New changes to Waterloo Region’s blue box program
Starting March 2, 2024, the Region of Waterloo will no longer collect, sort or sell residential recyclables through the blue box program. These changes are mostly behind the scenes, and there are no immediate changes for residents. The same items go in your blue box and pickup will stay the same as your current recycling schedule.
A new provincial regulation has moved the blue box program from municipalities to producers. Companies that create the packaging and other recyclable materials collected in the blue box program, are now fully responsible for the waste they create.
You can also learn more in our latest podcast episode, where we look at responsible recycling and the emerging concept of holding producers responsible for the lifecycle of their packaging.
There are many benefits in this new, province-wide system. Giving producers the responsibility of recycling their own packaging is the most effective and efficient way to promote waste diversion, align packaging costs up to and including their end-of-life and to give producers incentive to redesign packaging and increase recyclability.
Between July 2023 and December 2025, all Ontario municipalities and First Nations, including the Region of Waterloo, are switching to this new program. As you can imagine, this change is complex and will take some time. A private sector organization, Circular Materials, is running the blue box program on behalf of the producers. Learn more at circularmaterials.ca/waterlooregion.
While the blue box program administration changes March 2, the usual garbage and bulky item collection, yard waste and green bin collection at the curb does not change and is still handled by the Region of Waterloo.
Things that stay the same:
- Your collection day
- Keep doing the two-box sort
- List of acceptable recyclable items
- Garbage, bulky item, yard waste and food waste programs
Things that change:
- Residents should contact Circular Materials’ contractors for blue box issues or concerns
Starting March 2, 2024, these Circular Materials contactors are the point of contact for Waterloo Region residents who have recycling questions or need blue box assistance:
- If you live in Cambridge, Kitchener or Waterloo contact Miller Waste Systems. Email area22@millerwaste.ca or phone 1-888-852-3450
- If you live in North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot or Woolwich contact Emterra Environmental. Email customercareont@emterra.ca or phone 1-888-597-1541
