As of April 1, 2025, the City’s Blue Bag program is now accepting new items with the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation. The list of new materials accepted includes plastic clamshell containers such as fruit, salad, or takeout containers and non-beverage “Tetra Pak” cartons such as soup/broth and liquid egg cartons.

EPR shifts the cost of recycling materials like single-use products, packaging, and paper products (PPP), and hazardous and special products (HSP) away from municipalities and utility ratepayers to the producers and manufacturers who supply those products into the marketplace. For more information about EPR you can visit the Provincial Government's site for Extendnded Producer Responsibility.

Unfortunately, if an item cannot be made into a new product, it cannot be collected for recycling.  Even with the introduction of EPR, some materials  continue to be not accepted in the blue bags, such as plastic bags, wrappers, plastic toys, and food residue or liquids. Unacceptable materials, including food residue and liquids, compromised the clean recycling.

Please ensure that all recycling items are placed inside a see-through blue bag. Contents of blue bag should be clearly visible for collection. Opaque bags may be rejected due to contamination and safety concerns. 

Residents are encouraged to learn more about how to reduce waste by using reusable items such as coffee mugs, utensils and grocery bags instead of single-use items. Glass jars can also be reused for crafts and home storage.

Blue Recycling Bags are collected every week throughout the year on your household's designated waste collection day.

Please refer to the Collection Schedule for specific details.

• Corrugated cardboard can be flattened and placed underneath the Blue Recycling Bag. Please keep the cardboard dimensions to a maximum of 3 ft by 3 ft
• There is no limit to the number of Blue Recycling Bags a household can set out
• Blue Recycling Bags must not exceed 15 kgs (33 lbs) per bag
• Please remember to place the bags out by 7:00 a.m. on your household's waste collection day
• Items must be empty, clean, and dry. No food or liquid residue
• Numbered triangles on items do not mean the item is recyclable, but that it is made with plastic content
• A "handy" tip - you can recycle lids the size of your palm or larger. Anything smaller, such as bottle caps and pumps should be placed in the Brown Garbage Cart. These items are too small and will fall between the equipment at the recycling facility