Transitioning the blue box collection program
Blue box collection changes are coming province-wide in 2026. The Province of Ontario is introducing a new blue box collection system to provide consistent service throughout Ontario and allow more materials to be recycled in more communities.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, producers of recyclable materials will be operationally and financially responsible for residential blue box collection programs across the province. This means producers will oversee the collecting, sorting and recycling of all blue box materials. The City of Vaughan will no longer collect blue box recycling as of Jan. 1, 2026. Circular Materials Ontario, a not-for-profit organization appointed by the Province, is overseeing this transition.
There are no changes to your collection schedule or the materials you can recycle from now until Dec. 31, 2025. 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 understood that the blue box collection days will remain the same.
The City is committed to supporting a smooth transition of the blue box program for all residents. City staff will continue to engage with Circular Materials Ontario to advocate for the operational and communication needs of residents during the transition.
Rest assured, we will keep you informed of updates before any changes come into effect and impact you. Check back here regularly or follow our corporate social media channels (X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn) and subscribe to our Vaughan News eNewsletter to stay up-to-date.
Learn more about the blue box program transition in Ontario. This new collection system falls under Provincial Regulation 391/21 of the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Province of Ontario is introducing a new blue box collection system. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, producers of recyclable materials will be operationally and financially responsible for residential blue box collection programs across the province. This means producers will oversee the collecting, sorting and recycling of all blue box materials. For more information, visit Circular Materials’ webpage.
As part of this transition, the City will no longer handle customer service inquiries related to blue boxes or recycling collection. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, send all inquiries about recycling collection, including missed pickups, collection delays, damaged bins and more, to Miller Waste Systems – Vaughan’s waste collectors. You can call them at 1-855-752-3762 or email them at area10@millerwaste.ca.
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For inquiries about missed pickups, damaged blue boxes, collection schedule changes or delays and what will be accepted at curbside pickup, contact Miller Waste Systems at 1-855-752-3762 or email them at area10@millerwaste.ca.
For further feedback on recycling collection or inquiries about accepted materials, contact Circular Materials by phone at 1-877-667-2626 or by email at info@circularmaterials.ca.
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Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, an expanded list of materials will be included in curbside recycling collection. This includes:
- chip bags and food wrapping, including plastic and foil wrappers
- deodorant stick containers
- pet food bags
- stand-up resealable pouches
- Styrofoam™
- toothpaste tubes
For the full list of accepted materials, visit circularmaterials.ca/Vaughan. For inquiries about the Province’s new blue box program, contact Miller Waste Systems by phone at 1-855-752-3762 or email them at area10@millerwaste.ca.
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No, the City of Vaughan will not be receiving new blue boxes or carts. After Jan.1, 2026, your recycling will continue to be collected from the blue boxes you currently have.
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There are no changes to your collection schedule day. Of note, blue box recycling and green bin organics will no longer be collected on the same truck as of Jan. 1, 2026. Your recycling will be picked up in a separate truck, and it may be picked up at a different time than your green bin organics. Make sure you don’t miss pickup by setting out your waste by 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day.
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If your blue box was missed, please contact Miller Waste Systems at 1-855-752-3762 or area10@millerwaste.caand a customer service representative will investigate the matter.
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No. The City will maintain curbside collection of garbage, green bin organics, large and bulky items, and leaf and yard waste, including Christmas trees. Please continue to call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca for inquiries on these waste collection services.
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No. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the City of Vaughan will no longer exchange broken or damaged City-branded blue boxes. You still exchange broken City-branded 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 Miller Waste Systems. You can contact them by phone at 1-855-752-3762 or email at area10@millerwaste.ca.
The City will continue to sell new green bins and kitchen containers online through Service Vaughan or at select community centres, while supplies last. The City will also continue to offer a free exchange of broken or damaged City-branded green bins.
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To buy a new blue box after Jan. 1, 2026, please call Miller Waste Systems at 1-855-752-3762 or email area10@millerwaste.ca.
The City continues to sell new green bins and kitchen containers online through Service Vaughan or at select community centres, while supplies last. The City also continues to offer a free exchange of broken or damaged City-branded green bins.
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If your blue box is damaged by Miller Waste Systems, please contact Miller Waste Systems by phone at 1-855-752-3762 or by email at area10@millerwaste.ca.
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No. There is no new or separate charge to residents to transition to the new blue box collection program effective Jan. 1, 2026.
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Currently, the City receives a provincial grant to help fund the City’s blue box program. When the Province transitions responsibility of the blue box program away from the City, the cost of recycling collection will be assumed by Circular Materials, and the City will no longer receive a grant to support these expenses. This transition will not directly impact property taxes.
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.
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- Producers are suppliers of materials that eventually end up in your blue box, such as product packaging, paper products or packaging-like products made of paper, glass, metal or plastic. For more information, visit Circular Materials’ webpage.