Information for Residents

Here is some more information for residents about York Region's Plastic Bag Take-Back Program.

 

How do I find a list of the retailers involved?
Click here for the locations of retailers in York Region that collect plastic bags.
 
If plastic bags can be recycled, why can't I put them in my Blue Box?

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 get caught in our equipment resulting in the facility shutting down or even possible risk of fire. Plastic film is also a source of contamination in the final sorted products.
 
I'm confused. Should I be using my plastic bags in the Green Bin or should I be recycling them?

Plastic bags are currently accepted as liners in your Green Bin; however, the plastic bags are removed from the finished compost at the end of the process and are landfilled. To minimize the amount of plastic going to landfill, it is recommended that you reuse or recycle your plastic bags and use paper or compostable bags to line your Green Bin.  For more information on how your Green Bin waste gets processed click here.
 
What types of plastic bags are accepted?

Only plastic shopping bags are accepted.