Peterborough residents will be able to recycle a wider range of materials starting January 1st, under changes to Ontario’s Blue Box program.
The expanded list of accepted items is part of the province’s transition to Extended Producer Responsibility, which shifts responsibility for recycling collection and processing to the producers of packaging and paper products. In Peterborough, the program is managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization, with collection and processing carried out by local contractor Emterra Environmental. Circular Materials assumed responsibility for recycling services in the city in 2024.
The changes are designed to standardize recycling across Ontario while diverting more material from landfill. Newly accepted items include black plastic containers, hot and cold beverage cups, deodorant and toothpaste tubes, frozen juice containers, ice cream tubs and similar packaging. Foam packaging such as meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates and bowls will also be accepted, along with flexible packaging including potato chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal box liners, deli pouches and plastic gift bags.
There will be no changes to curbside recycling schedules. Residents experiencing collection issues are asked to contact Emterra Environmental at 1-888-597-1541. General recycling questions can be directed to Circular Materials at 1-877-667-2626 or customerservice@circularmaterials.ca.
A full list of recyclable materials and additional information about recycling in Peterborough is available at circularmaterials.ca/peterborough.
