RICHMOND HILL, ON – Starting January 1, 2026, the way Richmond Hill residents manage their blue box recycling is changing—and it’s not just about what goes in the bin, but who is picking it up.
In a province-wide move to a new “Extended Producer Responsibility” (EPR) model, the responsibility for recycling is shifting away from municipalities and onto the companies that actually produce the packaging. For Richmond Hill, this marks the end of a multi-year transition intended to save taxpayers money and streamline the recycling process across Ontario.
What’s Changing for Residents?
For the average household in Richmond Hill, the most noticeable change won’t be the bin itself, but the trucks on the street. Starting in the new year, blue boxes and green bins will be collected by separate trucks at different times of the day. While your collection day remains the same, your recycling might be picked up hours before or after your organic waste.
Perhaps the biggest win for residents is the expanded list of acceptable materials. Under the new standardized provincial system managed by Circular Materials, Richmond Hill residents can now toss several items into the blue box that were previously destined for the landfill:
- Plastic bags and wrap (bread bags, shopping bags, and overwrap)
- Foam packaging (Styrofoam meat trays, cups, and protective egg cartons)
- Takeout items (hot and cold beverage cups, lids, and black plastic containers)
- Personal care items (empty toothpaste tubes and deodorant sticks)
A New Point of Contact
The City of Richmond Hill will no longer be the primary contact for blue box issues. While the City continues to manage garbage, green bins, and yard waste, all recycling-related inquiries—including missed collections or requests for new bins—must now go through Miller Waste, the contractor hired by Circular Materials to service the area.
Furthermore, the City has officially stopped selling or exchanging blue boxes. Residents in need of a new bin can contact Miller Waste directly or purchase a standard 22-gallon blue box from local retailers like Canadian Tire or Rona.
Why the Change?
The shift is part of a provincial regulation (O. Reg. 391/21) designed to hold producers—brands like Coca-Cola, Walmart, and Loblaws—financially and operationally accountable for the life cycle of their packaging. By moving the cost from the municipal tax base to the producers, Ontario expects to save communities more than $200 million annually while incentivizing companies to design more eco-friendly packaging.
Business and Institutional Impact
While residential service remains steady, the change brings a new challenge for the “non-eligible” sector. Starting January 1, 2026, producers are no longer required to collect recycling from industrial, commercial, or institutional (ICI) properties. Businesses and certain non-profit organizations in Richmond Hill that previously relied on City collection will now need to arrange for private recycling services.
Stay Informed
Richmond Hill officials are urging residents to double-check their bins and ensure they aren’t bagging their recyclables, as loose placement remains mandatory to avoid contamination.
For a full list of new acceptable materials, contact information for Miller Waste, and more details on how these changes affect your home, visit RichmondHill.ca/BlueBox.
AT A GLANCE: RICHMOND HILL RECYCLING UPDATES
- Start Date: January 1, 2026.
- Collection Day: Remains the same, but times will vary as recycling and organics are now on separate trucks.
- New Items: Plastic bags, foam, coffee cups, and toothpaste tubes are now accepted.
- Customer Service: Contact Miller Waste at 1-855-752-3762 for recycling issues.
- Still City-Managed: Garbage, Green Bin, and Yard Waste.