Blue box recyclables are collected every week on your scheduled collection day. To determine your collection day, please check our online Recycle Coach app or refer to the Waste and Recycling Calendar.
Remember to place blue boxes at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before collection. Ensure that blue box material set out for collection is in accordance with the Town's waste program requirements. Please remove emptied containers and any uncollected waste from the curb by 8 p.m. on collection day.
For more information on what goes where, check out Newmarket's Recycle Coach app or York Region's Bindicator.
COVID-19 Waste Collection Reminders- Medical masks, gloves, and used tissues DO NOT belong in the Blue Box. Please place these items in the garbage.
- Throw used tissues, latex gloves and medical masks in a wastebasket lined with a plastic bag in the garbage.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after throwing those items away as well as after emptying your waste basket.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- All garbage bags must be tied. Loose materials left in garbage containers will be left behind.
- For your safety and that of our waste collectors, it's vital that you respect physical distancing. Please keep a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) at all times.
- For those who are sick or test positive for COVID-19: Place all disposable items that have come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage -- this includes recyclables such as plastic water bottles, pop cans or milk cartons, or compostables such as facial tissue or paper napkins.
- Double-bag and place rapid at-home test kit materials in the garbage (please ensure bag is securely tied before placing in the garbage). Paper boxes and instructions can be placed in the Blue Box for recycling. Businesses must make arrangements with a private company to dispose of this item (click here for more information).
Acceptable Containers- Blue boxes issued by the Town of Newmarket.
- Blue boxes that are open-topped plastic containers that are clearly and easily identifiable as containing blue box recyclables. Blue boxes must not exceed 21 in. (53 cm) in height, 16 in. (40 cm) in width and 19 in. (48 cm) in length or 83 Litres (22 gallons).
Unacceptable Containers- Cardboard boxes
- Containers with attached or detachable lids
- Garbage bags (in any colour)
- Garbage containers
- Wheeled containers and oversized containers
Cardboard and Other Waste Paper MaterialCardboard, magazines, newspapers and boxboard may be placed beside your blue box if flattened, bundled and tied with twine or string (no rope). Bundles must not exceed 36 in. x 36 in. x 8 in. (90 cm x 90 cm x 20 cm).
Weight LimitThe
maximum weight per blue box and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs). Includes bundles.
Waste set-out Reminders- Place blue boxes at the curb by 7 a.m. for collection on your scheduled collection day. Do not place containers on the road or sidewalk as it may pose as a hazard to vehicular traffic and other residents. Proper placement will also help avoid damage to containers and will reduce interference with Town operations.
- Keep blue boxes separate from your neighbours.
- Do not overfill blue boxes.
- During winter months, do not place blue boxes on top of or behind snow banks as it can be difficult for the collection operator to access, and may cause waste material to spill onto the roadway.
- Maximum weight per blue box and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs). Includes bundles.
Additional Blue BoxesTo purchase additional blue boxes, please email [email protected] with your name, phone number, address and number of bins required. Our Customer Service Centre will be in touch with you regarding payment and delivery. Please do not send payment information through email. You
can also call 905-953-5303 to place your order. Broken Blue BoxesBlue boxes are replaced free of charge if broken. Residents can call Green for Life (GFL) at 1-866-421-5625 to schedule a replacement bin exchange. Broken blue boxes must be at the curb on the date of exchange in order to receive a replacement bin.
What Happens to my Blue Box Material?The Town of Newmarket manages the collection of blue box materials, which are delivered to York Region's Material Recovery Facility for processing. To learn more about what happens to your blue box recyclables after collection,
watch this video!
Acceptable MaterialsAcceptable materials include:
- Newsprint such as catalogues, magazines, telephone books, newspapers, advertising flyers and any other newspaper inserts (newspapers still in the plastic wrapper are not acceptable).
- Paper items such as writing paper, computer paper, flyers and envelopes, egg cartons, greeting cards, and tissue paper.
- Clear and coloured glass bottles and jars that once contained food or beverages (please rinse and separate lids).
- Metal cans that once contained food or beverages (please rinse).
- Cardboard boxes such as appliance boxes, moving boxes, pizza boxes (clean), and any other corrugated cardboard (bundled no larger than 36” x 36” and tied no thicker than 8”).
- Rinsed and empty plastic bottles, drink containers (no straws), jars and jugs (used for beverage, food and cleaning products), food tubs (yogurt, margarine, etc.), clear fruit and vegetable containers, and clear take-out containers.
Unacceptable MaterialsUnacceptable materials include:
- Polystyrene foam items such as foam egg cartons, meat trays, protective packaging, packaging peanuts, take-out food and beverage containers.
- Plate glass, window glass, headlights, light bulbs, drinking glasses, cups, dishes, cookware, ceramics, mirrors.
- Grocery, bread, produce and frozen vegetable bags, plastic film/wrap, bubble wrap, re-sealable zipped food bags, plastic straws and cutlery, pill or gum packets, black plastic take-out containers.
- Diapers, wax paper, garden hose, rope, shredded paper, paper towels, cookie bags, potato chip bags, textiles, coat hangers, pots, pans, kitchen utensils, plastic toys, lawn furniture, furnace filters, coffee cups.
- Household hazardous waste such as batteries, full/partially full paint cans, full/partially full aerosol containers.
- Food waste.
Blue Box Transition
Between July 2023 and December 2025, municipalities across Ontario will transition their Blue Box programs from a shared responsibility model of the current Blue Box program to a new, producer-led responsibility model, often referred to as 'full' or 'extended producer responsibility'. Under this new system, producers of Blue Box materials will be responsible for fully funding and operating the recycling program.
