OTTAWA – A significant transformation of Ottawa’s recycling system officially takes effect today, January 1, 2026, introducing a wider range of recyclable materials and a shift in collection management. Under a new province-wide framework mandated by the Ontario government, the responsibility for recycling has transitioned from the municipality to a producer-led organization called Circular Materials. This change means that for the first time, residents can include previously prohibited items such as coffee cups (paper and plastic-lined), toothpaste tubes, ice cream tubs, and black plastic containers in their blue bins for processing.
While the city will continue to manage the collection of organic waste (green bins) and standard garbage, recycling will now be handled by a private contractor, Miller Waste Services, on behalf of Circular Materials. Residents are advised that while their scheduled collection day will remain the same, the timing of the pickup may vary as new crews and routes are established. Authorities have confirmed that citizens can continue to use their existing blue and black bins, but those requiring new or replacement bins must now contact Miller Waste Services directly rather than the City of Ottawa. This shift to an “Individual Producer Responsibility” model aims to streamline recycling across Ontario, holding the companies that produce packaging accountable for its end-of-life disposal.
