Coming in 2026: a new province-wide blue box program

Have you heard? Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, the City of Vaughan will no longer be responsible for collecting your recycling. 

Residential blue box programs across the province are moving to a new collection system operated by  Circular Materials Ontario, a not-for-profit organization appointed by the Province. This means the City will no longer be responsible for the collection, sorting and recycling of blue box materials.  

We are committed to supporting a smooth transition of the blue box program for all residents. Updates will be shared as they become available from Circular Materials Ontario. In the meantime, here are answers to questions you may have about this change:

What changes will I see?

There are no changes to your collection schedule or the materials you can recycle this year. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Circular Materials Ontario may make changes to the materials accepted in the new blue box collection program. These details are yet to be confirmed. At this time, it is anticipated that your collection schedule will remain the same.

Who will be responsible for garbage and green bin collection?

The City will continue to collect garbage, green bin organics, large and bulky items, and leaf and yard waste, including real Christmas trees.

Will property taxes change when the City no longer collects blue box recycling?

The transition to the new provincial blue box collection program will not affect municipal property taxes. Producersof recyclable materials will assume financial and operational responsibility of the new blue box program. The City currently receives a grant funded by the producers of recyclable materials to support the municipal blue box collection program.

Vaughan maintains one of the lowest tax rates in York Region and one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area.

Will I still be able to purchase or exchange a City-issued blue box?

No. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the City of Vaughan will no longer sell new blue boxes or exchange broken or damaged City-issued blue boxes. You can still purchase new blue boxes or exchange broken City-issued blue boxes through Service Vaughan until Dec. 31, 2025. Visit our webpage for more information on bin replacements and purchases. Starting in 2026, blue boxes will be available for purchase through Circular Materials Ontario. The City will share updates as we learn more.

The City will continue to sell new green bins and kitchen containers online through Service Vaughan or at select community centres. The City will also continue to offer a free exchange of broken or damaged City-issued green bins.

Will property taxes change when the City no longer collects blue box recycling?

The transition to the new provincial blue box collection program will not affect municipal property taxes. Financial responsibility of the new blue box program will be transferred to producers of recyclable materials (e.g. paper products, or packaging-like products comprised of paper, glass, metal or plastic).

Vaughan maintains one of the lowest tax rates in York Region and one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area.

Why is this change happening?

Ontario introduced a new Provincial Regulation 391/21 in the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 which shifts the financial and operational responsibility of residential blue box collection programs from municipalities to producers of recyclable materials (i.e. suppliers of paper products or packaging-like products comprised of paper, glass, metal or plastic). This means producers will be responsible for collecting, sorting and recycling blue box materials, with Circular Materials Ontario overseeing the transition.

This new recycling system aims to provide consistent service throughout Ontario and allow more materials to be recycled in more communities. 

Learn more about the blue box program transition in Ontario. 

To stay up to date on the blue box program transition, visit vaughan.ca/BlueBox.

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