Recycle More Than Ever!You can now recycle more materials using your blue box.
In addition to the existing plastics, fibres, metals and glass that are collected, York Region will now accept:
To view our advertising campaign click here. These ads were placed in local newspapers, on the back of buses and in restaurants, fitness clubs and golf clubs across the Region.
On December 4, 2009, an episode of A Greener York, on Rogers Cable, featured a segment on Blue Box Recycling in York Region. To learn about more about the Region's recycling program and how to recycle properly, click here to access the video. |
What Can Be Recycled?
For more examples of items that can be placed in the Blue Box, click here.
What Not to Recycle
Plastic Bags and Plastic Film
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Plastic bags and plastic film are not accepted in the Blue Box recycling program. 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 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 Blue Box materials are then processed through the Region's automated sorting equipment at our recycling facility. Plastic bags and film can get caught in our equipment, resulting in the facility shutting down or the possible risk of fire. Plastic film is also a source of contamination in the final sorted products. |
 Plastic bags caught in sorting screens for corrugated cardboard |
How you can help:
- Set out your recyclables at the curb in your Blue Box. For additional Blue Boxes please contact your local municipality.
- Use reusable bags or grocery bins at the grocery store to eliminate the use of plastic grocery bags when shopping.
- Grocery bags are returnable to many retailers in York Region. Click here to learn more about York Regions Plastic Bag Take-Back Program.
- Remove the plastic sleeve from newspapers before recycling. Place newspapers in the blue box and plastic sleeves in the garbage.
- 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.
York Region's Plans for the Future
Alternatives to the Blue Box Container:
York Region and its 9 local municipalities are investigating alternative options to the Blue Box container. Options being considered include recycling carts, Blue Boxes with lids, reusable waste containers with "Recycling" stickers as well as clear plastic bags.
Plastic Film & Grocery Bags:
The Region is also taking steps to lobby organizations and governments responsible for policy decisions that impact industries responsible for overpackaging. This extended producer responsibility would make businesses accountable for their own plastic grocery bags and disposal.
Waste Diversion Strategy:
York Region remains committed to diverting waste from landfill. The Region has already increased its diversion from 24% to 53% in just 4 years and is working to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste going to landfill by recycling, composting and reusing waste wherever possible. For more information on our Waste Diversion Strategy, click here (this is a large file and may take a few minutes to load).
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 physically different in size to other Blue Box materials and the processing machines are not designed to handle this material. Due to its light weight nature and physical shape, shredded paper ends up passing through the mechanical screens and is mixed with the broken glass. |
 Pile of mixed broken glass contaminated with shredded paper. |
How you can help:
Shred Less
We realize that many households shred their personal documents in order to protect themselves from identity theft, but steps can be made to reduce the amount you shred.
- 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 plastic bags to prevent it from causing litter. Plastic bags are permitted in the Green Bin program as this material is processed in a different manner. The Green Bin material is composted and plastic bags are screened from the final product, while the Blue Box materials are mechanically sorted and separated into 12 different product lines.
Recycle shredded paper at our Special Events
- York Region's Waste Management Branch will be hosting special events this year where household shredded paper collected in clear plastic bags can be dropped off for recycling.
- For more information on dates and locations, click here.
York Region's Plans for the Future
Shredded Paper:
York Region is developing plans to increase its waste management infrastructure to include Community Environmental Centres. These convenient locations will offer residents a place where they can drop off a variety of items for recycling and reuse. Shredded paper would be one of the many materials accepted here along with reusable goods (such as textiles and housewares), Styrofoam and yard waste. Click here to learn more about Community Environmental Centres.
Blue Box Collection
The nine local municipalities in York Region are responsible for the collection of your Blue Box items. For details regarding your municipal collection program, please click on one of the following links:
| Aurora | Newmarket |
| East Gwillimbury | Richmond Hill |
| Georgina | Vaughan |
| King | Whitchurch-Stouffville |
| Markham |
To ensure curbside collection, please set out your recyclable materials in your Blue Box. Plastic bags are not accepted in our recycling program. 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 blue box materials are then processed through our automated sorting equipment at our recycling facility. Plastic bags get jammed in our equipment; it is also a source of contamination for the final sorted products. Help us recycle more efficiently by using your Blue Box.
What Happens After Collection?
Have you ever wondered what happens to your recyclables once they are picked up from the curb? Read on and find out!
- Blue Box materials are picked up from the curb in residential areas and taken to the Region's Waste Management Centre.
- The trucks then dump 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), except certain materials like newspaper and glass, which are shipped loose.
- 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 Depots
The Region operates recycling depots in Georgina and East Gwillimbury. These facilities take recyclable materials from Regional residents only.
Recycling Depot in Georgina
Recyclable Materials Accepted
| Cardboard | Electronic Equipment |
| Metal Cans | Scrap Metal |
| Large Metal Appliances | Boxboard |
| Household Paper Products | Glass Bottles and Jars |
| Soft and Hard Cover Books |
Rigid Plastic Food and Household
Cleaning Product Containers |
Recyclable materials are accepted free of charge.
Recycling Depot in East Gwillimbury
Recyclable Materials Accepted
| Scrap Metal | Large Metal Appliances |
| Boxboard | Cardboard |
| Electronic Equipment |
Recyclable materials are accepted free of charge.
NOTE: Tires, regular garbage, and yard waste will not be accepted. This facility only accepts material generated in York Region.
The municipality of Markham also operates their own recycling depots. Please visit their site to access information on acceptable materials, hours of operation and depot location.
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: recycling@york.ca or call the Region at (905) 895-1200 and press 3 for waste management information.