What to know<\/p>\n
Starting in 2026, the city will no longer manage recycling, with Circular Materials taking over blue bin collection for homes, apartments, schools, and long-term care facilities.<\/p>\n
Most aspects of the program will remain unchanged, though residents must now contact Circular Materials directly for issues, and some new items will be accepted.<\/p>\n
The shift comes under Ontario\u2019s Extended Producer Responsibility system, which moves recycling duties from municipalities to producers.<\/p>\n
The City of Toronto is reminding residents that it will no longer be responsible for managing recycling in 2026, as a private company will be taking over the blue bin program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During a press conference on Thursday, city officials spoke about upcoming changes to the program, which will change how recycling will be handled for single-family homes, multi-residential buildings, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, and schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starting Jan. 1, the City of Toronto will no longer be responsible for collecting and managing recyclables<\/a>, with management of the system being taken over by private company Circular Materials<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Solid Waste Management Services General Manager Matt Keliher says the city has been working diligently to ensure that the transition is smooth for residents and the new service provider, and says the change should not affect the effectiveness of the system.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRecycling is one of the simplest ways that we can reduce the amount of materials that goes to landfills and extend the life of our precious landfill resources,\u201d he said to reporters on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe city is fully committed to ensuring the smooth transition, but also that we, as a city, divert as much material as possible. So, please continue to recycle, continue to use your [blue] bins, continue to go to our [Community] Environment Days.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n WHAT WILL CHANGE WITH THE BLUE BIN PROGRAM<\/p>\n Keliher says the transition won\u2019t have many significant changes for residents, who can continue to put their recyclables into the blue bins for collection. Recycling days will also not change for residents, and still follow the same pick-up schedule in the new year.<\/p>\n