Here’s what you need to know about changes to blue and black bin recycling in Ottawa on Jan. 1, 2026

In the new year, you’ll be able to put more items in your blue and black bins. CTV’s Katelyn Wilson reports.

Ottawa residents will be able to toss more items into the recycling bins in the new year, as changes are made to blue and black bin recycling across Ontario.

As of January 1, the City of Ottawa will no longer be responsible for collecting your blue and black bin, as the Ontario government shifts responsibility for collecting and processing recycling to producers of paper and packaging.

The city says you will be able to recycle more items in 2026, including toothpaste and hand cream tubes, plastic bags, hot and cold drink cups, frozen juice containers, chip bags and takeout containers.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you need to know about the new blue and black bin recycling rules in Ottawa as of Jan. 1, 2026.

When will blue and black bins be collected?

Your blue and black bins will be collected on the same day, on alternate weeks as usual, according to the city.

Continue to put your bins out by 7 a.m. on your collection day. The city says your bins will be collected by a different truck so collection may occur at a different time of day than usual.

Do I need to change my bins?

No, there will be no change in your blue and black box bins.

“You can continue to use your existing standard sized blue and black bins,” the city said.

New items in the recycling bin

The City of Ottawa says you will be able to recycle more items starting Jan. 1, including:

• Flexible plastic packaging: plastic bags, chip bags and bubble wrap.
• Foam packaging, such as meat trays, takeout containers and cups.
• Tubes: toothpaste tubes, deodorant and hand cream tubes.

What can you recycle

Here is a look at what you can recycle in your blue and black bins. A full list is available on the Circular Materials website.

Plastic and foam

• Hard plastic containers: Laundry detergent and household cleaner jugs. Shampoo, body wash, salad dressing, condiment, dish soap and mouth wash bottles, and plastic beverage bottles.
• Plastic packaging and containers: food, salad, yogurt, peanut butter, bakery and egg trays and containers, plastic cups, plastic tubs and lids.
• Tubes: Toothpaste tubes, deodorant, hand cream tubes
• Small item plastic packaging: Hand sanitizer bottles, medication bottles, blister packs, plant pots.
• Flexible plastic packaging: Bags used for dry cleaning, bread, newspapers and flyers, overwrap, coffee bags or deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal liner bags, plastic gift bags.
• Foam packaging: Meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls, foam packaging for products.

Metal/aluminum (foils and trays)

• Metal containers: Food cans, metal lids, cookie tins, coffee and tea tins, beverage cans.
• Aluminum (foils and trays): Aluminum foil, pie plates and frozen food trays.
• Aerosol containers: Food spray, hairspray, air fresheners, shaving cream and deodorant.

Glass

• Glass containers: clear and coloured glass, food containers, jars and bottles, cosmetic containers, spice bottles, oil and vinegar bottles, and non-alcoholic class beverage containers.

Paper laminate containers

• Spiral cans, cookie dough packages, ice cream containers, and hot and cold beverage cups

Cartons

• Dairy and dairy substitute cartons, molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, soup and sauce cartons, and coffee cartons.

Paper and fibre

• Cardboard boxes: Pizza boxes, direct mail boxes, moving boxes, shoe boxes
• Boxboard: Cereal boxes, tissue boxes, egg cartons, and rolls from toilet paper and paper towel.
• Paper laminate packaging: Pet food bags, food service paper bags, and plates.
• Paper: Any colour, including flour bags, prescription bags, paper produce bags, notepads, white or coloured loose paper, printed materials, greeting cards and envelopes, gift boxes, community newspapers, flyers, brochures and magazines.

No alcohol containers

Circular Materials says you will not be allowed to throw out beer, wine and liquor bottles.

“The regulation for Ontario’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) blue box program specifically excludes the collection of alcohol containers from the blue box, which is why we are directing residents not to include alcoholic beverage containers in their blue box. All alcohol containers, regardless of size, should be returned for a refund through the Ontario Deposit Return Program (ODRP),” Allen Langdon CEO of Circular Materials, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“As we work to enhance Ontario’s recycling system, our goal is to ensure a seamless transition for Ottawa residents, with residents experiencing no impact to their curbside recycling routines.”

Who to contact about recycling in 2026

The city says beginning Jan. 1, you can contact Miller Waste for questions related to recycling bins, missed collection and what you can recycle.

You can contact 1-888-852-2374 or [e-mail] for questions related to blue and black box recycling.

For any other recycling related questions, contact Circular Materials at [e-mail] or 1-877-667-2626.