Changes to the Blue Box Regulation: Updated flexible plastics targets, and new timelines for eligible facilities and First Nation communities
On September 3, 2025, the Government of Ontario finalized amendments to the Blue Box Regulation. The most immediate impacts of the amendments that may affect you starting in 2026 are:
- Changes to management requirements for flexible plastics – this impacts producers
- The delayed expansion of Blue Box collection to facilities – this impacts eligible facilities that did not receive collection under the legacy program
- Clarification of timelines for providing Blue Box services to First Nation communities – this impacts First Nation communities that want to join the producer run program
1. Changes to management requirements for flexible plastics
The management requirement for flexible plastics has been changed for the 2026 performance year. Management requirements for flexible plastics will now be increased in phases:
- 10% in 2026 and 2027
- 15% in 2028 to 2031
- 25% in 2032 and onwards
Before the amendments, producers were required to manage at least 25% of flexible plastics for the 2026 to 2029 performance years.
What are my next steps?
If you are a Blue Box producer with a management requirement for flexible plastic, please do the following immediately:
Step 1: Use the Flexible Plastic management calculator to determine your reduced management requirement for 2026.
Download the Flexible Plastic management calculator
Step 2: Notify your PRO of your new 2026 management requirement for flexible plastics.
Will I have to manually calculate this every year?
No, you will only have to use the manual calculator for your 2026 management requirement for flexible plastics. The registry will be updated to reflect the revised management requirements for future years.
You may also be interested to know:
- The management requirements for paper, glass, metal, and rigid plastic are unchanged until 2032
- Best-efforts provision for management requirements for all Blue Box materials is extended until 2027
2. Delayed expansion of Blue Box collection to multi-residential buildings, schools, and specified long-term care homes and retirement homes that did not previously receive municipal Blue Box service until 2031
The requirement for Blue Box producers to provide collection service to eligible facilities – multi-residential buildings, schools, and specified long-term care homes and retirement homes – in eligible communities that did not receive service under the legacy Blue Box program has been delayed to 2031.
There is no action required for eligible facilities at this time.
RPRA will notify impacted parties and provide detailed information, including guidelines on eligibility and instructions on how to register for service, at a later date under the guidance of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
What do I do if I want my facility to receive collection before 2031?
Facilities in eligible communities that did not receive Blue Box collection under the legacy program that want to receive collection between 2026 and 2030 must continue with private collection, or initiate collection with a private service provider if they have not been serviced before.
3. Clarification of timelines for providing Blue Box services to First Nation communities
As of September 3, 2025, producers (or PROs) must make an offer to a First Nation community “as soon as practicable”. This change was made to align with the operational realities of the offer process.
The change clarifies that a First Nation that expresses interest in joining the producer-run system can expect an offer in a timely manner after providing the necessary information to the system administrator.
More information on how a First Nation community can join the producer-run program can be found here.
Have a question?
Our Compliance and Registry Team is here to support you. Contact us at [email protected] or 1-833-600-0530.