Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ filtered results:

Program: Blue Box

Topic: Collection systems , First Nation communities
Under the Blue Box Regulation which came into effect on July 1, 2023, eligible locations for collection in a First Nation community include:

Private residences

Public and private schools

Elders’ lodges (or retirement homes)

Not-for-profit long-term care facilities

Locations that are not eligible for Blue Box collection or funding under this program include:

Commercial properties

Band owned and operated facilities such as daycares or community, wellness, cultural and language centres.

Note: Although costs of collection from these properties are not covered under the Blue Box system, First Nations can apply for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) funding to support these costs. Please speak to your region’s ISC officer for more information on how to apply.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: Collection systems , First Nation communities , Municipalities
Under the Blue Box Regulation which came into effect on July 1, 2023, eligible locations for collection within the producer-run program include:

Private residences

Public and private schools

Elders’ lodges

Not-for-profit retirement homes

Not-for-profit long-term care facilities

Note: Commercial properties are not eligible for collection under the producer-run Blue Box program.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities
There are two steps that need to be completed for a First Nation to receive service or funding beginning on their requested transition date:

The PRO, Circular Materials, must submit the offer through the Registry for the First Nation to sign six months before the transition date.

The First Nation must sign the offer three months before the transition date.

If these two steps are not completed by the required timelines, service or funding will begin three months after the offer is signed by the First Nation.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities

If your First Nation is located south of the Far North and wants to join the Blue Box program, they first need to complete a registration form and submit it to registry@rpra.ca.

First Nations that are not listed on the transition schedule and have registered to participate in the Blue Box program are eligible to receive Blue Box collection service or funding starting January 1, 2026 at the earliest.
Program: Hazardous and Special Products

Topic: First Nation communities

All remote and fly-in First Nation communities can access the Hazardous Special Products (HSP, formerly known as Household Hazardous Waste) producer-run program.

All other producer-run recycling programs are only accessible to communities south of the Far North Boundary.

For more information about recycling programs in First Nation Communities, visit our Recycling in First Nation Communities webpage.

Also see our FAQ: ‘What is the Far North Boundary?’
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities

No, First Nations are not required to participate. First Nations can choose if the producer-run Blue Box system is the best option for their community. One of RPRA’s roles in overseeing the Blue Box program is to provide as much information as possible to support a community’s informed decision.

If your community is still undecided about whether or not to register, we encourage you to reach out to a Compliance Officer at registry@rpra.ca with your questions or to get more information.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities

If your community is south of the Far North boundary, you can complete the registration form and email it to registry@rpra.ca to express your community’s interest in participating in the producer-run Blue Box program. A Compliance Officer will reach out to you to discuss the reporting and offer process, confirm the information provided in the registration form, and answer any questions you may have.

Communities in this situation are eligible to receive recycling collection services starting January 1, 2026.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities

There is no requirement for a First Nation community to formally change its transition date. If a community is not ready to report and/or participate in the offer process with the PROs by the initial transition date or the date outlined in the Transition Schedule, the community can indicate that to RPRA and we will work with you and the PROs to track when your community is ready to move forward in the process.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities
A First Nation’s transition date represents the earliest date that producers are required to provide the community with either Blue Box service or funding within the Blue Box program. Transition dates cannot be moved or changed.

A First Nation’s community name, reserve name(s) and transition date appearing on the transition schedule means it is an eligible community to receive Blue Box collection service or funding between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025. The transition schedule was amended for the last time on February 23, 2024. There will be no more additions to the transition schedule.

Related FAQs:

‘When will a First Nation that is registered in the Blue Box program start receiving service or funding?’

‘What do I do if my First Nation wants to join the Blue Box program but is not listed on the transition schedule?’
Program: Blue Box

Topic: First Nation communities , Registration

First Nation communities interested in receiving producer-run Blue Box services must register with the Authority. To register, communities must submit contact information of the person responsible for waste management in the community using the First Nation community registration form. Once completed, the registration form should be submitted by email to registry@rpra.ca.

Visit our First Nation webpage for more information.