What batteries are accepted for recycling

Single-use and rechargeable batteries weighing five kg or less are accepted for recycling. Examples include:

• Button cells
• AAA, AA, C, D
• 9V
• lantern batteries
• sealed lead acid batteries
• replacement batteries for products (e.g., cordless tools, cell phones, laptops)

How to recycle your used batteries

Using existing collection sites

First Nation communities can direct their residents to RPRA’s Where to Recycle map to search for locations to drop off their used batteries to be recycled, as well as other materials. The locations on the map are operated by PROs.

Establishing and operating your own collection site

Communities south of the Far North Boundary can collect used batteries themselves as a service to their residents. In this scenario, communities should contact a battery PRO to request that their site be added to the battery collection system. If included in a PROs collection system, the used batteries will be picked up free of charge to be properly recycled. To note: PROs may choose to include a site in their collection system but are not required to do so.

To be a part of a PRO’s collection system, the collection site must accept up to 15 kg of all single-use and rechargeable batteries (outlined in ‘What batteries are collected?’ above) per day from any person.

Producers and their PROs can provide additional collection services such as curbside collection or collection events. A community should contact a PRO if they are also interested in providing these services to their citizens.

Alternatively, communities not included in a battery PRO’s collection system can contact a PRO to arrange a pick-up free of charge once they collect one tonne of used batteries. The batteries must be collected within one year of when the request is made.

What Blue Box materials are accepted for recycling

The following materials are accepted under the Blue Box Program:

• Metal
• Glass
• Paper
• Flexible plastic
• Rigid plastic
• Beverage containers

How to recycle your Blue Box materials

In order to participate in the new producer-run Blue Box Program, First Nation communities south of the Far North Boundary must follow the steps below. This process applies to communities that currently provide Blue Box services, either under Stewardship Ontario’s Blue Box Program Plan or outside of the Blue Box Program Plan, and those that do not currently have a program.

1. Register with RPRA by submitting a registration form to registry@rpra.ca.
2. RPRA will reach out to discuss when your community is eligible to transition into the producer-run Blue Box Program.
   • Communities with an existing program may be able to transition before January 1, 2026.
   • Communities without an existing program will transition on January 1, 2026.
3. Report community data to RPRA.
   • Once registered with RPRA, you are required to submit an Initial Report with information about your current Blue Box collection systems.
   • You then must submit a Transition Report with further information about your systems ahead of your transition date.
   • See our Blue Box First Nations webpage for more information on what to report.
4. Engage in the offer process with Circular Materials (Blue Box PRO) to establish collection services.
   • Once registered with RPRA and a transition date is set with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), PROs are required to offer collection services to First Nation communities.
   • The timeline for establishing collection services with a PRO will vary depending on the community’s transition date set by MECP and when the community’s data is supplied to RPRA (in step 3).
   • This process is facilitated by RPRA to ensure timelines and producer/PRO obligations are met.

Important note for communities currently operating a Blue Box program: Communities must complete their Datacall reporting to RPRA in 2024 to receive funding for the final year of the current program in 2025. As of January 1, 2026, when the transition to the producer-run system is complete, funding through the Datacall will no longer be available.

Communities can decide not to participate in the producer-run system and operate their own collection services; however, as noted above, provincial funding for those services (via the Datacall) will end in 2025.

What household hazardous waste is accepted for recycling

The following are examples of household hazardous waste (also known as hazardous and special products) that is accepted for recycling:

• Antifreeze, oil containers, oil filters
• Non-refillable pressurized containers, refillable pressurized containers
• Paints, coatings, solvents
• Pesticides
• Mercury-containing devices (barometers, thermometers, thermostats)
• Fertilizers
• Refillable propane containers

How to recycle your used household hazardous waste

Using existing collection sites

First Nation communities can direct their residents to RPRA’s Where to Recycle map to search for locations to drop off their used household hazardous waste, as well as other materials. The locations on the map are operated by PROs.

Establishing and operating your own collection site

Communities south of the Far North Boundary can collect used hazardous and special products themselves as a service to their citizens. In this scenario, communities should contact a hazardous and special products PRO for the following materials to arrange a pick-up:

PROs must try to collect the materials within three months from the time the request is made.

