Posted on October 30, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
Business hours are taken from Google Maps. If the information on Google Maps is incorrect, update your Google account information by following these steps. Note: there may be a delay between the time you update your information in Google and it showing on RPRA’s map.
If the information on Google Maps is correct and not showing on the Where to Recycle map, request to change it through the map directly by:
- looking up the location,
- clicking the location,
- clicking the ‘Report an issue for this location’ link, and
- filling out the form by providing the correct business hours.
Posted on October 30, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
Only your PRO can update collection site addresses. Ask your PRO to remove the old address from their collection network and add the new address.
The Compliance Team is unable to make changes to the address of a site that has been reported.
Posted on October 30, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
Collection site names are taken from Google Maps. If the name is wrong, request to change it through the map directly by:
- looking up the location,
- clicking the location,
- clicking the ‘Report an issue for this location’ link, and
- filling out the form by providing the correct name.
Posted on October 30, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
Collection sites for batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting, and tires that are reported by producers, or PROs on their behalf, appear on the map.
Collection sites that are considered private (e.g. a recycling bin inside a business that is not accessible to the public) do not appear on the map.
Posted on October 30, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
A collection site is required to:
- accept all used materials that are designated under the program the collection site operates under*,
- accept materials dropped off free of charge, and
- accept materials dropped off during regular business hours.
The amount and type of materials a collection site must accept varies by which recycling program they operate under.
*More information on what materials must be accepted for each recycling program can be found here.
Posted on September 5, 2024 by Monica Ahmed -
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.
Posted on September 5, 2024 by Monica Ahmed -
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.
Posted on March 20, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
Under Ontario’s circular economy laws, businesses that produce or supply batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting, and tires are required to provide recycling locations and report them to RPRA. Only locations reported to RPRA appear on the map.
Recycling locations you’re already aware of that don’t appear on the map most likely collect materials not listed above or are operated by a municipality who aren’t required to report recycling locations to RPRA.
Posted on February 13, 2024 by Monica Ahmed -
Under the WDTA Blue Box program, municipalities could choose to accept these materials in their programs. This choice varied between municipalities.
Under the producer-run Blue Box program, none of these materials are considered obligated Blue Box materials. The Blue Box Regulation specifically states that hard or soft cover books or products made from flexible plastic that is ordinarily used for the containment, protection and or handling of food, such as cling wrap, sandwich bags or freezer bags are not Blue Box materials. Pots and pans do not meet the definition of Blue Box material under the Regulation.
Producers are not obligated to collect or manage the recovery of these materials.
Posted on February 13, 2024 by Monica Ahmed -
Under the WDTA Blue Box program, some municipalities may have chosen to provide Blue Box collection to facilities that were not residences, such as commercial properties, municipally owned and operated buildings or other institutions.
Under the Blue Box Regulation, only certain types of facilities can receive collection under the producer-run Blue Box program. These facilities are:
- Multi-residential facilities with six or more dwelling units
- Retirement homes that are operated by a municipality or an entity that does not operate with the purpose of generating a profit or were included in the WDTA Blue Box program on August 15, 2019. “Retirement home” has the same meaning as in the Retirement Homes Act, 2010.
- Long-term care homes that are non-profit long-term care homes or were included in the WDTA Blue Box program on August 15, 2019. “Long-term care home” has the same meaning as in the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. “Non-profit long-term care home” has the same meaning as the regulations under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.
- Buildings that contain public or private elementary or secondary schools. “School” and “private school” have the same meaning as in the Education Act.
Posted on January 31, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
Blue Box materials (i.e., products and packaging made of metal, glass, paper, flexible plastic, rigid plastic, and beverage containers) are typically collected directly from residences through the provincial Blue Box Program. RPRA’s Where to Recycle map displays public locations for recycling materials that don’t belong in your Blue Box (e.g., batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting and tires).
For more information on recycling Blue Box materials, visit Circular Materials’ website. Circular Materials is the administrator of Ontario’s Blue Box collection system.
Posted on January 31, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
No. Recycling drop-off locations displayed on the map cannot:
- charge the public a fee to drop off materials that the location accepts.
- refuse the drop-off of materials displayed on the map.
If you are charged a fee or refused drop off, you can report an issue about that specific location to RPRA (see our other FAQ for further instructions).
Posted on January 31, 2024 by Michelle Hoover -
RPRA’s Where to Recycle map displays locations across Ontario where the public can drop off used materials to be recycled, such as batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste (e.g., paint, antifreeze, pesticides), lighting and tires, for free. Materials collected at these locations are reused, refurbished, recycled, or properly disposed of to help keep them out of landfill, recover valuable resources and protect our environment. Learn more here.
