Residential Blue Box / Grey Box Transition
All Niagara Region projects

About the project

From July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025 all existing residential Blue Box programs in Ontario - and Grey Box in Niagara - will move to a single provincial collection system that is fully funded, overseen and operated by producers of recycling materials.

Producers are those that supply Blue / Grey Box material (packaging, paper products or packaging-like products) made up of paper, glass, metal or plastic, or a combination of these materials to consumers.

Previously, gross costs of residential recycling collection programs were split approximately 50/50 between municipalities (taxpayer) and producers of Blue / Grey Box recycling materials.

Under the new full producer responsibility framework, Circular Materials Ontario will administer and manage contracts to collect and receive Blue / Grey Box material.

This change will affect:

• Low density residential / single family homes
• Multi-residential properties
• Specified non-profit / municipal long-term and retirement homes
• Specific public spaces, such as parks, playgrounds, sidewalks
• Public / private schools
• Residential components of mixed-use buildings

What this means for Niagara Region and its residents

• How this affects Niagara Region

  As of Jan. 1, 2024, Circular Materials Ontario will take over the delivery of residential Blue / Grey Box recycling collection services currently administered by Niagara Region. This could be done through negotiation with the existing service providers (Miller Waste Systems and GFL Environmental).

  Niagara Region will maintain collection of:

  • Curbside garbage
  • Large household items
  • Organics (Green Bin)
  • Leaf and yard waste
  • All materials from industrial, commercial and some institutional establishments

  Changes to the program and other financial impacts will be budgeted in the 2024 budget for Council's consideration.
  

• Waste collection schedule and items

  Residential properties should not expect a change to their collection day or collection frequency (once per week) because Circular Material Ontario must maintain current service levels during the transition period (until Dec. 31, 2025).

  On Jan. 1, 2026, Circular Material Ontario can make changes to the service and will be responsible for informing residents.

  Changes to items collected

  • As of January 1, 2024, some materials that Niagara Region currently collects, such as books and flexible plastics used for the containment of food (for example, sandwich bags and freezer bags) will no longer be accepted
  • As of January 1, 2026, some items will be added to the Blue Box program which were previously not accepted, including straws, cutlery and plates, and multi-laminate packaging like drink pouches and frozen food pouches
  • Circular Materials Ontario will be promoting that Blue Box material should not be placed inside plastic bags when set out for collection as they cause problems at processing facilities
• Distribution and replacement of Blue / Grey Box recycling containers

  The new Blue Box regulation assigned the responsibility of distribution and replacement of recycling containers to Circular Materials Ontario and its contracted recycling collection service provider.

  Niagara Region will still be responsible for the distribution of Green Bins.

  For non-residential properties, see our recycling cart order form.

• Recycling depots

  During the transition, Circular Materials Ontario will need to operate the same number of depots for the collection of recycling from eligible sources in eligible communities. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, as per the regulation, they do not have any obligation to do so.

  A report will go to Council in September on providing this service on behalf of producers.

  Niagara Region will still be responsible for collection of other materials at the drop-off depots, such as garbage and household hazardous waste.

• Industrial, commercial and institutional establishments

  Industrial, commercial and some institutional establishments are NOT captured in the new Blue Box regulation. Blue Box recycling collection services to this non-eligible sector will continue to be the responsibility of Niagara Region subject to approval of Regional Council.

  A report will go to Council in September 2023. Any changes will be communicated to businesses in writing before the change.
  

• Contact and customer service

  As of Jan. 1, 2024, Circular Materials Ontario will provide customer service for inquiries related to residential Blue / Grey Box recycling collection. Information will be provided once available.

  Niagara Region will provide customer service for:

  • Curbside garbage
  • Large household items
  • Organics (Green Bin)
  • Leaf and yard waste
  • Industrial, commercial and some institutional establishments
  • Non-residential properties, such as businesses, commercial components of mixed-use buildings, municipal properties and places of worship

  For all inquiries related to Niagara Region's collection services, continue to contact the Waste Info-Line at 905-356-4141 or 1-800-594-5542.

Project timeline