Recycling Collection

Recycle Collection

Recycling Changes are coming January 1, 2026.

The Province of Ontario is taking over residential Blue Box Recycling, and that means some changes for Owen Sound residents and businesses.

Residential recycling for single-family homes and multi-residential buildings currently receiving curbside collection - no changes to your pick up, more materials will now be accepted (such as takeout cups, toothpaste tubes, ice cream tubs, and more).

For more information and a complete list of accepted items for recycling, visit Get ready, Ontario: Recycle more than ever before starting in 2026! | Circular Materials

Under the new regulation, there should be NO change to multi-residential buildings that previously received municipal curbside collection. The final amendment to the regulation Amendments to the Blue Box Regulation | Environmental Registry of Ontario states that they will be deferring the expanded collection to multi-residential buildings/schools and long-term care centres that were not previously receiving curbside collection.

Business Property Owners-as of March 31, 2026, you will need to arrange for private recycling collection. The City of Owen Sound gave an additional 3 months for transition to this new system. Affected property owners have been notified.

For more information about these changes, please contact Circular Materials 1-877-667-2626 or customerservice@circularmaterials.ca

Blue Box Recycling

Residents can recycle using either the standard blue box or transparent plastic bags, but it must be properly sorted.

For a full list of accepted materials, please visit Get ready, Ontario: Recycle more than ever before starting in 2026! | Circular Materials

Material List

To ensure your recycling is collected, please properly sort all bags and containers. A list of all items that can and cannot be accepted can be found by using our Owen Sound Recycling Guide. When recycling in clear plastic bags, please refer to the Clear Bag Sorting Guide.

Corrugated Cardboard Recycling

Corrugated cardboard is thick cardboard, often used for packing boxes, etc. Boxes must be flattened and tied in a bundle when placed at the curb for pick up.

Beginning January 2025, corrugated cardboard pick-up is now bi-weekly, on your regular recycling day.

Electronics Recycling

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the certified collection point for the Ontario Electronic Stewardship Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. At no cost, you can drop off electronics, including computers and peripherals (keyboards/mice), fax machines, televisions and cell phones.

For a list of accepted e-waste items please visit the Owen Sound ReStore e-waste items page or call (519) 371-6776.

Grey Bruce ReStore location: 223017 Grey Road 17 (Springmount)

Battery Recycling

Batteries thrown in the trash or recycling bin can spark and possibly cause a fire, and batteries that end up in landfills can be harmful to wildlife and the environment.

Used batteries can be safely recycled at Public Works during regular business hours, or on Household Hazardous Waste days.

For more information and other battery recycling options, please visit www.call2recycle.ca.

Mandatory Recycling By-Law

The Mandatory Recycling By-Law has information for industrial, commercial and institutional facilities.

2025 Waste Collection Calendar

Available online (below) or paper copies are available for pick-up at City Hall, the Owen Sound Transit Terminal, and the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Library.

If printing at home, and particularly if printing in black and white, please select the east or west side only calendar that you require.

East Side Only (Orange) Waste Calendar 2025 West Side Only (Blue) Waste Calendar 2025 Combined (East & West) Waste Calendar 2025

808 2nd Avenue East,
Owen Sound, ON
N4K 2H4
Phone: 519-376-1440
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