Blue Box

What is my collection day?

New! Blue Box program enhancements

Residents now have the option to place recyclables out for curbside collection in a clear plastic bag; continue to use the Blue Box only; or use both!
Residents, businesses & facilities can recycle plastic bags and plastic overwrap!

Blue Box material is collected once every week on your collection day.

To make curbside recycling easier and to reduce neighbourhood litter on windy days, there are new options for curbside recycling collection:

You can mix papers, containers and bundled plastics in one Blue Box.
Use Blue Boxes that are 85 litres (22 gallons) or less. The dimensions of Halton Region Blue Boxes are:
- 40 cm length x 51 cm width x 54 cm height (15.5” x 20” x 21”).
- Over-sized containers can pose a health and safety risk to collection crews, who manually lift the bins. Larger boxes will not be collected.
Tie corrugated cardboard in bundles no larger than 120 cm x 120 cm x 30 cm (4’ x 4’ x 1’) and place beside your Blue Box.

Place all recyclable materials in clear plastic bags.
You can mix papers, containers, and plastics in one plastic bag.
Please tie off clear plastic bags and place next to other materials for curbside collection.
There is no limit to the number of clear plastic bags collected each week.

If you choose to use both, you can place your plastic bag beside your Blue Box or inside the Blue Box on top of loose materials.

Plastic bags (clean, dry and empty)
Plastic overwrap (clean, dry and empty)
Metal pots, pans and baking sheets
Disposable, rigid, plastic containers and packaging
Single use plastic plates, cups and coffee cup lids (no cutlery)
Plastic food and beverage containers
Plastic bottles
Plastic plant pots and trays
Boxed beverage containers (Tetra Paks®, milk and juice cartons)
Empty metal paint cans (dry and lids removed)
Aluminum foil, trays, metal food and beverage cans
Glass bottles and jars
Cardboard cans
Boxboard - flattened cereal, detergent and tissue boxes, etc. (liners go in garbage)
Newspapers, flyers, fine paper, magazines and books, envelopes (including plastic windows)
Corrugated cardboard – tie in bundles no larger than 120 cm x 120 cm x 30 cm (4 ft x 4 ft x 1 ft)

Unacceptable materials:

Styrofoam

The printable list of acceptable items is also available in other languages:

Each year, Halton residents may pick up 1 free Blue Box from the locations below.

Halton Waste Management Site
5400 Regional Road 25, Milton
Open: Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Halton Regional Centre
1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
Open: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Halton North Operations
8140 Fifth Line, Georgetown
Open: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Robert C. Austin Operations Centre
11620 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown
Open: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

There is a currently a limited supply of Blue Boxes. To ensure availability, call 311 before visiting any of the sites noted above.

Broken Blue Boxes can be returned for a free exchange to:

Halton Waste Management Site
5400 Regional Road 25, Milton
Open: Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Halton Regional Centre
1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
Open: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Robert C. Austin Operations Centre
11620 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown
Open: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Broken Blue Boxes are recycled into new containers.

Recycling material remains the responsibility of the homeowner until the material is collected.
Put recycling out by 7 a.m., not the night before.
Don’t overfill the Blue Box with material.
Bundle and tie newspaper, cardboard and boxboard and place on top of your Blue Box.
Stack your Blue Boxes, placing heavier items on top.
Squeeze cans, bottles and cartons.
All recyclable plastics must be rinsed, clean and dry.
Empty plastic bags and overwrap before placing in recycling (e.g., free of receipts, newspapers, cardboard, or food).
Bundle all plastic bags and overwrap in one plastic bag and tie shut.