Region Blue Box Program Transitioning to Circular Materials, now part of Circular Economy

By Gazette Staff

November 19^th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Starting January 1, 2026, responsibility for residential Blue Box recycling in Halton Region—including Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville—will transition to Circular Materials Ontario.

This change is part of Ontario’s plan to enhance the Blue Box program, introduced in June 2021. Under a ‘producer responsibility’ model, businesses that create packaging and paper products will take on financial and operational responsibility for recycling, including curbside collection.

This is a big deal; – better management of waste products and the manufacturers of those products paying for their disposal.

“Halton Region continues to work with all levels of government and industry partners to support the shift of recycling to full producer responsibility”, said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “This transition ensures producers take responsibility for the packaging they create and supply, while residents across the province benefit from a standardized list of acceptable Blue Box items.”

What is changing

Starting January 1, 2026:

• Circular Materials Ontario will manage the residential Blue Box program for Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
• More items will be recycled and the list of acceptable items for recycling will be consistent across Ontario. Residents will go to Circular Materials Ontario for information about acceptable items and how to use the program.
• Miller Waste, contracted by Circular Materials Ontario, will handle recycling curbside collection. Residents will contact Miller Waste for customer service inquiries, including how to replace a Blue Box and report missed collection.

What is staying the same

• Curbside collection schedules for recycling remain unchanged – same days, same Miller Waste trucks.
• Residents can continue using their existing Blue Boxes or clear bags for collection.
• Collection schedules for Green Cart, Garbage, Yard Waste, Bulk and Metal Appliance collections as well as services at the Halton Waste Management Site remain unchanged and continue to be provided by Halton Region.

Staying informed

To stay informed of the Blue Box transition and get updates on recycling residents are directed to visit Circular Materials Ontario.

Better waste management.

For information on all other waste management programs, residents can continue to go to halton.ca/waste or sign up for email updates through the online calendar tool. Residents can also email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311 with specific inquiries.

About Halton

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 650,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and infrastructure planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; and emergency management.

This is a big deal that has taken a considerable amount of time to get in place.  Next step is to include the returning and recycling of glass products.

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