Hamilton
Learn more about Hamilton’s recycling program.
Recycling program transition
As of April 1, 2025, Hamilton’s recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.
Until then, please visit Hamilton’s website for recycling-related information.
Get in touch
As of April 1, 2025, please contact GFL for any recycling collection inquiries. They can be contacted for:
- Replacement recycling carts.
- Missed collections.
- Other recycling questions.
GFL
- HamiltonRecycling@gflenv.com
- 1- 844-415-4351
- Web form
Recycling collection calendar
Blue boxes and recycling are picked up every week. Your recycling must be placed at the curb in front of your property between 7 pm on the evening before and 7 am on the morning of your scheduled collection day. Please see below the recycling collection schedules for each day of the week:
Your collection will occur one day later than regularly scheduled if it falls on or after these holidays.
New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later if your collection day falls on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Family Day
Monday, February 17, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later than regularly scheduled.
Good Friday
Friday, April 18, 2025
Pickup will occur on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Easter Monday
Monday, April 21, 2025
No change to waste collection schedule.
Victoria Day
Monday, May 19, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later than regularly scheduled.
Canada Day
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later if your collection day falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Civic Holiday
Monday, August 4, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later than regularly scheduled.
Labour Day
Monday, September 1, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later than regularly scheduled.
Thanksgiving
Monday, October 13, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later than regularly scheduled.
Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Pickup for the week will occur one day later if your collection day falls
Be recycle ready
- You can put out as many blue boxes as you need, but since Hamilton has a two-stream recycling system you will need at least 2 blue recycling boxes for proper sorting.
- Ensure that you separate your recycling accordingly. Hamilton has a two-stream recycling system; this means that papers and cardboard go into one blue box and containers go into a separate blue box. Remember to keep your recyclables loose and don’t bag it!
- Flatten your cardboard and tie it in bundles no bigger than 76 cm x 76 cm x 20 cm (or 30 in x 30 in x 8 in).
- Stack a heavier blue box on top of a lighter blue box so your recycling doesn’t blow away.
- Stand paper and cardboard up-and-down instead of laying them flat so they don’t blow away.
- Paper and cardboard will only be picked up if they are in a blue recycling box from the City of Hamilton, a plastic container that is the same size and shape as a blue box or a clear plastic bag that is tied at the top.
Paper products that don’t go in the paper and cardboard stream:
- Paper coffee cups, milk and juice cartons and juice boxes go in your blue box with glass, plastic, cans, cartons and containers.
- Paper plates and paper towels go in your green bin, not in your blue box.
- If the paper product is difficult to rip, or if there is visible plastic or metallic lining, it is garbage.
- All of your bottles, cans, cartons and jars must be empty before you put them in your blue box.
- Give your bottles, cans, cartons and jars a quick rinse before you put them in your blue box.
- Throw all your metal lids into your blue box.
- Plastic bags and plastic product outer wraps (must be bagged together and double tied).
- Make sure each blue box does not weigh more than 13 kg (or 30 lbs).
- Bottles, cans, cartons and jars will only be picked up if they are in: a blue recycling box, a plastic container that is the same size and shape as a blue box, a clear plastic bag that is tied at the top.
Accepted items
- Computer paper, writing paper and envelopes
- Magazines and catalogues
- Newspaper and flyers
- Boxboard (cereal, detergent, tissue and frozen food boxes)
- Paper egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls
- Cardboard boxes (flatten, tie in bundles and place beside your blue box)
- Gift bags and wrapping paper (handles removed, non-metallic)
- Aluminum and metal cans
- Aluminum foil, plates and trays
- Paint cans (empty)
- Cartons (juice, milk and soup)
- Glass bottles and jars
- Paper coffee cups
- Plastic bottles (lids off)
- Plastic plates, cups and coffee lids*
- Plastic tubs and lids
- Plastic fruit baskets and containers
- Plastic flower pots and trays (light colours only)