Residents of Ottawa will see a familiar sight at the curb on garbage day—blue and black recycling boxes—but the system behind them is undergoing a significant transformation. Starting January 1, 2026, the collection and management of the city's recycling program will shift from municipal hands to the producers of the packaging and paper materials themselves.
A Provincial Shift in Responsibility
This change is not unique to Ottawa but is part of a sweeping provincial regulation moving recycling responsibility to producers. The transition period, which began on July 1, 2023, and saw municipalities like Ottawa continue operations while being funded by producers, concludes at the end of 2025.
As of the New Year, the program will be fully funded and operated by producer responsibility organizations. The national non-profit Circular Materials will administer Ottawa's program. According to Circular Materials CEO Allen Langdon, this new common collection system will encompass 383 Ontario municipalities and 12 First Nations.
What Stays the Same and What Changes
For residents, the routine remains largely unchanged. You will still place your standard blue and black bins at the curb by the usual time on your collection day. The City of Ottawa will continue to collect green bin compost material.
The key difference is who picks up the recycling. The contract has been awarded to Miller Waste Services, which will handle all curbside collection for Circular Materials. If you need a new or replacement blue or black box after January 1, you will obtain it free directly from Miller Waste Services by emailing area2@millerwaste.ca or calling 1-888-852-2374.
An Expanded List of Recyclable Items
One positive outcome of this province-wide standardization is a consistent and expanded list of materials accepted for recycling. Gone are the days of variation between communities.
Starting January 1, 2026, all Ontario residents can recycle the same items. New additions to the accepted list in Ottawa include:
- Hot and cold beverage cups (like coffee cups)
- Plastic bags and wraps
- Toothpaste and deodorant tubes
- Ice cream tubs
- Black plastic containers
- Frozen juice containers
Andrea Gay Farley, the City of Ottawa's Program Manager for Waste Collections, Programs and Customer Service, emphasized that the core change is the shift in management responsibility to producers, as mandated by the province.
The move aims to create a more consistent and potentially more efficient recycling system across Ontario, placing the onus for the lifecycle of packaging on the companies that create it. Residents with service questions after January 1 are directed to contact Miller Waste Services.
