A reminder about Blue Box and recycling changes effective January 1, 2026

By City of Kawartha Lakes - Jan 02, 2026

Kawartha Lakes – Changes to Ontario’s Blue Box program took effect on January 1, 2026, including updates to accepted materials and recycling collection services in Kawartha Lakes. This change is part of a province-wide shift under Ontario’s Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, which makes producers responsible for the collection, processing and recycling of products and packaging.

What’s changing 

A new recycling collector, Emterra Environmental, will be picking up recycling from homes across Kawartha Lakes on behalf of Circular Materials Ontario (CMO). Garbage collection will continue with Miller Waste, and both garbage and recycling will still be collected on the same day, just by different trucks.

Three recycling bins sitting on the curb on a sunny day

This also means that Emterra is responsible for recycling inquiries, such as missed collection or damaged bins. Emterra's contact information, shown below, is available anytime on our Residential Waste and Recycling Collection page and the Municipal Calendar.

Contact Emterra:

  • Phone: 1-888-597-1541
  • Email: customercareont@emterra.ca

New materials accepted in the Blue Box 

As of January 1, a number of items previously placed in regular waste have moved to recycling.

New to the Blue (Container) Bin New to the Green (Paper/Fibre) Bin
Cereal bags Flexible plastics (milk bags, bread bags)
Toothpaste tubs, deodorant, hand cream tubes  Chip bags, granola/candy wrappers and bubble wrap 
Plastic cutlery  
Coffee and fast food cups  
Pet food bags  
Straws  
Styrofoam  
Small item plastic packaging  
Empty aerosol containers  

For a list of all recyclable materials, see the What Goes Where insert within the Municipal Calendar or the Recycle Coach App. 

Impacts for businesses and organizations 

Curbside recycling collection under the new program is limited to residential properties only. Recycling collection is no longer provided to: 

  • Private-sector businesses
  • Commercial portions of mixed-use buildings
  • Places of worship
  • Commercial farms 
  • Municipal buildings and facilities
  • Non-profit organizations (e.g., shelters, food banks)
  • Daycares and post-secondary institutions 

These properties can continue to recycle by using the City’s five landfill depot locations (tipping fees apply) or by arranging private recycling collection. For more information, visit the Commercial Waste Collection area of the website.

Working together for a smooth transition 

“This is a significant shift happening across Ontario,” said Heather Dzurko, Manager of Waste Management for the City of Kawartha Lakes. “We’re committed to ensuring that residents and businesses in Kawartha Lakes have the information and support they need as recycling services transition to Circular Materials Ontario.” 

For ongoing updates about waste and recycling services in Kawartha Lakes, visit the Garbage and Recycling page, follow Kawartha Lakes on social media, or use the Recycle Coach App. 

For details on Ontario’s Blue Box program, visit the Waste Management page on the Ontario government’s website. 

--- 

Staying Connected 

Activate your Jump Inbox to be the first to know about municipal news and events. Connect with us on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 

- 30 - 

Media are welcome to visit our Media Portal for high resolution images. 

Subscribe Back to News Search

Contact Us

Kawartha Lakes 
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337