Recycling

The Ontario government has introduced important updates to the recycling system through the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and its Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21). These changes shift responsibility for recycling from municipalities to the producers of packaging and paper materials.

Under the Blue Box Regulation, producers of recyclable products are now fully responsible for collecting and recycling the materials they create. This change is intended to reduce waste, improve recycling outcomes, and protect the environment by minimizing pollution and conserving natural resources.

Ontario’s Blue Box program is now administered by Circular Materials, a national not for profit organization committed to building a consistent, efficient, and effective recycling system across the province.

Recycling in Elizabethtown-Kitley

Recycling collection in the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley is provided by Emterra Environmental.

What is not changing:

• Curbside recycling collection remains available only in the north end of the Township (former Kitley Township)
• Recycling collection is not provided in the south end of the Township
• Collection days remain the same

What is changing:

• Circular Materials now oversees the Blue Box recycling system
• Emterra Environmental will begin providing Blue Box recycling collection services on January 1, 2026. 

Accepted Recycling Materials:

A current list of accepted recycling materials for Elizabethtown-Kitley is available at: www.circularmaterials.ca/recycleontario

Province-Wide Recycling Changes Effective January 1, 2026:

Currently, recycling rules vary between Ontario communities. Beginning January 1, 2026, recycling will become more consistent and easier across the province.

Recycle Anywhere:

No matter where you are in Ontario, whether at home, on vacation, or visiting another community, you will be able to recycle the same materials through the curbside Blue Box program.

Recycle More:

Even more materials will be accepted for recycling. Examples of newly accepted items include:

• Black plastic containers
• Hot and cold beverage cups, including coffee cups
• Frozen juice containers
• Ice cream tubs
• Deodorant and toothpaste tubes

For more information about upcoming province-wide changes, visit:
www.circularmaterials.ca/recycleontario

Questions or Service Issues

Recycling containers, missed collections, or accepted materials:
Emterra Environmental
Phone: 1-888-597-1541
Email: customercareont@emterra.ca

Other recycling-related questions:
Circular Materials
Phone: 1-877-667-2626
Email: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca