Recycling

Recycling is an important way to reduce what we send to landfill and capture materials that can be made into new materials! Recycling programs vary from municipality to municipality, so it's always best to check and be sure you can recycle it - don't be a "wish-cycler!"

Starting July 1, 2023, please direct all residential recycling inquiries, and new or replacement Blue Box needs to GFL at 1-888-941-3345 ext. 1. This Blue Box transition with Circular Materials Ontario will result in no change to the materials you can recycle or your collection calendar. For more information on the Blue Box Transition and for residential recycling information, visit www.circularmaterials.ca/dufferincounty

For Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) recycling, please see below for a list of acceptable & non-acceptable material and recycling tips.

  • Acceptable Blue Box materials
    • Aerosol and paint cans (must be empty, dry and lid off)
      Hairspray, spray paint, air freshener, household paints, stains, etc. 
       
    • Aluminum cans, plates, foil & trays
      Pop cans, pie plates, clean foil, baking trays, etc. 

       
    • Beverage cartons & boxes
      Juice and soup boxes, Tetra Packs, milk & juice cartons, etc. 

       
    • Corrugated cardboard & boxboard (flattened and less than 1.2 m (4 ft) long, 20 kg (44 lbs))
      Cereal boxes, tissue boxes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, pizza boxes, egg cartons, drink trays, etc. 

       
    • Glass jars & bottles (all colours, remove lids and place in the Blue Box separately)
      Pickle jar, olive oil bottle, etc.

       
    • Paper, office paper, newspapers, magazines, books (remove hard covers from books and place in garbage)
      Envelopes, letters, construction paper, folders, inserts, flyers, telephone books, etc. 

       
    • Plastic containers, bottles, jugs & jars (#1-5 & 7, leave caps on)
      Water bottles, soft drink bottles, laundry jugs, vinegar and oil jugs, shampoo, deodorant, plastic plant trays & pots, etc. 
       
    • Plastic tubs & lids (#1-5 & 7)
      Yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. 
       
    • Steel & tin cans
      Soup cans, tuna cans, lids from cans, etc.
  • Non-Acceptable Blue Box materials

    Garbage:

    • Blister packaging
    • Broken glass, window glass, drinking glasses, glass dishes, etc.
    • Christmas lights
    • Clothes, towels, shoes and linens
    • Coat hangers
    • Coffee pods (e.g. TassimoTM)
    • Construction waste (e.g. PVC, wood)
    • Cookie packaging and chip bags
    • Garden hoses
    • Pails and containers more than 5 gallons
    • Paper coffee cups and lids
    • Plastic and metal utensils
    • Plastic bags, wrap and films (packaging)
    • Plastic toys
    • #6 Polystyrene (e.g. StyrofoamTM, coffee cup lids, meat trays)
    • Pots and pans (cooking)
    • Recyclables that are contaminated or hazardous to process
    • Takeout cups and lids (e.g. coffee, soft drink cups)
    • Wrappers (e.g. candy, chocolate bars)
       

    Green Bin:

    • Food waste
    • Shredded paper and confetti
       

    Hazardous & Electronic:

    • Automotive containers
    • Hazardous waste
    • Medications/pharmaceuticals
    • Sharps/needles
    • Propane tanks
  • Recycling Tips
    • When in doubt, throw it out. 
      If you are not sure, it is better to put it in the garbage than contaminate the Blue Box. 
       
    • Ensure containers are empty. 
      A quick rinse is usually enough to remove contamination (i.e. food wastes, liquids). 
       
    • Papers and containers can be mixed together. 
      Dufferin’s recyclables are sent to a “single stream” facility where they can sort through paper and containers. 
       
    • Place recyclables loose in your Blue Box. 
      Each household is entitled to 2 free blue boxes. If you need more room, you can purchase another Blue Box or place items in a blue-tinted transparent bag for occasional overflow. 
       
    • Flatten boxboard and cardboard. 
      Tie large amounts of cardboard in bundles no more than 20 kg (44 lbs) and 1.2m (4 ft) in any dimension. 
       
    • On windy days, stack your Blue Boxes. 
      Place heavier items, such as phone books, glass jars and magazines on top. Consider using transparent blue recycling bags to help prevent recyclables from blowing away.
       
    • Shredded paper does not belong in your Blue Box. 
      Place it in your Green Bin. 
       
    • There is no limit on the amount of recyclables collected.
      However, each container/bag/bundle of recyclables must not exceed 20 kg (44 lbs).
       
    • Do not place any waste container on snow banks or icy surfaces.