Blue Box Transition

Wellington County's Blue Box programme transitioned on July 1, 2025.

Circular Materials with WM is now responsible for residential recycling in Wellington County.

For all related instruction regarding collection, new accepted materials, and contact information, please visit www.circularmaterials.ca/wellington

64 gallon rolling recycling carts green and yellow in colour

NEW - Expanded Recycling Cart Service for Businesses - Register Today!

The recycling cart programme that began in spring of 2025 is expanding to include a wider collection area of businesses in April this year.

Businesses located within the 14 identified urban collection areas will have the opportunity to register and begin receiving cart collection of their blue box recyclables.

Not sure if you are eligible? See our map listings below.

What is Blue Box Transition?

Blue Box Transition is a change to who looks after and pays for your residential recycling collection programme. Wellington County, Solid Waste Services Division has been responsible for administering this programme since 1991, but as of July 1, 2025, this role transferred to producers of printed papers and packaging (Producers).

Circular Materials is a producer responsibility organization (PRO) representing the majority of Producers now responsible for funding Ontario's blue box programme. Circular Materials is coordinating the transition process for all municipalities and First Nations across Ontario.

Want to learn more about these Province-wide changes? See our FAQ section.

Changes for Businesses

Under the new Blue Box Transition regulations, there is no obligation for Producers to provide service to industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors.

However, recognizing the importance to support local businesses, Wellington County Council adopted a motion to continue providing curbside recycling collection for businesses and institutions in 14 identified downtown areas across the County in the form of cart collection service. The service areas will be expanded in April 2026.

Additionally, businesses in and outside of the identified urban areas may opt to register for a minimum fee exemption card for blue box recyclables at County waste facilities.

Business Collection Areas

Beginning in April 2026, Solid Waste Services is expanding recycling cart collection service to a wider service area. Online registration begins in February.

During the first phase of this programme (February through August 2025) Wellington County staff visited businesses in the 14 identified downtown core areas. Information was delivered regarding registration for continued recycling collection service and the option to register for a recycling minimum fee exemption card applicable for blue box recyclables at our six (6) County waste facilities.

Please note that registration for the Recycling Minimum Fee Exemption Card remains available to all Wellington Business.

14 Identified Business Collection Areas

Maps

Please note that if your business borders the identified area shown on the maps, you may still qualify for cart service. Please reach out to Solid Waste Services directly to discuss options.

Business Recycling Collection Area Maps
Elora Map	Moorefield Map
Fergus Map	Drayton Map
Mount Forest Map	Hillsburgh Map
Arthur Map	Erin Map
Clifford Map	Rockwood Map
Harriston Map	Aberfoyle Map
Palmerston Map	Morriston Map

Searchable Address Tool

Recycling Minimum Fee Exemption Card

This exemption card gives Wellington County business owners the option to take acceptable business-generated recyclables to any of the six (6) County waste facilities without charge.

Please note that acceptable materials under the business recycling programme are different than the residential recycling programme. Please see FAQ Essential Information for Cart Placement, Collection, and Acceptable Materials

Resources and FAQs for Businesses

Registration Form for Collection and Minimum Fee Exemption Card

Essential Information for Cart Placement, Collection, and Acceptable Materials

Carts should be placed at least one (1) metre (three feet) apart from each other and/or other obstacles such as light posts, fire hydrants, benches, etc.
Face the lid opening toward the street, with the lid in the closed position
Collection is every Thursday starting at 6:00 am
All blue box recyclables go together in the same cart - single stream

Acceptable Materials must be loose in your cart (no bagging materials)

Containers (empty and rinsed): glass bottles and jars, metal cans, foil plates, rigid plastic bottles/jugs/tubs, plastic clamshells, drink boxes, cartons
Paper products: newspaper, flyers, magazines, directories, paperback books, printer paper, Kraft paper, paper bags, boxboard boxes, egg cartons, take-out trays, tubes and rolls, cardboard
Cardboard must be broken down into small pieces and placed inside the cart, and WILL NOT be collected if placed beside/outside the cart

Unacceptable Materials

Foam
Flexible Plastics (plastic bags)
Hot and Cold Beverage Cups (ie. coffee cups)
Household Hazardous Waste (ie. batteries, aerosol cans, light bulbs)
Organic / Food Waste

Will my business still be able to leave bundled cardboard out for collection?

No, the waste contractor who will be collecting recyclables will be using an automated system to collect materials from rolling carts in the 14 identified downtown areas. Cardboard needs to be added to your cart(s) and be set in loose, allowing it to fall out when being tipped into the collection vehicle.

However, all businesses in Wellington County will be able to take reasonable quantities of clean and flattened cardboard to County waste facilities free of charge. See information on obtaining a Recycling Minimum Fee Exemption card.

Size and Dimensions of the 64 Gallon Carts Being Offered

Who I do I contact if my cart(s) are not collected?

Solid Waste Services Committee meeting information related to Blue Box Transition

Changes for Residents

Same Day, Same Way, More Materials

Visit the circularmaterials.ca/wellington website to see the newly expanded list of acceptable residential recyclable materials.

Please continue to sort materials into two (2) streams and set your recycling containers out on the same day you have been, indicated on your 2026 curbside collection calendar.

Curbside Collection Schedules

Future Changes

Any changes to your residential recycling collection programme will be communicated to you by Circular Materials and/or the waste contractor who is responsible for picking up your recyclable materials.

Missed Collections and New Blue Boxes

Contact WM (Waste Management) at:

Email: canresidential@wm.com or Phone: 1.800.561.1655

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this change happening?

In June 2021, the Province of Ontario released the Blue Box Regulation which shifted the full financial and operational responsibility of residential recycling from municipalities, including Wellington County, to the organizations that produce printed paper and packaging (Producers). This change is referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and is predicted to introduce improvements such as:

Standardizing recycling programmes province-wide, to accept more materials

Increased waste diversion by setting province-wide recycling targets

Supporting innovation of new packaging and paper products

How will the residential blue box recycling programme be paid for?

The producers of printed paper and packaging will be funding 100% of the costs to manage residential blue box materials in Wellington County beginning July 1, 2025. This includes the collection, processing and marketing of the blue box materials. The SWS Annual Budget has been adjusted for this change, with a removal of approximately $2 million in recycling costs over 2025 – 2026, that will no longer need to be raised through property taxation.

Are other collection programmes going to be affected?

How will this affect the information I see on the Recycle Coach app regarding my blue box collection?

Can I still take my residential blue box recyclables to a County waste facility?

How will this impact multi-residential buildings / apartments?

Links to More Information on Blue Box Transition in Ontario