Blue box program in Windsor-Essex transitioning to new recycling carts in 2026

New recycling carts are being delivered as a new province wide initiative starts in January. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has more.

Residents across Windsor-Essex will soon notice new blue recycling carts appearing at their homes as the region prepares to transition to Ontario’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) recycling system.

Carts are being delivered across the region this month as part of a province-wide shift that will see producers, not municipalities, take on the cost and operation of recycling programs starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The change will introduce a single-stream collection system, meaning residents can combine all recyclable materials into one large rolling cart rather than sorting items into separate blue boxes.

“It’s a large bin, but for some it may not be large enough,” said LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche. “That was a concern I was hearing from a lot of our residents… what if I need more? You cannot bundle boxes and put it beside the recycling because it won’t get picked up.”

Meloche said each household will receive one cart, with additional ones available for purchase.

Circular Materials tells CTV News an additional cart can be requested.

“Residents are being asked to break down or flatten their recycling to ensure that all items can be included in the cart and collected by the truck. If residents are repeatedly requiring additional space or are regularly holding recycling to the next collection, they can request a second cart through GFL customer service,” said a statement from Circular Materials.

Collection will happen every other week, and old blue and red boxes will no longer be accepted after the final pickup at the end of December.

“It’s biweekly… One big bin that you can roll out to your driveway,” Meloche explained. “It’s collected by a hydraulic arm, which is why the smaller bins won’t be accepted anymore.”

Under the new system, GFL Environmental will handle collection on behalf of Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization responsible for operating Ontario’s new recycling program for packaging and paper products.

“This program is no longer run by municipalities,” Meloche continued. “It’s a provincially mandated change through Circular Materials, and they’ve contracted GFL. So, if residents have questions or concerns, they’ll need to contact GFL directly, not their town.”

Meloche said she expects a few bumps as the region adjusts.

“I think it’s going to be a bit of a learning curve for all of us,” she said. “It just seems like everything’s happening at once, and unfortunately, the information didn’t come beforehand… that’s why we’re seeing a lot of confusion and concern from residents.”

Circular Materials CEO Allen Langdon said the transition will make recycling simpler and more consistent across Ontario.

“Starting in 2026, residents will be able to recycle the same and even more materials no matter where they live,” Langdon said in an email. “This new unified material list in Ontario will make it easier for residents to recycle, improving recovery rates and benefitting both people and the environment.”

New materials being added to the province-wide list include hot and cold beverage cups, deodorant and toothpaste tubes, ice cream tubs, black plastic containers and frozen juice containers.

Some LaSalle residents say they’re optimistic about the change.

“I think it’s awesome,” exclaimed Diane Pastorius. “It’s got wheels, so we can just walk it out instead of worrying about overfilling one bin.”

Resident Fulvio Silvestri said he likes the simplicity.

“The paper, the plastic, the glass, everything is one bin. So very nice and easy.”

But others, like Sharon Colantonio, say accessibility will matter.

“A lot of people on my street are older and don’t like lugging heavy cans,” she said. “If it’s got a good handle and it’s easy to roll, that would be a good idea.”

Meloche said the municipality will continue working with both Circular Materials and the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority to help ensure residents are ready by January.

“It’s not going to be perfect at first,” she said. “But we’ll get there and figure it out together.”