pollution, including greenhouse gases.

Multi-unit residences that have had curbside collection for recyclables, will continue to have curbside collection. New multi-unit builds who do not have curbside collection will need approval from Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA) to be added.  

Properties that have both a residential unit and a commercial unit ie. retail store with apartment on second floor, will have to follow the two systems. The residence will receive blue box curbside collection for recyclables as it has in the past. The commercial unit will have to manage their own recyclables. Please see the Businesses and Institutions section for details. 

ICI stands for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional properties. These include:

  • Campgrounds
  • Churches and Places of Worship
  • Commercial farms
  • Daycares
  • Not for profits 
  • Private sector businesses
  • Public Buildings such as libraries, arenas, municipal and administrative facilities

The Extended Producer Responsibility model changes who is responsible for the collection, processing, and recycling of materials. It requires those who design, create, and market products to be responsible through its entire life cycle.

This shift encourages more effective production and management of packaging with a goal of overall waste reduction.

A common collection system means that all municipalities and First Nations communities in Ontario will have the same capabilities to recycle the same materials. 

If you are a Homeowner/Resident and you have questions or concerns about your blue box, please call: Bruce Area Solid Waste and Recycling (BASWR)  at 1-800-794-9770.

If you are a Business/Institution and have questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at the Township of Huron-Kinloss 519-395-3735 or info@huronkinloss.com

To learn more about the new Blue Box Program in general, visit Circular Materials for Ontario. You can also contact Circular Materials at 1-877-667-2626 or info@circularmaterials.ca.

 

 


Homeowners and Residents

Residential properties will remain eligible for curbside blue box collection under the new provincial model. Here's what to expect as a homeowner, starting January 1, 2026: 

What remains the same:

  • The collection frequency and dates will remain the same.
  • Blue bins will continue to be used for curbside collection.
  • All recyclables must continue to be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged).
  • The collection contractor, Bruce Area Solid Waste and Recycling (BASWR) will remain the same.

What will change:

  • You will be able to recycle more materials than every before including corrugated cardboard!
  • Blue Box materials will need to be sorted into 2 streams: Fibers and Containers
  • Due to new regulations, cardboard depots in Point Clark, Lucknow, and Ripley will be removed
  • Due to new regulations, public recycling bins at the Huron Landfill will be removed

What Can I Recycle?

See a complete list of the newly accepted materials here or go to the Circular Materials website.

 

Questions?

Still have questions? Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section or contact the Public Works Department at the Township office. 


Business and Institutions

While the Township of Huron-Kinloss has historically offered recycling service to support our business community, new regulations mean these properties are not eligible for curb side recycling collection.

If you are an Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional (ICI) property, here is what you can expect for recycling collection starting January 1, 2026: 

What Will Change?

  • ICI properties, which include businesses, farms, places of worship, daycares, not-for-profit organizations, and municipal/public facilities, will no longer be provided with curbside Blue Box collection through the Blue Box Program.
  • Public recycling depots at the Huron and Kinloss Landfills, as well as cardboard recycling bins in Point Clark, Ripley, and Lucknow, will be removed.
  • ICI properties must make a decision on how to manage their own recyclable waste. 

What Are My Options?

  • Township Council has approved a recycling depot for business use only at the Huron Landfill.
  • The depot will be open to businesses on Mondays and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Recyclables taken to the depot will be at no cost to the user.
  • If you are a heavy user, you may choose to arrange for private collection.  

What Do I Need to Do to Use the Business Depot at the Landfill? 

Please register to use the Business Depot by filling out the

          Landfill Account Application Form

What Can My Business Recycle?

The types of recyclables for businesses has expanded but is slightly different than for homeowners. See the new list of recyclables for businesses below. We anticipate that an expanded list will develop in the future.

Questions?

Still have questions? Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section or contact the Public Works Department at the Township office. 

Contact Us

Manager of Environmental Services
Township of Huron-Kinloss
21 Queen St. P.O. Box 130
Ripley ON N0G 2R0

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