Beginning July 1, 2023, your blue box recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials. This transition will result in no change to the materials you can recycle or your current recycling schedule. Please view the bottom of this page for more details, and stay tuned in the coming months for more information.

Use at least 2 blue boxes for curbside recycling, and keep paper and containers (plastic, metal, glass, laminated cups and cartons) separated. 

To ensure your recyclables are collected, please follow the curbside recycling requirements:

  • Place recyclables at the curbside by 7 am, but no earlier than 6 pm the night before collection day
  • Empty and rinse containers
  • Flatten boxes and tie cardboard into bundles no larger than 30" X 30" X 8"
  • Place recyclables 4 feet from your garbage cart, if possible
  • Recycling placed in an acceptable Blue Box

How to Recycle

Putting non-recyclable items into the recycling bin causes problems at the sorting facility. Please separate your recycling into a blue box for paper products and a blue box for containers. 

Paper Products
  • Boxboard (i.e. cereal, detergent, cracker and tissue boxes)
  • Cardboard (i.e. clean pizza boxes, packing boxes)
  • Catalogues, magazines, newspaper, and phone books
  • Egg cartons
  • Miscellaneous paper products such as flyers, envelopes and writing paper

Containers
  • Paper cups
  • Ice cream tubs
  • Plastic blister packaging
  • Milk and juice cartons, drink boxes, cardboard cans
  • Aluminum and steel containers
  • Empty aerosol cans
  • Empty paint cans, aluminum foil and pie plates
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Plastic bottles and tubs with the number 1 through 7 on the bottom of the container

Unacceptable Materials
  • Dark coloured paper, construction paper and wrapping paper
  • Ceramics, drinking glasses and dishes
  • Broken glass, plate glass, window glass, light bulbs and mirrors
  • Paper tissues/towels
  • StyrofoamTM (i.e., cups, packaging)
  • Wood
  • Plastic bags (return to your local grocery store)
  • Plastic wrap
  • Propane cylinders
  • Toys
  • Coat hangers, pots and pans
  • Batteries
  • Empty motor oil containers and other household special waste (i.e. pesticides) containers

Batteries

Central Elgin offers battery recycling at both the Belmont and Port Stanley arenas, as well as the main office (during regular business hours)

Location Details
Belmont Arena - 14020 Belmont Road, Belmont
Port Stanley Arena - 332 Carlow Road, Port Stanley
Main Office - 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas

Glass and Sharp Objects

Recyclable materials are handled by collection and sorting staff. Please do not place broken glass and sharp objects in the recycling bin. Instead, dispose of broken glass and sharp objects by completely sealing the pieces in a cardboard box and label as "Glass" or "Sharp" and set out with your garbage at the curbside. 

Electronics

The Community Recycling Centre at 330 South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas will accept electronics.

Textiles

Many textiles that are thrown into the garbage can be given an extended life or reused. Most donation centres accept laundered clothing towels, linens, curtains, fabrics including those that may be worn, torn or stained for reuse or to be repurposed as rags.

All donated textiles must be dry and free of any medical or hazardous liquids. As a reminder, please do not leave items outside of donation centres or bins.

  • Canadian Diabetes Collection Program
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Salvation Army
  • Mission Thrift Store

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my scheduled collection day?

Please visit the Collection Schedule page for more information.

Why wasn't my recycling picked up?

 Your blue box may not have been collected if:

  • Recycling was not out by 7 am, and you may have missed the truck
  • Recycling was not separated properly
  • Blue box contained non-recyclable material
  • Dogs were running loose and the workers couldn't safely collect, or
  • Your recycling was not in plain view of the truck driver

When possible, the driver will leave a tag explaining why your recycling was not picked up.

Please correct problem and set it out for collection the following week. If you believe that there was an error, please contact the main office.

I’m new to Central Elgin and need a blue bin

First and foremost, Welcome to Central Elgin!

Central Elgin gives new residential builds a small blue bin free of charge. Please contact the main office with your address so that it can be delivered to you.

You are also able to purchase blue bins from any hardware store of your choice, or from the main office at a cost of $11.

Replace a Broken Blue Bin

If Central Elgin accidentally damaged your blue bin, please call the office so that we can rectify the situation and provide you with a replacement bin.

St. Thomas Community Recycling Centre

The Community Recycling Centre at 330 South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas also accepts recycling from Central Elgin residents.

Circular Materials Transition

First and foremost, there will be no change to the materials residents can recycle or their recycling schedule. Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization, will be managing our blue box recycling program. They are dedicated to building efficient and effective recycling systems to minimize waste and ensure materials are reused again and again. Below are some answers to questions you may have. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening to my recycling program?

Starting July 1, 2023, your blue box recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit producer responsibility recycling organization committed to building efficient and effective recycling systems to minimize waste, and ensure materials are reused again and again.

This transition will result in no change to the materials you can recycle or your current recycling schedule. More information will be provided in the coming months.

Why is my recycling program transitioning?

In 2021, Ontario passed a new regulation that shifts the financial and operational responsibility of blue box recycling programs to producers. This means that those who produce and supply blue box materials to residents will be fully responsible for collecting and recycling their materials. The transition to this new framework will take place between 2023 – 2025, with the new framework fully in place by January 1, 2026. As a result, Circular Materials will be managing municipal recycling programs on behalf of producers to support them in meeting their regulatory obligations.

Who is Circular Materials?
Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization. Learn more at circularmaterials.ca/ON

What can I expect with the new recycling program?
There will be no change to how you currently recycle your materials or to your recycling collection schedule.