Ontario will implement major changes to its recycling framework effective 1 January 2026, completing the province’s transition to a producer-funded recycling system under the Blue Box Regulation.
The changes fall under Ontario Regulation 391/21 of the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, which establishes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) model for packaging and paper products. Under the regulation, producers that supply packaging and printed paper into Ontario will be fully responsible for the costs and operations associated with collecting, managing and recycling these materials. This responsibility previously rested largely with municipalities.
The transition to the EPR system has been underway since 2023 and will be completed province-wide in 2026. More than 380 municipalities and 12 First Nations communities are included in the program. Municipalities will no longer fund residential blue box recycling once they are transitioned into the producer-run system.
Ontario’s new framework introduces a standardized list of recyclable materials across the province. Residents will be able to recycle the same items regardless of where they live, reducing confusion caused by differing local rules. The accepted materials list is broader than before and includes items such as plastic beverage cups, black plastic packaging, toothpaste and deodorant tubes, frozen juice containers and other packaging types that were previously inconsistently accepted.
While the materials accepted for recycling will change, residents are expected to continue using their existing blue bins. Collection schedules are not expected to change significantly, though recycling services will be delivered by producer-appointed organizations rather than municipalities.
The province estimates the new system will save municipalities and taxpayers more than CAD 200 million annually by shifting financial responsibility to producers. Oversight of the system is provided by the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority, which sets performance targets and enforces compliance.
The regulation is intended to improve recycling outcomes, increase material recovery rates and create a more consistent and sustainable recycling system in Ontario. Additional recycling targets and compliance requirements for producers will be phased in beyond 2026 as part of the long-term framework.
