• Beginning mid-August 2026, residents must place recycling materials in their recycling cart for curbside collection. Blue boxes will no longer be accepted. Check your calendar to confirm your first collection day.

• Recycling carts will be delivered to residents starting in early July 2026 and deliveries completed by July 31, 2026.

• Recycling carts, with lids fully closed, help minimize litter and reduce odour and pest issues.
• Increased storage capacity between collections allows for more space for your recyclables.
• Collection systems with recycling carts create a safer working environment for workers and reduce the risk of injury and accidents.

• Recycling collection will switch to every other week in mid-August, with no change to your collection day. Recycling collection will occur the opposite week from your garbage collection. Please check your calendar to confirm your collection schedule.

• A full list of materials that can be recycled can be found here. As of January 1, 2026, you are able to recycle the same materials wherever you are in Ontario. The list of materials accepted for recycling has also expanded to include additional items such as hot and cold beverage cups, frozen juice containers, plastic bags, Styrofoam, deodorant and toothpaste.

• Place only accepted recyclable materials inside your recycling cart.
• Flatten and bundle corrugated cardboard before placing it in your cart to save on space.
• Ensure all containers are clean, dry and placed loosely in your cart. Do not bag your recyclables or stuff into other recyclables. The exception is shredded paper, which should be in a clear plastic bag and placed inside your cart.
• Lids and labels can remain on containers and cans.

• Keep your recyclables secure in your cart by making sure the cart lid is fully closed. On windy days, position the cart so the lid opens away from the wind between collection days. Remember when placing at the curb that the lid needs to open towards the road.

In areas where carts are being blown over by passing vehicles or strong roadside wind gusts, you can take a few steps to help improve cart stability and prevent recyclables from blowing away.

• Set carts out only when full or nearly full, where possible.
  A fuller cart has more weight and is less likely to tip over when exposed to wind gusts from passing transport trucks. Partially empty carts are lighter and more vulnerable to being blown over.
• Place carts farther back from the roadway while still keeping them visible and accessible for collection.
  Where property conditions allow, residents should avoid placing carts directly at the edge of the road or shoulder. Moving the cart slightly farther away from the travel lane can help reduce the impact of wind turbulence caused by large vehicles.
• Use a stable, level set-out location.
  Carts should be placed on a flat surface whenever possible. Avoid placing them on slopes, soft gravel, snowbanks, uneven shoulders, or areas where the wheels may shift.
• Ensure the lid is fully closed.
  An open or partially open lid can catch wind and make the cart more likely to tip. Closing the lid also helps keep material contained if the cart does fall over.
• Face the cart properly for collection.
  Where automated collection is used, carts should still be positioned with the wheels and handle facing the house and the lid opening toward the road. Proper placement helps the driver collect the cart without needing to reposition it.
• Avoid packing lightweight items at the top.
  Lightweight materials near the top of the cart can shift or catch wind if the lid opens. Heavier material at the bottom can help improve balance.
• Set carts out as close to the collection time as practical.
  If residents know carts are frequently blown over overnight or early in the morning, placing carts out later in the allowable set-out window may reduce the amount of time they are exposed to truck traffic and wind.

• Set your recycling cart so that the wheels are away from the curb (towards your home, and the lid opens to the street).
• Place recycling cart at least 3 feet in front of or beside fences, vehicles, obstacles, or other waste materials.
• Place your cart on a flat surface clear of snow and ice.
• Residents should have their cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on the morning of their scheduled collection day.

• 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 theSpecial Accommodation Recycling Collection Form.

• Beginning mid-August 2026, recycling must be placed in the new recycling carts and blue boxes will no longer be accepted for curbside collection.
• Blue boxes cannot be placed in your recycling cart. Instead, consider reusing them around your home for storage such as sand, mulch, gravel, soil, pet food, or for yard waste collection.
• Unwanted blue boxes can be taken to any of the County’s six waste facilities to be recycled at no charge. They will not be picked up at the curb.

• Contact Waste Management at canresidential@wm.com or 1-800-561-1655.

• Additional residential units located on the same property that are registered with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will receive a cart for each registered unit. Please contact WM for any questions regarding recycling carts.

• Week A addresses will begin the week of August 10 and Week B addresses will begin the week of August 17. Then collection will be every other week. Recycling collection is opposite your garbage collection week.

• Break down all cardboard boxes flat. This alone can free up space in your cart.

• If a 360-litre size cart does not meet your recycling needs, you can pre-order a smaller 240-litre recycling cart by June 12, 2026.

• A standard 360L cart is 44.5”H x 34.375” D x 25.125” W. It will hold 4.3 tall blue boxes worth of recyclables or 6.8 short blue boxes. Please remember that collection will be every two (2) weeks and all materials must be placed inside the cart with the lid closed, including flattened corrugated cardboard. Learn more by visiting circularmaterials.ca/wellingtoncountycarts