2026 Changes to Recycling Collection

Starting December 31, 2025, Stouffville will transition to an enhanced recycling system that includes a new recycling cart and collection schedule. Learn more about your new cart system here.

The Province of Ontario is changing how Blue Box recycling is collected across the province. Starting December 31, 2025, the producers (companies that make packaging and paper products) will take over the responsibility for collecting and paying for their own recycling, instead of towns and cities. Blue Box collection will be handled by Circular Materials, a non-profit group working on behalf of producers.
The Town will no longer be responsible for blue box collection.

Residents can now view the 2026 Waste Collection Calendar online.

As part of the transition:
There will be no recycling collection during the week of December 29, 2025.

  • The final collection using small blue bins will take place the week of December 22, 2025.
  • Bi-weekly collection using the new recycling carts begins the week of January 5, 2026.

To assist with the transition, GFL will collect overflow recycling materials placed outside of the new cart (e.g. bagged recyclables or bundled cardboard) on residents’ first scheduled collection day in January. This one-time overflow pickup is intended to help residents adjust to the new cart system.

Residents are encouraged to repurpose their old small blue bins for personal use, such as storage containers. However, for those who no longer wish to keep them, a special curbside collection will take place during the week of February 2, 2026.

To participate:
Place old, unwanted blue bins at the curb by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day that week.
Bins must be empty; those containing material will not be collected.
A separate GFL truck will collect the old bins for recycling.

Residents who prefer a smaller recycling cart may now request a 65-gallon cart in place of the standard size.
Cart exchange requests can be submitted:
Online (preferred): circularmaterials.ca/stouffville
By phone: GFL at 1-833-779-4351
Cart exchanges are expected to begin in late December or early January.

These changes are part of the Province of Ontario’s shift to a standardized, producer-funded recycling system that will improve efficiency and consistency across municipalities. The Town of Stouffville thanks all residents for their cooperation and support during this transition.

For questions regarding cart exchanges or collection, please contact GFL at 1-833-779-4351 or N6Recycling@gflenv.com

What’s Changing:

Residents

For more information about residential Blue Box collection, visit Circular Materials.

Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) Properties

As of December 31, 2025 Town will no longer provide waste collection to:

  • Commercial businesses
  • Factories or warehouses
  • Offices or institutions
  • Daycares
  • Schools, colleges, or universities
  • Places of worship
  • Charities or non-profit organizations

Under the new provincial rules, these properties are not eligible for curbside recycling services. Business owners will need to hire a private collection provider for all waste collection streams.

Downtown Businesses

If your business is located downtown, on Main Street (between Albert Street and Park Drive):

  • Waste and recycling collection by the Town will end December 31, 2025.
  • We encourage business owners to begin preparing for this change and exploring private collection options.

Home-Based Businesses

If your business operates from your home and you currently receive regular residential curbside collection:

  • Your waste will continue to be collected under the residential program only (maximum 3 bags per bi-weekly collection, blue and green bin collection).

All Other Businesses

If your business is not located in the Main Street area or in a residential home, the Town will no longer provide waste collection starting on December 31, 2025; you are responsible for arranging private collection.

What Isn’t Changing

The Town will continue to collect the following for residential properties:

  • Garbage
  • Green bin (organics)
  • Yard waste
  • Christmas trees
  • Bulky or large items

These services are not affected by the provincial changes and will continue to be offered to residential properties after December 31, 2025.

Please place garbage, green bins, blue bins and yard waste at the curb by 7 a.m on your scheduled collection day, but not earlier than 5 p.m the night before.
Please do not leave empty bins and/or uncollected material at the curb after your collection day.
Material left at the curb before or after collection will be subject to a By-law violation and fine.

Accessible formats available upon request. Contact 905-640-1900 or customer.service@townofws.ca for assistance.
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