Region transitioning recycling responsibilities to Circular Materials

Waterloo Region – Starting March 2, 2024, the Region of Waterloo will transfer the management of the residential blue box program to Circular Materials. This is part of the provincial shift to a framework where producers are fully responsible for the end-of-life management of blue box materials.

“This community has a proud history as the birthplace of the blue box program,” said Chair Karen Redman. “As we transition to producer-responsible recycling, our focus remains on increasing landfill diversion and the continued promotion and adoption of the 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover.”

During this transition, residents’ current collection day, the items put into blue boxes, two-box sorting, and green bin, garbage and bulky item collection will not change.

As of March 2, the only thing that will change for residents is that they will have a new contact for blue box issues or concerns. City residents can now contact Miller Waste Systems at area22@millerwaste.ca or call 1-888-852-3450. Township residents can contact Emterra Environmental at customercareont@emterra.ca or call 1-888-587-1541.

“We look forward to delivering a seamless transition of recycling services for the residents of Waterloo Region,” said Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. “As the province transitions over the next few years to a full producer responsibility framework, Ontarians can expect to have a convenient, consistent, and effective recycling system that will support residents and improve recycling rates.”

The province is gradually transitioning to this new framework until December 2025. As of 2026, Circular Materials will manage the recycling program in Ontario. In this new extended producer responsibility framework, producers will be fully financially and operationally responsible for collecting and recycling blue box materials.

“This transition will put the responsibility for collecting and processing recyclables as well as improving environmental packaging design in the hands of those who produce the materials,” said Jon Arsenault, director, Waste Management, Region of Waterloo. “We are confident that Circular Materials will continue to deliver this essential collection service for the community through the transition and into the future.”

Residents can find more information about Circular Materials and this transition at circularmaterials.ca/ON.

About Circular Materials

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that builds efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled, and returned to producers to use as recycled content in new packaging and paper. As the administrator of Ontario’s common collection system, Circular Materials is responsible for operating the new system for blue box materials. We are committed to increasing recycling rates across Ontario and ensuring more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment.