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YORK REGION>Services>Environmental Services>Waste Management
 
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Waste Management Home page graphic header
 
Blue Box Sub header
 

What Not to Recycle

Blue Box Collection

Important Blue Box Reminders

Recycling Facts

No Plastic Bags or Wrap Waste Management Centre

No Shredded Paper

Frequently Asked Questions


What Can Go in the Blue Box?

 
Now accepting spiral wound containers

New to the Blue Box:
Spiral Wound Containers

This includes frozen juice containers, coffee cans, chip
cylinders and dough containers.

Header 1 of 2: Poster showing materials that are accepted in the York Region Blue Box. Image of common Blue Box used throughout York Region. Green check mark shown to help demonstrate that the ten items mentioned below are acceptable materials in the Blue Box. York Region logo in white on blue background. For more information about accepted and non-accepted items in the Blue Box please contact Leslie Gilbert by e-mail at Leslie.Gilbert@york.ca or by phone at 1-905-830-4444, extension 5786. Accepted Item 1 of 10: Image of examples of plastic beverage containers. Plastic Bottles, Jugs and Jars - Plastic bottles, jugs and jars used for beverages, cleaners, windshield washer fluid, and other household liquids (empty and rinsed). Accepted Item 2 of 10: An image showing examples of plastic food containers. Plastic Food Containers - Plastic food tubs for yogurt, margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese and ice cream (empty and rinsed). Accepted Item 3 of 10: Image of shampoo bottle. Accepted Item of 3 of 10: Image of plastic take-out container. Accepted Item 3 of 10: Image of plastic clamshell container. Other Rigid Plastic Containers - Plastic take-out containers, muffin trays, shampoo bottles, produce clamshells, e.g. cherry tomato containers (empty and rinsed). Accepted Item 4 of 10: Image of examples of glass containers. Glass Bottles and Jars - Food and beverage bottles and jars (empty, rinsed and lids removed). Accepted Item 5 of 10: Image of various examples of metal containers, such as, aluminiun foil and tin cans. Metal Containers - Food and beverage cans and aluminium foil, trays and plates (empty and rinsed). Accepted Item 6 of 10: Image showing examples of empty paint containers. EMPTY Aerosol and Metal Paint Cans - No propane tanks or cylinders (lids and caps removed). Accepted Item 7 of 10: Image showing examples of paper items and containers. Newspapers, Boxboard and Household Paper - Cereal boxes, envelopes, egg cartons. Accepted Item 8 of 10: Image showing flattened, bundled and non-waxed cardboard boxes. Corrugated Boxes - Pizza boxes, storage boxes (flattened, bundled and non-waxed). Accepted Item 9 of 10: Image showing examples of milk, cream and juice cartions and boxes. Beverage Cartons and Juice Boxes - Milk and juice cartons, juice boxes (empty and rinsed). Accepted Item 10 of 10: Image showing examples of spiral wound containers. Spiral Wound Containers - Paper-based cans such as frozen juice containers, coffee cans, chip cylinders and dough containers (empty and rinsed).

Contact your local municipality for curb-side set out requirements. 

Download the What's Accepted and Not Accepted PDF poster.

For more on what can go in the Blue Box, check out The Bin-dicator waste tool.

To view some of our advertising campaigns click here.

Learn more about the Region's recycling program and what happens to your Blue Box recyclables at the Region's Waste Management Centre by viewing our video (10:35).

What Can't Go in the Blue Box?

