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Recycling

As of Jan. 1, 2024, Circular Materials is responsible for the residential Blue and Grey Box program.

Niagara Region uses two recycling boxes — the Blue Box for containers and the Grey Box for paper and cardboard. Both are collected weekly with no limit on the amount you can put out.

For questions about your Blue and Grey Box recycling, call 1-833-621-0726 or email Miller Waste Systems.

A calendar

Collected weekly

Both boxes, all cities and towns in Niagara, no limit on amount

An analog clock reading 12:20

Out by 7 a.m.

On your regular collection day, no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before

A garbage bin and a garbage bag

No limit on amount

Flatten and bundle cardboard next to your boxes if it doesn't fit inside

What goes in each box

Blue Box and Grey Box materials must be kept separate. Here's a quick guide to what goes where. Not sure which box something goes in? Use the item disposal guide to search for any item.

Blue Box

  • Plastic bottles and jugs
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Metal cans and tins
  • Aluminum foil and trays
  • Beverage cartons and juice boxes
  • Aerosol cans (empty)
  • Plastic bags and film (bundled)
  • Milk and juice cartons

Grey Box

  • Newspapers and flyers
  • Magazines and catalogues
  • Cardboard and boxboard
  • Paper bags and envelopes

Preparing your recycling

Blue Box

  • Rinse containers to remove food, liquid and residue before recycling
  • Squeeze pop cans, large plastic bottles and beverage cartons to save space
  • Don't place plastic bags in your Blue Box — bundle them and place in the Grey Box

Grey Box

  • Flatten and bundle large pieces of cardboard — maximum 90 cm x 90 cm x 90 cm
  • Collapse smaller boxboard and stuff it inside larger boxes to save space
  • Bundle all plastic bags together inside one bag, tie it, and place on top of the Grey Box

On windy days

Place heavier items on top of lighter materials, don't overfill your boxes, and consider putting recycling out on the morning of collection rather than the night before. Write your address on your boxes with a permanent marker to help identify them if they blow away.

Alternate containers

You can use any rigid, reusable container in place of a Blue or Grey Box, as long as it meets these size limits and the contents are clearly visible and sorted correctly.

  • Height: 91 cm (36") or less
  • Diameter: 61 cm (24") or less
  • Weight: 22.7 kg (50 lbs) or less when full

Blue and Grey Box materials must always be kept in separate containers.