Changes coming to Ontario’s recycling program: Here’s what we know so far

Starting next year, Ontarians will be able to recycle more items. The changes come as part of the transition to the new Blue Box system that shifts responsibility of recycling operations and costs to producers.

The changes have been slowly phased in at various municipalities across Ontario since 2023, with the goal of being fully implemented by 2026.

In Hamilton, the transition began in April 2025.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, the organizations who handle Ontario’s recycling program will be able to change what items are, or aren’t, accepted for collection. The companies, known as producer responsibility organizations, are required to inform users of the changes when they are made.

For now, this means people in Ontario will be able to recycle plastic-lined coffee cups, deodorant, toothpaste tubes, ice cream tubs, black plastic containers and frozen juice containers.

Though the specifics very by municipality, materials that are generally accepted for recycling right now include metal and plastic containers, paper, cardboard, glass, and beverage containers.

To clarify what’s accepted and what isn’t, Circular Materials – one of the producers responsibility organizations in charge of the recycling program – will release a standardized list in the near future. 

Circular Materials says the producer-centered program enables innovation and operational efficiencies. For example, recycling plastic-lined coffee cups began as a pilot project aimed at reducing the amount of waste generated by the product.

Aside from expansions in the types of materials suitable for Blue Box, there are no changes to how the boxes are used. Users are still asked to rinse out any containers before recycling, and Hamiltonians will continue separating paper and plastic items.

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