Ontario will finally recycle coffee cups

Blue box program across Simcoe County and Muskoka will see updated lists of acceptable products in 2026. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Recyclable goods may change in Simcoe County in 2026, however, schedules will remain the same.

The huge difference is the addition of the restaurant-bought coffee cups to your recycling bins.

In addition, black plastic containers, frozen juice containers, ice cream tubs, deodorant and toothpaste tubes can be tossed in the blue bins or blue-lidded bins as of January 1.

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“There are no changes to your recycling schedule or the carts you are using,” said Jennifer Kerr, director of community and media relations for Ontario at Circular Materials.

Kerr said this includes communities in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Clearview, Collingwood, Midland, New Tecumseh, Oro-Medonte, Penetanguishene, Severn, Springwater and Tay.

The only change residents may notice is a new collection contractor, Emterra.

Updated information will be available on its community page on the Circular Materials website.

In the District of Muskoka, including Bracebridge, Georgian Bay, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays, and Muskoka Lakes, there will be no changes to collection services - residents can continue using their existing blue boxes and will have the same weekly collections.

Only the Township of Lake of Bays will continue to recycle through its local depot and its collection provider will remain the same in this region.

Barrie will see no changes to their collection schedule, blue boxes or contractor.