Items That Always Go in RecyclingGlass- Bottles, jars (lids on)
Plastics- Tubs, lids
- Clear food containers/clamshells
- Disposable plates, cups, berry containers (black items are garbage)
- Detergent, hand soap, shampoo bottles (lids, sprayers, pumps – on tight)
- Beverage bottles (lids on)
- Cat litter tubs with plastic handles
- Plastic paint pails (empty; remove metal handles, handles are garbage)
- Clear compact disk cases (empty; black cases are garbage)
Note: black plastic items cannot be recycled (put in garbage). Soft, stretchy plastics- Milk bags (inner and outer)
- Bread bags (non-foil)
- Zipper lock bags (e.g. for sandwiches, freezer)
- Bulk food/produce bags
- Frozen fruit/vegetable bags (no stand-up pouches)
- Grocery/retail shopping bags
- Dry cleaning bags
- Newspaper/flyer, magazine bags (separate item from bag; recycle separately)
- Garden soil/manure/compost/road salt bags
- Diaper/feminine hygiene outer bags
- Over-wrap from toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, water/soft drink cases
Note: remove product before recycling. Metal- Aluminum/steel cans
(place lid in can and pinch closed) - Aluminum trays, burner liners, pie plates, roasting pans
- Cookie tins
- Aerosol cans (empty; put plastic caps in the garbage)
- Paint cans (empty; remove lids and recycle separately)
Paper- Bags
- Advertising mail, fine paper, envelopes (including window)
- Newspapers, flyers, directories, magazines, catalogues (remove over-wrap, recycle separately)
- Gift wrap, tissue paper, cards (no ribbons, bows, foil wrap)
- Shredded paper (put in clear plastic bag, tie closed)
- Soft/hard cover books
Cardboard- Boxboard (e.g. cereal, tissue, detergent, shoe; remove liners, flatten, no freezer boxes)
- Corrugated cardboard (clean, unwaxed, flattened; pizza boxes must be empty; remove over-wrap from water/soft drink cases, recycle separately)
- Rolls (toilet, paper towel, wrapping paper)
- Milk/juice cartons and boxes (straws are garbage)
- Cans (e.g. chips, nuts, frozen juice – place metal end in can and pinch closed; pull-off strips are garbage)
Foam polystyrene- Foam food and protective packaging
(e.g. drinking cups, egg cartons, meat trays, takeout food containers, electronic packaging).
Note: black foam items cannot be recycled (put in garbage).
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED IN THE BLUE BIN
Medical waste- Needles are hazardous waste and must not be put in garbage. Take to a Drop-off Depot.
- Plastic catheter/colostomy bags and tubes are garbage
Plastic- Caulking tubes
- Motor oil jugs
- Paint cans
- Packing peanuts
- Binders
- Toys
- Black plastic takeout containers, black garbage bags, black plant trays and flower pots (other colours accepted)
- Cassettes, CDs, DVDs
Plastic packaging- Black plastic
- Household cling wrap
- Biodegradable containers/film (e.g. compostable plastic bags)
- Laminated plastic film (e.g. chip bags, stand-up resealable pouch bags)
- Pre-packaged items (e.g. meat, cheese)
- Bubble wrap
- Plastic squeeze tubes for home and personal products (hair, body etc.)
- Single-serve coffee and tea pods
Glass- Drinking glasses, dishes, cups, crystal
- Ceramics, pottery
- Window glass
- Light bulbs
- Mirrors
- Pots, pans
Metal- Propane/helium cylinders and tanks
- Tools, scrap metal, auto parts
- Coat hangers
- Pots, pans, small appliances
- Electronics
- Binders
Textiles- Clothes, shoes
- Carpets, curtains
- Bedding
Aluminum- Foil food wrap, potato chip bags
- Metallic gift wrap and bows
Paper products- Waxed cardboard and paper
- Ribbons
- Soiled tissues and napkins (these go in the Green Bin)
Wood- Crates for fruit
- Renovation waste is garbage and must be taken to a Drop-off Depot.
Other itemsHousehold Hazardous Waste- Proper disposal of household hazardous waste items such as propane/helium tanks, batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides, oil, etc. means taking these items to a Drop-off Depot.
- These types of items must never be put in recycling or garbage.
- The Toxic Taxi provides free pick-up of 10 to 50 litres/kilograms of household hazardous waste from Toronto residents. Book an appointment online or by calling 311.
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