What Can Go in the Blue Bin in Toronto and the GTA (2026)

At a glance

Ontario now uses a unified recycling materials list. Many items you’re already recycling still belong in the Blue Bin, and several new items are now accepted province-wide.

If you’re ever unsure about a specific item, the official materials list maintained by Circular Materials is the most reliable reference.

New items accepted province-wide

Some items that are now accepted across Ontario include:

• Coffee cups and lids

• Black plastic containers

• Toothpaste tubes and personal care tubes

• Aerosol containers designed for household or personal use

• Flexible plastic packaging such as snack and chip bags

• Foam packaging and containers

Paper & cardboard

Accepted materials include:

Cardboard

• Cardboard boxes (e.g. shipping boxes, moving boxes, shoe boxes)

• Pizza boxes (including boxes with light food residue)

Boxboard

• Cereal and tissue boxes

• Egg cartons

• Toilet paper and paper towel rolls

Paper laminate packaging

• Pet food bags

• Food-service paper bags and paper plates

Paper laminate containers

• Spiral cans

• Cookie dough packages

• Ice cream containers

• Hot and cold beverage cups

Cartons

• Beverage cartons (e.g. milk and juice cartons, coffee creamers)

• Soup, broth, and sauce cartons

Paper

• Paper bags (e.g. produce bags, prescription bags, flour bags)

• Printed materials (e.g. flyers, brochures, and magazines)

• White or coloured paper

• File folders

• Greeting cards and envelopes

• Gift boxes

• Shredded paper - Accepted only if tied inside a clear bag

  
  

Plastics & foam

Hard plastic containers

• Plastic bottles and jugs (e.g. shampoo, detergent, beverages)

• Plastic food containers (e.g. yogurt, peanut butter, salad containers)

Plastic packaging and containers

• Yogurt and peanut butter containers

• Bakery and egg containers

• Salad and food trays

• Plastic tubs, cups, and lids (including black plastic)

Tubes

• Toothpaste tubes

• Deodorant and personal care tubes

Small plastic packaging

• Hand-sanitizer bottles

• Medication bottles

• Blister packs

• Plant pots

Flexible plastic packaging

• Bread bags

• Newspaper and flyer bags

• Dry-cleaning bags

• Coffee and deli pouches

• Chip bags and snack wrappers

• Bubble wrap

• Cereal liner bags

• Plastic gift bags

• Overwrap (paper towel, toilet paper, beverage packs)

Foam

• Foam meat trays

• Foam takeout containers

• Foam cups, plates, bowls

• Protective foam packaging

  
  

Metal

• Food cans and beverage cans

• Metal lids

• Aluminum foil, trays and pie plates

• Cookie, coffee, and tea tins

• Aerosol containers designed for household or personal use (e.g. hairspray, cooking-oil sprays)

  
  

Not accepted: Aerosols marked as toxic, corrosive, or flammable (except food- and personal-care products).

Glass

• Glass jars and bottles used for food

• Non-alcoholic beverage bottles

• Cosmetic and toiletry glass containers

What should not go in the Blue Bin

The following items should not be placed in the Blue Bin:

• Pots and pans

• Books and novels

• Batteries and electronics and cords

• Textiles (clothing, towels, shoes)

• Household hazardous or chemical waste (e.g. paints, solvents)

• Medical waste

• Propane tanks

When you’re unsure

If you’re unsure about an item, many homeowners choose to set it aside and check the official materials list before recycling.