Blue Box Transition

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

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 Resources section.

Changes for Residents

Same Day, Same Way

Initially, there will be no change to the way you are currently recycling at your home. Please continue to sort materials into 2 streams and set your recycling containers out on the same day you have been, indicated on your 2025 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?

If your recycling is missed on your collection day, please keep your materials out (or set back out) and report it.

Contact Waste Management at:

canresidential@wm.com

1.800.561.1655

Further information from WM

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.

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

Downtown Business Areas

In February 2025, Wellington County staff began visiting businesses in the 14 identified downtown 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. Registration remains open.

Outside of Downtown Business Areas

Wellington County staff have also visited businesses outside of downtowns throughout the County. Businesses have been offered the opportunity to register for a recycling minimum fee exemption card and learn about this programme. This exemption card gives business owners the option to take acceptable business-generated recyclables to any of the six (6) County waste facilities without charge.

14 Identified Downtown Areas in Wellington County

Elora

Fergus

Mt Forest

Arthur

Clifford

Harriston

Palmerston

Moorefield

Drayton

Hillsburgh

Erin

Rockwood

Aberfoyle

Morriston

Resources

Registration Form for Collection and Minimum Fee Exemption Card

Informational Letter to Downtown Businesses

PDF DT Letter Version

Supporting Downtown Businesses with Continued Recycling Service Options

February 2025

Hello Downtown Business Owner,

The County of Wellington Solid Waste Services (SWS) Division is reaching out to let you know about changes to the blue box recyclables collection programme affecting businesses.

We are contacting you to help answer questions you may have about changes and provide important directions on disposal options that will be made available to your downtown business.

Background

In June of 2021, new regulations passed by the Ontario government brought into effect what is commonly referred to as the Blue Box Transition (BBT). This change means a shift in funding and administration of recycling programmes throughout Ontario. Responsibility for recycling programmes are transferring from municipalities to producers of printed paper and packaging (PPP) and producer responsibility organizations (PROs).

While provisions have been set out in the new regulation for residential blue box materials to continue to be collected, there is no obligation for producers to provide service to industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors.

Options

Recognizing the importance to provide continuity of service to local businesses, Wellington County Council decided to adopt a motion to continue providing recycling services for businesses at no cost.

Curbside collection will be offered to businesses in 14 identified downtown areas across the County. These areas include Elora, Fergus, Mount Forest, Arthur, Clifford, Harriston, Palmerston, Moorefield, Drayton, Hillsburgh, Erin, Rockwood, Aberfoyle, and Morriston.

Additionally, businesses across the County may opt to register for a minimum fee exemption card allowing them to drop off accepted recyclable materials at any one of our six (6) County waste facilities at no charge. However, please note that regular fees will apply to all non-blue box items.

How to receive curbside recycling collection and/or receive an exemption card

To be eligible to continue receiving recycling collection (in the 14 identified downtown areas) and/or receive an exemption card you need to register your business. Registration can be done from this website.

Businesses may also choose to download a printable form from our webpage, fill it in and mail to:

Engineering Services, SWS Division

74 Woolwich Street

Guelph, ON N1H 3T9

Changes to collection days, method, set out times and location (also see our "Essential information for cart placement and collection" resource).

Recycling carts in downtown areas will be collected on a weekly basis. Collection will occur on Thursdays throughout Wellington County, regardless of the regular collection day for other waste materials.

64-gallon wheeled carts will be delivered to businesses starting in May, at no charge (max 2 carts). Carts will continue to be delivered on an ad hoc basis after blue box transition on July 1, as registrations are received and forwarded along to the collection company, WM.

Carts are single stream, with all acceptable materials being placed together in a single cart, including cardboard. Please keep materials loose to allow for easy tipping out.

Collection will begin at 6:00 a.m. in order to collect all downtown areas in one day.

Routes may change at any time, so carts need to be set out prior to 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays.

Carts need to be placed at the curb in front of business locations.

Carts need to be placed side by side, spaced three (3) feet apart, three (3) feet away from any other objects. Lid opening should face the roadway, and wheels toward building.

Carts should not be blocked by vehicles, objects, or property.

Residential units located on business properties

Residential units located in/at/on business property locations will continue to receive recycling collection, however the residential programme is a separate service that will be provided by Circular Materials under the Provincial regulations. Residents are not permitted to use the downtown business recycling programme and vice versa.

Interested in learning more about Blue Box Transition in the Province of Ontario?

Please visit www.circularmaterials.ca/producer-province/ontario/

Other resources

Visit our website for current and updated information as it becomes available

www.wellington.ca/bbtransition

Who to contact if business recycling is not collected, and for additional information

Please continue to contact the SWS Division if business materials are not collected.

Email: wasteinfo@wellington.ca

Phone: 519.837.2601 / 1.886.899.0248

Your Solid Waste Services Team

Essential information for cart placement and collection

Size and Dimensions of the 64 Gallon Carts Being Offered

Links to More Information on Blue Box Transition in Ontario

Solid Waste Services Committee meeting information related to Blue Box Transition

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?

Why are only downtown businesses being offered continued recycling collection?

Wellington County Council and staff reviewed three (3) options for collecting recyclables generated at businesses. The decision to offer collection in downtown areas only provided the best value for the County as a whole. Recognizing business needs everywhere, the County will offer all businesses the opportunity to deliver their blue box materials to any of the six (6) County waste facilities at no charge, with a County-issued minimum fee exemption card.

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

How will this impact multi-residential buildings / apartments?

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.