Poster showing materials that are not accepted in the York Region Blue Box. Image of common Blue Box used throughout York Region. Red X to help demonstrate that the 12 items mentioned below are not acceptable materials in the Blue Box. York Region logo in white on blue background. Not Accepted Item 1 of 12: Image showing examples of foam trays and cups. Polystyrene Foam - (i.e. Styrofoam) Foam plastic egg cartons, protective packaging and foam take-out food containers. Not Accepted Item 2 of 12: Image showing examples of bubbled plastic wrap and plastic packaging. Formed or Bubbled Plastic Packaging - Plastic packaging for toys or electronics. Not Accepted Item 3 of 12: Image showing bagged plastic bottles. Plastic Bags - Grocery, bread, produce, frozen vegetable bags and bagged recyclables. Not Accepted Item 4 of 12: Image showing a roll of plastic wrap, wax paper and plastic baggies. Plastic Wrap - Plastic food wrap, wax paper and other plastic film. Not Accepted Item 5 of 12: Image showing paper towels, facial tissue and a potato chip bag. Facial Tissue, Paper Towels, Cookie Bags, Potato Chip Bags Not Accepted Item 6 of 12: Image showing plastic-bagged shredded paper. Shredded Paper - Can be taken to a Community Environmental Centre or placed in Green Bin. Not Accepted Item 7 of 12: Image showing examples of household hazardous waste containers, such as, automotive oil, windshield washer fluid and gas container. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) - Paint, motor oil, needles, cleaners and batteries (take these to an HHW Depot). No motor oil containers in Blue Box. Not Accepted Item 8 of 12: Image showing a large mirror, metal hangers and a light bulb. Coat Hangers, Mirrors, Window Glass, Light Bulbs Not Accepted Item 9 of 12: Image showing examples of drinking glasses, tea cups, metal pots, pans and dishes. Drinking Glasses, Cups, Dishes, Pots, Pans, Utensils. Plastic Toys. Not Accepted Item 11 of 12: Image showing a red, plastic lawn chair and a green garden hose. Lawn Furniture, Garden Hose, Rope. Not Accepted Item 12 of 12: Image showing various coloured and patterned fabric. Textiles - Shoes, clothing, linens and towels. For more information about accepted and non-accepted items in the Blue Box please contact Leslie Gilbert by e-mail at Leslie.Gilbert@york.ca or by phone at 1-905-830-4444, extension 5786.

Download the What's Accepted and Not Accepted PDF poster.

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Important Blue Box Reminders

Please note the following requirement for your Blue Box materials:

  1. Plastic sleeves must be removed from your newspapers. Plastic sleeves do not go in the Blue Box. These can either be reused or disposed as garbage.

  2. Plastic wrap must be removed from cardboard containers, such as pop can cases and water bottle cases before placing in the Blue Box. Plastic wrap can be disposed as garbage.

  3. No plastic bags of any kind are accepted in the Blue Box. Therefore, bagged recyclables are not accepted. Recyclables must be placed loose in your Blue Box.

  4. Not all plastic items can go in the Blue Box. Plastic cups, plates, toys, accessories, etc. do not go in the Blue Box. Please click on The Bin-dicator for alternative options. Only rigid plastic food containers and household cleaning containers can go in the Blue Box (see image above).

  5. Bagged garbage does not belong in your Blue Box. Please set out with your garbage on your designated collection day.

  6. Dishes, metal pots and pans and utensils do not belong in the Blue Box. If in good condition these can be donated for reuse at a Community Environmental Centre.

  7. Please do not place recyclables inside cardboard boxes or any recyclables inside another recyclable. This makes it more difficult for the materials to be separated and sorted properly.

  8. Please flatten and bundle your cardboard. Check with your local municipality for maximum size requirements.

  9. Please do not place oversized containers in your Blue Box. Items larger than 23 cm (9 inch) diameter are not accepted. (Examples include large pails, water cooler bottles, and oversized cardboard boxes not broken down).
  10. Please do not place hazardous materials or electronics in your Blue Box. Examples include propane cylinders, batteries and cell phones. These can be delivered free of charge to a York Region Household Hazardous Waste depot.

 

Plastic Bags and Plastic Film

 
Plastic Bags are not accepted in the Blue Bin

Plastic bags, wrap and film are not accepted in the Blue Box recycling program. Examples of plastic bags and film include clear plastic bags containing recyclables; grocery bags; plastic sleeves containing newspapers; and plastic wrap found on water bottle cases.

Why are plastic bags, wrap and film not accepted?

York Region offers a co-mingled blue box system allowing residents to set their Blue Box recyclables at the curb unsorted, saving time and reducing collection costs for local municipalities. The mixed Blue Box materials are then processed through the Region's automated sorting equipment at the recycling facility. Plastic bags, wrap and film get caught in our equipment, resulting in the equipment shutting down and the possible risk of fire. Plastic wrap is also a source of contamination in the final sorted products.

