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. The company that will be responsible for the collection of all blue box materials in Vaughan as of Jan. 1, 2026, is Miller Waste Systems, the same company currently collecting your waste.
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 Miller Waste Systems and Circular Materials Ontario – a not-for-profit organization appointed by the Province to oversee this transition – 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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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.
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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 real Christmas trees.
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Miller Waste Systems will be responsible for collecting all blue box materials in Vaughan. If you have concerns, questions or comments about recycling, contact Miller Waste Systems.
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No. There is no additional charge to residents to transition to the new blue box collection program on Jan. 1, 2026.
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The following properties will be serviced under the new producer responsibility model:
- single-family homes
- multi-residential properties, like townhouses and condo buildings – including those that are currently receiving City blue box collection, private collection and new builds.
- specified non-profit/municipal long-term and retirement homes
- public and private schools
- residential components of mixed-use buildings
Industrial, commercial and institutional waste collection is regulated separately from residential waste in Ontario; therefore, these properties will not receive blue box collection under the new producer responsibility model.
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Producers are suppliers of blue box materials, such as product packaging, paper products, or packaging-like products, comprised of paper, glass, metal or plastic.