Same Blue Box Program, More Recyclable Items

Peterborough, ON – Starting January 1, 2026, Peterborough residents will be able to recycle more items through the Province’s Blue Box program.  

Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization, manages the recycling collection and processing program in the City of Peterborough through its local contractor, Emterra Environmental, under Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation. Recycling collection and processing in the City of Peterborough was taken over by Circular Materials starting January 1, 2024. 

The expanded list of items that can be recycled through the Blue Box program is part of Ontario’s move to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which shifts the responsibility for recycling programs to the companies that produce packaging and paper products.  

What’s New 

The changes to the Blue Box program allow the same recyclable materials to be accepted across the province and more items can now be recycled.  

Newly accepted items include: 

• Black plastic containers 

• Hot and cold beverage cups 

• Deodorant and toothpaste tubes 

• Frozen juice containers 

• Ice cream tubs and similar packaging 

• Foam packaging, including meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls and foam packaging for products 

• Flexible packaging, which includes potato chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal box liners, deli pouches and plastic gift bags 

To view the full list of recyclable materials, visit circularmaterials.ca/resident-provinces/ontario.

There will be no changes to curbside recycling schedules. For recycling collection issues, contact Emterra Environmental at 1-888-597-1541. 

For general recycling information, contact Circular Materials at 1-877-667-2626 or customerservice@circularmaterials.ca. 

Learn more about recycling in Peterborough at circularmaterials.ca/peterborough.