Rideau Lakes

Learn more about Rideau Lake’s recycling program.

Recycling program transition

As of March 1, 2025, Rideau Lake’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 Rideau Lake’s website for recycling-related information.

Recycling resources

Learn more about recycling collection in Rideau Lakes.

Get in touch

As of March 1, please contact Emterra for any recycling collection inquiries:

  • Replacement recycling bins.
  • Missed collections.
  • Other recycling questions.

Emterra

Be recycle ready

  • Recyclables are collected on alternating weeks. To determine which recycling material is being picked up for a given week, please check the recycling calendar.
  • All recycling material should be sorted by containers and paper/cardboard, clean, and in a clear bag. The bag should be tied and weigh less than 40 lbs.
  • Give containers a quick rinse to remove any residue before placing them for recycling.
  • Flatten all boxes before placing them for recycling.

What’s accepted

  • Plastic:
    • Water/pop/juice bottles
    • Butter/margarine/yogurt tubs
    • Plastic egg cartons
    • Plastic bottles (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, ibuprofen, lotion, liquid soap, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing, peanut butter, toilet bowl cleaner, laundry soap, disinfectant wipes, etc.)
    • Brown, green, white flower pots – must be clean.
    • Please ensure all recycling containers are rinsed and clean.
  • Metal and aluminum:
    • Clean aluminum food trays (pie plates, take out, etc.)
    • Clean aluminum foil (no food debris)
    • Clean metal & aluminum cans (soup, pasta, soft drink, energy drink
    • Canned meat
    • Canned Vegetables
    • Canned Pet food
  • Glass bottles and jars:
    • Pickle jar
    • Olive jar
    • Cheez whiz jar
    • Salsa jar
    • Sauce bottles
    • Jam jar
  • Paper, cardboard and boxboard:
    • Newspapers
    • Flyers
    • Envelopes and printer/copier paper
    • Magazines and catalogues
    • Telephone books
    • Paper towel and toilet paper tubes
    • Cardboard egg cartons
    • Corrugated cardboard (flatten)
    • Boxboard boxes (Remove the inner plastic bag/liner from inside cereal and cracker boxes. All cardboard/box-board must be flattened. You may bundle and tightly tie your cardboard, newspapers and magazines (no bag required), however you may only recycle bundles the size of a regular waste bag (26” x 36”) and only up to 5 bundles (equivalent to 5 bags). If your bundle is too large it will not be collected.
      • Cereal
      • Crackers
      • Cake mixes
      • Kleenex
      • Pasta
      • Chocolate
      • Candy boxes
  • Household items
  • School/office items
    • rulers
    • pens/markers/crayons
    • pencil cases
    • binders
    • file holders
    • staplers
    • scissors
    • glue sticks
    • plastic strings
  • Home improvement items
    • vents
    • sockets
    • light switch covers
    • plastic lamp shades/lights
    • hooks
    • piping
    • power tools
    • hand tools (eg. saw, screwdrivers)
  • Outdoor/garden items
    • hoses
    • flower pots with dirt in them
    • chairs
    • garden ornaments/decorations
  • Hygiene items
    • combs/brushes
    • deodorant containers
    • toothpaste tubes
    • toothbrushes
    • razors
    • tubes for face/hand cream
    • pill packs for medication
    • pouches for baby wipes
    • feminine product wrappers
    • air fresheners
  • Make-up containers
    • lip stick tubes
    • mascara tubes
    • eyeshadow containers
    • blush compacts
    • foundation/concealer pumps and compacts
    • eyeliner pencils
    • lip chap tubes/containers.
  • Hard rigid packaging
    • from a new flashlight
    • battery packaging
  • Plastic wrap packaging
    • from cheese
    • ALL plastic bags
    • bread bags
    • cold meats
    • baking goods
    • fruits & vegetables
  • Cellophane wrap
    • basket wrap
    • flower bouquet wrap
  • Polyethylene items
    • internal food bags from cereal & cracker boxes,
    • cake/brownie mixes
    • bubble wrap
    • film wrap
    • sandwich bags
    • bread bags
    • pet food bags
  • Utensils/implements
    • straws
    • stir sticks
    • spoons
    • forks
    • knives
    • measuring cups
    • baking spoons
    • drinking cups
  • Small appliances
    • coffee maker
    • tea kettle
    • blender
    • hand/stand mixers
    • bread machines
    • panini/sandwich press
  • Styrofoam items
    • cups
    • plates
    • trays
    • take out containers
    • packing blocks
    • peanut packaging
  • Other packaging
    • most coffee pods
    • paper bags with a plastic liner
    • chip bags
    • granola bar wrappers
    • chocolate bar wrappers
    • candy packaging
    • paper towel
    • Kleenex & toilet paper outer packaging
    • most grocery bags
    • lettuce bags
  • Black containers
  • Dirty containers