Communities north of the Far North Boundary can also arrange for a pick-up once they collect the amount of hazardous and special products outlined in the table above. PROs must try to collect the materials within one year of when the request is made.

Note: Fertilizers are not eligible for pick-up using this method.

What electronics are accepted for recycling

Electronic equipment (also known as information technology, telecommunications, and audio-visual (ITT/AV) equipment) is accepted for recycling. Examples include:

• Desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, mouse, keyboard, monitors
• Cellular phones, smart phones
• Televisions, DVD or VHS players
• Video game consoles
• Printers, scanners, fax machines
• Cameras
• Radios, headphones, stereos
• Musical instruments designed to be used with an electrical charge
• Peripherals, cables and chargers for electronic equipment

How to recycle your used electronics

Using existing collection sites

First Nation communities can direct their residents to RPRA’s Where to Recycle map to search for locations to drop off their used electronics to be recycled, as well as other materials. The locations on the map are operated by PROs.

Establishing and operating your own collection site

Communities south of the Far North Boundary can collect used electronics themselves as a service to their residents. In this scenario, communities should contact an electronics PRO to request that their site be added to a collection system. If included in a PROs collection system, the used electronics will be picked up free of charge to be properly recycled. To note: PROs may choose to include a site in their collection system but are not required to do so.

To be a part of a PRO’s collection system, the collection site must accept up to 50 kg of electronics (outlined in ‘What electronics are accepted’ above) per day from any person.

Producers and their PROs can also provide additional collection services, such as curbside collection or collection events. A community should contact a PRO if they are also interested in providing these services to their residents.

Alternatively, communities not included in an electronics PRO’s collection system can contact a PRO to arrange a pick-up once they collect four tonnes of electronics. The materials must be collected within one year of when the request is made.

What lighting is accepted for recycling

The following are examples of lighting accepted for recycling:

• Light bulbs, tubes, and lamps, including:
  • incandescent
  • fluorescent
  • halogen
  • light emitting diode (LED)
  • high-intensity discharge (HID)
  • ultraviolet

Lighting fixtures are not accepted for recycling.

How to recycle your used lighting

Using existing collection sites

First Nation communities can direct their residents to RPRA’s Where to Recycle map to search for locations to drop off their used lighting to be recycled, as well as other materials. The locations on the map are operated by PROs.

Establishing and operating your own collection site

Communities south of the Far North Boundary can collect used lighting themselves as a service to their residents. In this scenario, communities should contact a lighting PRO to request that their site be added to a lighting collection system. If included in a PROs collection system, the used lighting will be picked up free of charge to be properly recycled. To note: PROs may choose to include a site in their collection system but are not required to do so.

To be a part of a PRO’s collection system, the collection site must accept up to 5 kg of lighting products (outlined in ‘What lighting is accepted’ above) per day from any person.

Producers and their PROs can also provide additional collection services, such as curbside collection or collection events. A community should contact a PRO if they are also interested in providing these services to their residents.

Alternatively, communities can contact a PRO to arrange a pick-up once they collect 300 kg of lighting. The materials must be collected within one year of when the request is made. This is known as a call-in collection site.

What tires are accepted for recycling

Tires that weigh one kg or more are accepted for recycling. Examples include:

• Car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, trailer and tractor tires
• Tires on industrial and agricultural vehicles and equipment
• Snowblower, wheelbarrow, dolly and lawn mower tires

How to recycle your used tires

Using existing collection sites

First Nation communities can direct their residents to RPRA’s Where to Recycle map to search for locations to drop off their used tires to be recycled, as well as other materials. The locations on the map are operated by PROs.

Establishing and operating your own collection site

Communities south of the Far North Boundary can collect used tires themselves as a service to their citizens. In this scenario, communities should contact a tire PRO to request that their site be added to a tire collection system. If included in a PROs collection system, the used tires will be picked up free of charge to be properly recycled. To note: PROs may choose to include a site in its collection system but are not required to do so.

To be a part of a PRO’s collection system, the tire collection site must accept, at a minimum:

• Passenger and light truck tires
• Tires with rims
• Up to 10 passenger and light truck tires per day from any person

Alternatively, communities not included in a tire PRO’s collection system can contact a PRO to arrange a pick-up once they collect 200 or more tires. The tires must be collected within one year of when the request is made.