On December 31, 2025, the Town of Newmarket is scheduled to transition to a new Blue Box collector.
In 2026, the Blue Box program will see additional enhancements, including a wider-range and standardized list of accepted items across the province.
Blue Box collection will be provided to schools (public and private from kindergarten to Grade 12), non-profit retirement and long-term care homes, and multi-residential properties (e.g., apartments and condos).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Blue Box program changing?Since July 2023, the Blue Box program has been gradually transitioning from being operated by municipalities to being fully operated by producers (companies that produce Blue Box materials sold in Ontario). Under the new Blue Box regulation, producers are responsible for collecting and recycling Blue Box materials. Producers fulfill their regulatory obligations through Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), which have established a single, province-wide common collection system administered by
Circular Materials (CM), a non-profit organization.
Under this new system, CM will oversee the collection of Blue Box materials from homes, residential buildings, and the residential portions of mixed commercial and residential properties across Ontario. By January 1, 2026, all municipalities in Ontario will have fully transitioned to this new producer responsibility collection system, marking a significant shift toward greater accountability and sustainability in waste management.
Effective December 31, 2025, CM will take over the delivery of residential Blue Box recycling collection services currently managed by the Town of Newmarket. The contractor responsible for recycling collection will be announced once confirmed by CM.
The Town of Newmarket continues to maintain responsibility for the curbside collection of:
- Garbage and large/oversized household items (e.g. couches and tables)
- Green bin organics
- Leaf and yard waste
- Metal goods (e.g. BBQs and dishwashers)
Why are these changes happening?The Government of Ontario introduced legislation that transforms the management and collection of Blue Box materials in the province. The
Blue Box Regulation, enacted under the
Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, is a cornerstone of Ontario’s
Strategy for a Waste Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy.
This regulation shifts the current cost-sharing model, which divides expenses between municipal taxpayers and producers of Blue Box materials, to a new system where producers are fully responsible for funding, operating, and meeting performance targets for the recycling program. Producers will be accountable for collecting and recycling Blue Box materials, reporting to the
Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA), and achieving progressively higher recycling targets.
By placing the full financial, operational, and performance responsibility on producers, this new approach creates a direct incentive to minimize waste and enhance recycling efforts, leading to reduced natural resource extraction, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Who will be responsible for Blue Box collection?Since July 2023, the Blue Box program has been gradually transitioning from being operated by municipalities to being fully operated by producers (companies that produce Blue Box materials sold in Ontario). To meet their regulatory obligations, producers are working collectively through Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), who have established a unified, province-wide collection system.
Circular Materials (CM), a non-profit organization, has been designated as the administrator of this common collection system. CM will manage the collection of Blue Box materials from homes, residential buildings, and the residential sections of mixed-use properties across Ontario.
By January 1, 2026, all municipalities in Ontario will have transitioned to this new producer-led responsibility system, ensuring a standardized and sustainable approach to recycling across the province.
Will the curbside program change for residential properties?Residential properties should not expect any changes to the program as Circular Materials (CM) must maintain current service levels during the transition period (until December 31, 2025).
However, beginning January 1, 2026, CM can make changes to the Blue Box program including what is accepted and how material is collected. CM will also be responsible for informing residents of any changes.
What about multi-residential properties?Multi-residential properties are eligible for collection under the new producer responsibility system. These changes will impact existing customers, new developments, and properties currently using private Blue Box collection services in different ways.
Multi-residential properties receiving Town-provided service:
Effective December 31, 2025, multi-residential properties that currently receive Town-provided recycling collection will transition their Blue Box recycling collection to the new producer responsibility program.
Multi-residential properties that do not receive Town-provided service:
Starting January 1, 2026, all existing multi-residential properties in the province, including those receiving private recycling collection, will become eligible for free recycling collection through the producer responsibility program. More information will be made available to property owners and managers about how to coordinate recycling collection once the registration process has been formalized.
What about Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) properties?In Ontario, Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) waste is regulated separately from residential waste. Producers are not responsible for the collection or management of Blue Box material from the following ‘non-eligible’ sources:
- Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) properties
- Daycares
- Places of worship
- Businesses in BIAs
- Non-profit/charitable organizations and shelters
- Post-secondary institutions (public or private)
- Municipal facilities and community centres (e.g. libraries, arenas)
For properties that have both residential and commercial units, producers are only required to collect from those units that are defined as an eligible source.
Effective January 1, 2026, the Town’s recycling collection program for IC&I locations will be discontinued, and these properties will need to make alternate arrangements as they will not be serviced by Circular Materials as per the Ontario Government’s regulation. Garbage and organics collection will not be affected.
The Town is currently exploring a waste management strategy for the Downtown area which will include recycling diversion opportunities.
Why is the Town discontinuing recycling collection for IC&I locations?As of January 1, 2026, all municipalities, including the Town of Newmarket, will no longer manage recycling services and are not obligated to do so under the new Blue Box regulation. The potential costs to the Town to continue to provide recycling collection services to IC&I properties (non-eligible sources) would be significantly higher than current rates, adding a significant cost to taxpayers. Non-eligible sources represent a small fraction (1%) of total properties that receive recycling collection provided by the Town.
Who do I contact if I have a Blue Box collection issue?Starting December 31, 2025, the Town will no longer provide Blue Box related services. The contractor responsible for recycling collection will be announced once confirmed by Circular Materials. Contact information will be made available before the end of 2025. You can continue to contact the Town about curbside waste collection for garbage, organics, yard waste, and any other questions about non-blue box waste.
