Plastic Bag Take-Back Program
Ontarians use an estimated seven million plastic bags each day, which is roughly 80 bags per second. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down. York Region started the Plastic Bag Take-Back program to let residents know they can bring their plastic bags back to retailers to be recycled. This reduces the number of bags being sent to landfill.
What is the Plastic Bag Take-Back Program?
Recycled plastic bags are used to make things like new plastic bags, plastic lumber, patio furniture and park benches.
You can search the areas below for participating stores. Please be advised that locations are subject to change, it is suggested to contact the store ahead of time to confirm their continued participation.
How do I Recycle my Plastic Bags?
It is easy to recycle plastic bags!
- Turn your plastic shopping bags inside out
- Stuff your plastic shopping bags into one bag
- Drop them off at a Take-Back bin at a participating store
Aurora
Real Canadian Superstore
15900 Bayview Avenue
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 7Y3
Telephone: 905-726-9532
Metro
1 Henderson Road
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 1J7
Telephone: 905-727-0185
East Gwillimbury
No participating locations.
Georgina
Zehrs
24018 Woodbine Ave
Keswick, Ontario
L4P 3E9
Telephone: 905-476-1318
King
Foodland
17250 Highway 27
Schomberg, Ontario
L0G 1T0
Telephone: 905-939-7372
Markham
Loblaws
200 Bullock Drive
Markham, Ontario
L3P 1W2
Telephone: 905-294-4922
Newmarket
Real Canadian Superstore
18120 Yonge Street
Newmarket, Ontario
L9N 0J3
Telephone: 905-830-4072
Metro
1111 Davis Drive
Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 2R9
Telephone: 905-853-5355
Richmond Hill
Loblaws
301 High Tech Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B 4R2
Telephone: 905-771-1066
Vaughan
Longos
2810 Major Mackenzie Drive
Maple, Ontario
L6A 1R8
Telephone: 905-417-0207
Longos
5283 Rutherford Road
Woodbridge, Ontario
L4H 2T2
Telephone: 905-850-7013
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Metro
5612 Main Street
Stouffville, Ontario
L4A 8B7
Telephone: 905-642-4300
Walmart
1050 Hoover Park Drive
Whitchurch-Stouffville
L4A 0K2
Telephone: 905-640-8848
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are plastic bags and film not accepted in York Region’s Blue Box program?
Many municipal blue box recycling programs accept different materials depending on available resources and infrastructure. York Region does not accept plastic bags and film in the blue box because:
- Plastic bags get tangled up in the sorting machinery at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
- There are increased costs to sort by hand
- There are increased maintenance costs to remove tangled bags and significant downtime while machines are repaired
- Plastic bags and film may contaminate other recyclables
- There are limited local end markets for processed plastic bags
What happens if I put my plastic bags/film in the blue box anyway?
Workers at the MRF need to remove it by hand and will dispose of it as garbage.
What types of plastic bags/film are accepted at which participating retailers?
It is suggested that you call the store prior to dropping off your plastic bags. Most programs accept clean and dry newspaper bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, toilet paper wrap, paper towel wrap and T-shirt bag wraps. A good rule of thumb is, if the plastic can be stretched, it is good for recycling.