Grey Box Recycling Collection
Grey Boxes are collected weekly in all municipalities. There's no limit to the amount of recyclables that can be placed at the curb.
Place your Grey Box at the curb with your garbage by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day. Don't place your Grey Box at the curb any earlier than 5 p.m. the day before collection.
Acceptable Items
Search for an item to find out how to dispose of it.
- List of acceptable Grey Box materials
Click on each item below for more information.
Preparing your Grey Box
- Flatten and tie large pieces of cardboard
Cardboard may be placed next to your recycling containers only if it's flattened and tied. Cardboard must not exceed 90 cm x 90 cm x 90 cm (3' x 3' x 3') in size. - Save space by stuffing materials
Collapse smaller boxboard materials and place them inside larger boxes - Plastic bags go in your Grey Box
Acceptable plastic bags should be recycled in your Grey Box. Stuff all of your plastic bags into a separate bag, tie it and then place on top of the Grey Box. - Clean materials before recycling
Make sure items are free of food before placing them in the Grey Box - Prevent items from blowing away
Get tips on how you can manage your Grey Box items on windy days
Learn more about proper sorting and preparation for select materials known to cause problems at the Region's recycling centre because sorting your recycling matters.
Buying and/or Replacing a Broken Grey Box
Grey Boxes are for sale at locations across the region. Broken containers can be replaced free-of-charge. Grey Boxes and other curbside recycling containers are also available for purchase online, with pick-up at select locations.
Restrictions for Grey Box Substitute Containers
Residents may also use any other rigid, reusable container for curbside collection as long as it meets these size and weight restrictions and contents are clearly identifiable as acceptable materials.
Size Limitations for Alternate Containers
- Height: 91 cm (36")
- Diameter: 61 cm (24") roundness
- Weight: 22.7 kg (50 lbs) when full
Benefits of Using the Grey Box
Using the Grey Box diverts waste from landfill and saves natural resources by limiting the amount of raw materials required to produce new products.
For example, household paper is turned into more paper or made into paper towels. Grey Box materials are sorted and sold which offsets program costs to the taxpayer.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