 Plastic bags stuck in machine

Plastic bags caught in sorting screens for corrugated cardboard

What can you do:

 
  • Do not place recyclables in plastic bags. Set out your recyclables at the curb in your Blue Box. For additional Blue Boxes please contact your local municipality.
  • Remove the plastic sleeve from newspapers before recycling. Place newspapers in the blue box and plastic sleeves in the garbage or see if your paper delivery person can reuse them.
  • Remove the plastic wrapping from water bottle and pop can cases. Place the case in the Blue Box and the plastic wrapping in the garbage.
  • Grocery bags are returnable to many retailers in York Region. Click here to learn more about York Regions Plastic Bag Take-Back Program.

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Shredded Paper

shredded paper is not accepted in the blue bin but is accepted at CEC depots

Why is shredded paper not accepted in the Blue Box program?

 

Shredded paper, either loose or in plastic bags, is very difficult for York Region's recycling facility to manage. This facility is designed to sort the Region's recyclables mechanically by using specialized equipment that separates the materials by size, shape and weight. Shredded paper is too small and light. Due to its light weight nature and physical shape, shredded paper ends up passing through the mechanical screens and contaminates the mixed broken glass.

 Photo of shredded paper contamination of glass recycling
Pile of mixed broken glass contaminated with shredded paper.

What you can do:

Shred Less
  • Only a small portion of documents need to be shredded.  For example, bills and bank statements - only the name, address and account number needs to be shredded, not the entire page.
  • To reduce shredding, tear off your personal information for shredding and place the rest of the page in your Blue Box.
Compost
  • Shredded paper is compostable and can be placed in your backyard composter.

  • Small amounts of shredded paper can be placed in your Green Bin.

    • Shredded paper in the Green Bin must be placed in certified compostable bags. 
Recycle shredded paper at our Community Environmental Centres

Shredded paper can be dropped off for recycling at the following depots:

  • Elgin Mills CEC
  • McCleary Court CEC

Blue Box Collection

The nine local municipalities in York Region are responsible for the curbside collection of your Blue Box items. For details regarding your municipal collection program, contact your local municipality:

 
 
 

What Happens After Collection?

Watch our Waste Management Centre video to learn more.

  • Collection trucks empty the materials onto the tipping floor, where they are pushed onto a conveyor belt, which takes them to the first of three sorting rooms.
  • Materials are then sorted manually (by hand) and also by mechanical equipment such as magnets, star screens and eddy current separators.  The result is separated paper fibres, glass, steel, plastic and aluminum containers and waste.
  • The majority of separated materials are then baled (made into cubes to make it easier to transport).
  • The materials are then stored awaiting shipment to various recycling markets.
  • From this point, the recycled materials leave the Waste Management Centre to become new products for consumers.

Click here for more blue box information.

Recycling Facts

 
  • You can save enough energy to light a 100 watt light bulb for four hours by recycling one glass bottle back into a new bottle.
  • Recycled plastic can be used to make plastic lumber, which is said to hold nails and screws better than wood.  This durable material can last for approximately 20 years and is maintenance free.  Please check with your local building department before purchasing these recycled building materials.
  • The amount of energy saved from using one tonne of recycled aluminum instead of new materials can be used to power the average home for about two years.
  • The Canadian Pulp and Paper Association states that approximately 71% of the fibre used in making Canadian pulp and paper now comes from recycled fibres that used to go into landfills.
  • A glass bottle that is not recycled and instead sent to a landfill would take about 1 million years to break down.
  • Approximately 95% of Blue Box materials go on to be recycled into new products.  The reason why about 5% of the items put into the Blue Box are not recycled is because the materials are usually too contaminated with non-recyclable materials.  This shows how important it is to make sure your materials are clean and recyclable in the Region before placing them into the Blue Box.

Contact Us

For more information, please e-mail us at: EnvironmentalServices@york.ca or call the Region at 1-877-449-9675 ext. 3000 for waste management information.
Quick Links
contact us link to page
bindicator image link to waste web tool
Recycle Cooking Oil Quick Link Button
Community Environmental Centres (CEC's)
Recycle your plastics quick link button
2011 Annual Diversion Report Link
 
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