Blue Box Transition Program

In 2016, through the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, the Government of Ontario introduced its plan to roll out a new province-wide system for Blue Box materials. Through this new Act, all Ontario municipalities are required to transition ‘out of the business’ of collecting recyclable materials by 2026, and hand over responsibility for managing blue box programs to producers of products and packaging.

As of January 1, 2024, Haldimand County has transitioned to a new recycling model; The collection program is now fully managed by Circular Materials Ontario.

Timeline

2002:

The current Blue Box Program is introduced in Ontario. Industry Stewards are required to fund 50% of the operating costs for the Municipal collection of Blue Box materials.

2016:

The Government of Ontario introduces a new Blue Box Act. Producers are responsible for the collection of their products and packaging.

July 2023:

The Blue Box Program will transition to the new producer-run framework starting July 1, 2023 for some municpalities.

January 2024:

Haldimand County is set to transition to the new Blue Box Program on January 1, 2024.

January 2026:

All municipalities will have transitioned to the new Blue Box Program as of January 1, 2026.

Background Information

Haldimand County is required to transition to the new Provincial blue box regulatory framework on
January 1, 2024 to comply with O.Reg. 391/21. This new regulation is being implemented throughout
Ontario in two phases:

Transition period (July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025); and
Post-transition period (starting January 1, 2026).

In June 2021, the Provincial blue box regulation was updated to make the producers of recycling
materials responsible for their materials, specifically related to recycling costs, to reduce recyclable materials currently going to landfill and enable a common collection blue box program across Ontario. Common collection in this case is defined as the same recycling materials being accepted in all blue box programs across the Province.

Want to learn more about the Blue Box Transition Program?

Stewardship Ontario

Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority

Strategy for a Waste-Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy

Documents

FAQs

What's happening to Ontario's Blue Box program?

In 2021, the Ontario government passed a new regulation that shifts the financial and operational responsibility of blue box recycling programs to producers – those that produce and supply blue box materials to residents. In this new extended producer responsibility framework, producers will
become fully responsible for collecting and recycling blue box materials.

Transiton to extended producer responsibility will take place between 2023 – 2025, with the new framework fully in place by January 1, 2026. As a result, Haldimand County’s blue box recycling program is now managed by Circular Materials, who is the administrator of the common collection system and a not-for-profit organization that is commited to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.

What can I expect when Circular Materials manages my recycling program?

There will be no change to how you currently recycle your materials or to your recycling collection schedule. More information on recycling in Haldimand County can be found at circularmaterials.ca/haldimandcounty.

When will Circular Materials be managing my recycling program?

Circular Materials begins managing Haldimand County’s blue box program as of January 1, 2024. More information on recycling in Haldimand County can be found at circularmaterials.ca/haldimandcounty.

Who do I contact for recycling collection questions and inquiries now (i.e. missed collections)?

As of January 1, 2024, please contact your recycling contractor Modern via custsupport@modern-corp.com or 1-844-624-3126 with any questions or concerns.

If you have an issue or complaint that requires escalation to Circular Materials, please direct it to: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca or 1-855-667-2626.

Who do I contact if I have an inquiry or missed collection with regards to my garbage or leaf & yard waste collection?

For garbage, leaf and yard waste collection inquiries contact Norfolk Disposal at dispatch@norfolkdisposal.ca or 1-800-616-0347.

Who do I contact for recycle bins?

As of January 1, 2024, please contact your recycling contractor Modern via custsupport@modern-corp.com or 1-844-624-3126 to request a new blue box.

Why is the program changing?

Historically, Ontario’s blue box programs were operated by municipalites who were responsible for paying about half of the costs of the program, with producers responsible for the other half. Now, under the Blue Box Regulation, Ontario is transitoning to a new model where producers – the organizations that produce the products and packaging – are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program.

How does Circular Materials Ontario fit into this?

Circular Materials is the administrator of the common collection system and a not-for-profit organization that is commited to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario. Haldimand County is collaborating with Circular Materials to deliver a best-in-class system that continues to deliver recycling
services and support our residents.

During the transition period, there will be no change to how and what residents can recycle. Following the transition, Ontario can expect to have a convenient, consistent, and effective recycling system in place that will improve recycling rates and meet the needs of Ontarians. Learn more about Circular Materials
at www.circularmaterials.ca/ON.

What does extended producer responsibility mean?

EPR is a framework in which producers – the businesses that supply paper and packaging to residents – are responsible for managing the end-of-life management of these materials. EPR enables innovation, operational efficiencies, increased standard levels, and access to materials. It is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms to improve recycling rates.

What advantages are associated with this new system?

EPR is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms to improve recycling rates and advance a circular economy where materials are collected, recycled, and returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging.

How will I be informed of any future changes to the blue box program?

Download the RecycleCoach app or visit the Circular Materials Ontario website:

https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-provinces/ontario/

https://recyclecoach.com/

How will I be notified if there are collection disruptions (i.e. inclement weather, collection delays)?

To get notified about recycling collection disruptions or delays, download the RecycleCoach app.

To receive notifications about garbage, leaf and yard waste collection disruptions or delays, download the RecycleCoach app or check the county’s social media accounts.

Information for Businesses

Haldimand County’s blue box recycling program is now managed by Circular Materials Ontario, which is the administrator of the common collection system and a not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.

As part of the regulation, non-eligible sources such as commercial, industrial, institutional and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are not included in blue box services through producer responsibility. This means that properties that are deemed non-eligible must make alternate arrangements for the collection of their recycling. Please note that garbage collection has not changed.

In order to help with this transition, non-eligible properties can bring their recycling to the Canborough Waste Management Facility free of charge until Dec 31, 2025

Contact information

For questions about your recycling collection, or to request a blue box, contact:

Modern Landfill
1-844-624-3126
custsupport@modern-corp.com

For more information on the Blue Box transition in Haldimand County, contact:

Solid Waste Operations