York Region mayors declare win in blue bin cart showdown

New blue box recycling bin.(Rob Hindi/AM800 News)

Aurora’s mayor says the fight over blue bin sizes in northern York Region has finally tipped in residents’ favour — and he’s calling it a win after weeks of tension with Circular Materials.

In a social media post Thursday, Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas said residents would soon be able to swap out the oversized 95-gallon recycling carts now being delivered across the Northern Six municipalities for a smaller option.

He said the development marks the outcome the mayors have been pushing for since the rollout began.

“I am pleased to announce that we have confirmed that a smaller blue bin cart option will be made available for Aurora residents,” Mrakas wrote, adding that people will be able to request an exchange online or by phone starting next week. “I will provide more detailed information beginning next week on how you can request a smaller bin if you choose.”

He thanked the premier, Environment Minister Todd McCarthy, GFL, and his fellow N6 mayors for working “tirelessly, together, to push for a solution that respects the needs and feedback of our residents.”

Mrakas closed the post with his signature hashtag #LeadershipThatGetsThingsDone.

Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk shared a similar update, saying delivery of the larger bins is underway but that Circular Materials will meet with N6 mayors on Friday to confirm how residents across the region can request either a 95-gallon or 65-gallon cart.

The breakthrough comes after a tense week in which the mayors of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket and Stouffville publicly pushed back against the recycling provider.

They argued residents weren’t warned the new system — part of Ontario’s switch to a producer-run recycling model on Jan. 1 — would come with oversized carts and a shift from weekly to bi-weekly pickup.

The mayors said the 95-gallon bins were too large for many households and inaccessible for seniors, people with mobility issues and homes with limited storage.

They also criticized Circular Materials for not consulting local staff and for refusing, until now, to commit to making smaller carts available, even as the province signalled its support for more flexible options.

Circular Materials has maintained it is reviewing bin sizes and evaluating solutions.

Earlier this week, CEO Allen Langdon said the company is “working toward identifying a solution that meets residents’ needs.”

But frustration among the N6 leaders had been growing to the point that they warned they would ask the province to cancel the company’s contract if changes weren’t made.

The new program also means changes to the schedule for northern York Region residents from a weekly pickup to bi-weekly collection.

The province-wide program starting in 2026 will also standardize what can be recycled, expanding the list to include items such as black plastic, coffee cups, frozen juice containers, and deodorant tubes.