The City of Stratford is undergoing changes to its recycling program. This page provides further information on the changes underway, including how to request and determine the appropriately sized recycling cart to meet your household recycling needs.
Each household will receive a 360-litre wheeled, lidded recycling cart designed to hold two weeks of recyclables and accommodate a broader range of accepted materials.
If this size cart does not meet your needs, you can request an exchange for a smaller 246-litre recycling cart that is compatible with local collection contractor trucks.
To ensure residents are choosing a recycling cart that meets their recycling needs, we recommend reviewing the below considerations. It is important to note that only one cart exchange is permitted per address.
We recommend using your 360-litre recycling cart for at least three bi-weekly collection pickups (i.e., over six weeks) to understand your needs before requesting a smaller size.
If, based on the above considerations, you would like to proceed with an exchange for a smaller 246-litre cart that is compatible with local collection contractor trucks, please complete the Recycling Cart Exchange Request Form.
Timelines for the delivery of smaller carts will be shared as they become available and are anticipated after February 1, 2026, based on current production schedules.
Yes. If the standard 360–litre cart does not meet your recycling needs, you can request an exchange for a smaller 246–litre cart that is compatible with the local collection contractor’s trucks by completing the Recycling Cart Exchange Request Form.
To ensure residents are choosing a recycling cart that meets your needs, we recommend reviewing the below considerations. It is important to note that only one cart exchange is permitted per address.
We recommend using your 360-litre recycling cart for at least three bi-weekly collection pickups (i.e., over six weeks) to understand your needs before requesting a smaller size. For more information, please contact our collection contractor at customercareont@emterra.ca or 1-888-597-1541.
120-litre recycling carts are not compatible with the local collection contractor trucks and the smallest recycling cart available is the 246-litre cart. If you would like to proceed with an exchange for a smaller 246-litre cart that is compatible with local collection contractor trucks, please complete the Recycling Cart Exchange Request Form.
No. There will be no changes to your recycling collection day or frequency.
We recommend using your 360-litre recycling cart for at least three bi-weekly collection pickups (i.e., over six weeks) to understand your needs before requesting a smaller size. Blue box materials, particularly cardboard, must be broken down and flattened to support using the space efficiently.
Residents who require a second cart will be able to request one starting January 1, 2026. If another recycling cart is deemed necessary, a second cart will be provided at no cost.
It is important that this only applies to households with a 360-litre recycling cart. A second cart will not be provided for households who request an exchange for the smaller 246-litre size recycling cart.
Residents are asked to use their current blue boxes until the end of the year. Starting January 1, 2026, residents are required to use their new recycling cart. Residents can choose to re-purpose their old boxes, such as using them as storage containers.
A full list of materials that can be recycled can be found here. Starting January 1, 2026, you will be able to recycle the same materials no matter where you are in the province. The list of materials accepted for recycling has also expanded to include additional items such as hot and cold beverage cups, black plastic containers, frozen juice containers, ice cream tubs, deodorant and toothpaste tubes.
Anyone experiencing a permanent or temporary physical disability that restricts their ability to set out their recycling cart at the curbside may be eligible for assisted collection service. Please note, a physician’s note is required to apply for this assisted service. Please visit our website to access the Special Accommodation Recycling Collection Form.
As of January 1, 2026, Emterra will be the collection contractor for Stratford.
The RFID (radio-frequency identification) tag on your cart helps ensure your recycling cart is correctly registered to your address. This technology helps prevent lost or misplaced carts and supports efficient service delivery. The tag does not collect any personal information or track your activities.
