Waste Disposal & Recycling in Canada: Bins, Eco Centres, Deposits

There is no national colour code in Canada. Your municipality (or, in Ontario since 2026, the producer organization) decides what goes in which bin. Examples:

| City | Recycling | Organics | Garbage | |---|---|---|---| | Toronto | Blue Bin: glass, rigid and flexible plastic packaging, metal, paper, cardboard, foam polystyrene | Green Bin: food scraps | Garbage Bin: everything not accepted in the other two, e.g. hazardous waste | | Calgary | Blue cart: paper and packaging | Green cart: food and yard waste | Black cart | | Québec (province) | Recovery bin (usually blue): all non-deposit containers, packaging and printed paper | Brown bin where offered | Garbage |

Ontario: since January 1, 2026 the Blue Box program is fully run and paid for by producers; municipalities no longer operate or fund it. Circular Materials operates collection on behalf of producers. In Toronto, residential recycling questions now go to Circular Materials (1-888-921-2686), according to the City.

Québec: since 2025 the modernized selective collection system applies. The Québec government states that sorting rules for the recovery bin are now uniform across the province and that all non-deposit containers, packaging and short-lived printed matter can go in it.

What these sites accept, and what they cost, is set by each municipality. Typical examples from official city pages:

• Toronto drop-off depots: garbage and yard waste at all locations; Blue Bin items, household hazardous waste and electronic waste at most; renovation waste, metal and mattresses at select locations only. A deposit is required before you unload, based on the estimated size and type of your load. From July 1, 2026 a fee of $142.40 per tonne applies to mattresses. A safe motorized vehicle is required; walk-ins and bicycles are not allowed. Tires are not accepted until further notice.
• Calgary: community recycling depots for oversized recyclables, electronics drop-off and household hazardous waste facilities, plus seasonal yard waste and Christmas tree programs.
• Vancouver: the Vancouver South Transfer Station takes garbage and select recyclables for a fee; the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre (8588 Yukon St) accepts a wide range of materials for reuse and recycling free of charge, according to the City.
• Montréal: écocentres are free for residents within volume limits and require ID and proof of residence (see the French version of this page).

Whether you need proof of residency, how much you can bring and what it costs varies by municipality – check before you go.

• Bulky items and mattresses: municipal drop-off sites or curbside bulky pickup where offered; fees vary (Toronto: mattress fee at depots, see above).
• Electronics: the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) runs regulated electronics recycling programs in nine provinces (BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE, NL). In Ontario, the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulation has been in force since January 1, 2021 and requires producers to provide collection networks.
• Batteries: Call2Recycle accepts single-use and rechargeable household batteries up to 5 kg each, including e-bike and e-scooter batteries, at no extra charge. Lithium-ion and lithium batteries must be bagged individually or have their terminals taped. Ontario's Batteries Regulation (in force July 1, 2020) covers batteries of 5 kg or less.
• Paint, pesticides, antifreeze, oil filters: in Ontario covered by the Hazardous and Special Products Regulation (since October 1, 2021). In BC, producer programs exist for paint, antifreeze, lubricating oil, solvents, pesticides and gasoline. Otherwise use your municipality's household hazardous waste drop-off.
• Medications and sharps: the Health Products Stewardship Association runs free take-back at pharmacies in BC (medications only), Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Québec and PEI. You do not need to be a customer. Returned medications are incinerated at licensed facilities. Never flush them.
• Tires: Ontario's Tires Regulation (since January 1, 2019) gives residents free collection; BC regulates tires under its Recycling Regulation.
• Renovation waste: accepted at some municipal sites, usually for a fee or with limits (e.g. select Toronto depots). Asbestos needs special handling – ask your municipality.
• Solar panels and home battery storage: we found no general household take-back rule on official pages. Ask your installer or municipality before disposal. BC is adding large 12-volt batteries and other items to its EPR system in stages starting 2027.
• Clothing: not accepted in recycling bins in the cities checked. Donate usable items; check local textile drop-offs.

Deposit systems are provincial and differ a lot:

• Alberta: deposits of $0.10 for containers up to 1 litre and $0.25 over 1 litre, for cans, plastic and glass bottles, cartons, pouches and more (ABCRC fee table 2024). Milk and dairy alternatives are included, according to the Beverage Container Management Board. Refunds at bottle depots.
• Ontario: the Ontario Deposit Return Program covers wine, spirit and cooler containers over 100 ml sold at LCBO and Ontario winery stores, and beer containers sold outside The Beer Store. Deposit: 10 cents for bottles up to 630 ml and cans up to 1 litre, 20 cents above that. Refund at The Beer Store.
• Québec: the expanded deposit covers aluminium cans (since November 1, 2023) and plastic beverage containers (since March 1, 2025), 100 ml to 2 litres. Glass and cartons follow on March 1, 2027. Deposit is $0.10, or $0.25 for glass of 500 ml and more. Consignaction manages return sites.
• British Columbia: beverage containers are one of the regulated producer programs; see Recyclepedia for return locations.

Other provinces have their own systems – check the provincial program.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, waste management is a shared responsibility: municipalities manage collection, recycling, composting and disposal of household waste; provinces and territories set waste reduction policies and approve and monitor facilities; the federal government controls international and interprovincial movements of hazardous waste. Key provincial laws include Ontario's Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 with its product regulations, BC's Recycling Regulation (B.C. Reg. 449/2004) and Québec's regulation on product recovery and reclamation by enterprises.