Toronto Recycling Guide

♻️ your blue bin is collected every other week. here's what goes in it (and what definitely doesn't).

What Goes in the Blue Bin

PAPER & CARDBOARD
  newspapers, flyers, magazines
  cardboard boxes (flatten them)
  paper bags, envelopes
  wrapping paper (non-metallic)
  phone books, catalogues
  paper egg cartons
  paper cups (empty)

CONTAINERS
  plastic bottles & jugs (#1-7)
  plastic clamshells & tubs
  metal food cans & lids
  aluminum foil & trays (clean)
  glass bottles & jars (empty)
  milk/juice cartons & tetra paks
  aerosol cans (empty)
  spiral wound cans (like Pringles)

NEW IN 2026 (now accepted)
  foam polystyrene — clean foam plates,
    cups, egg cartons, takeout containers,
    meat & fish trays
  plastic bags & film — grocery & retail
    bags, bread bags, milk bags,
    frozen food bags, overwrap
  hot & cold beverage cups
    (paper and plastic-lined)

the accepted list expanded when Circular Materials took over collection on Jan 1, 2026 — foam, plastic film and beverage cups used to be garbage and are not anymore.

What Does NOT Go in the Blue Bin

NOT RECYCLING — these go somewhere else:
  black plastic --------> garbage
  compostable plastic --> garbage
  electronics ----------> drop-off depot
  batteries ------------> drop-off depot
  textiles/clothing ----> donation bin
  ceramics/mirrors -----> garbage
  drinking glasses -----> garbage
  diapers -------------> green bin
  food scraps ----------> green bin
  pizza boxes (greasy) -> green bin
  tissues & paper towel -> green bin
  garden hose ----------> garbage
  tanglers (wires) -----> garbage

Common Mistakes

things people get wrong all the time:

  ✗ bagging your recycling
    → put everything in the bin loose.
      plastic bags and film are recyclable
      now too — just toss them in loose
      rather than using one to bundle
      everything else.

  ✗ "wishcycling" (tossing stuff in hoping
    it's recyclable)
    → when in doubt, it's garbage.
      one wrong item can contaminate
      an entire load.

  ✗ not rinsing containers
    → a quick rinse is all it takes.
      doesn't have to be spotless.

  ✗ shredded paper
    → too small to sort. put it in
      a paper bag, then in the bin.

  ✗ black plastic containers
    → sorting machines can't detect them.
      these go in the garbage.

Is styrofoam recyclable in Toronto?

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, clean foam polystyrene goes in the blue bin — foam plates, cups, egg cartons, takeout containers and meat or fish trays. It used to be garbage. Give it a quick rinse first.

Can plastic bags go in the blue bin in Toronto?

Yes, as of 2026. Plastic bags and film — grocery and retail bags, bread bags, milk bags, frozen food bags and overwrap — are now accepted. Put them in loose rather than using one bag to hold the rest of your recycling.

Does black plastic go in the blue bin in Toronto?

No. Black plastic still goes in the garbage — recycling equipment can't detect it. Compostable and biodegradable plastics also go in the garbage, not the blue bin.

Who collects blue bin recycling in Toronto now?

As of January 1, 2026, residential blue bin recycling is collected by Circular Materials, not the City. Report a missed recycling pickup to Circular Materials at 1-888-921-2686 or circularmaterials.ca/toronto. Garbage and green bin are still City-run through 311 — see our missed pickup guide.

Not sure about something specific?

The City of Toronto has a Waste Wizard that can tell you exactly where any item goes.