Recycling

Beginning January 1, 2026

Ontario's Blue Box Transition - what it means for the Municipality of Kincardine

Like all municipalities across Ontario, the Municipality of Kincardine will be transitioning to the Province’s new producer-led recycling system on January 1, 2026. This means that the Municipality will no longer be responsible for operating the residential Blue Box program.

Under the new system, Waste Management Canada, on behalf of Circular Materials Ontario, will manage all residential recycling collection, processing, and customer service.

This province-wide change is designed to make recycling simpler and more consistent — and it means you’ll be able to recycle more materials than ever before! Read on to find out more.

Until December 31, 2025

Curbside Blue Box Recycling

Collection for roadside blue box pick-up is scheduled every two weeks. The date of pick-up is dependent on where you live. Your blue box must be curbside by 8:00 a.m. If you require a blue box, you may purchase recycling bins at the Municipal Administration Centre at 1475 Concession 5, Kincardine, for $14.13 + HST.

- Blue Box Collection Schedule

What goes in your blue box?

For a full list of accepted items, visit Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling (BASWR)'s What Can I Recycle webpage. If you have concerns with your pick-up, please contact BASWR at 1-800-794-9770.

Until December 31, 2025

What Can I Recycle
in my Blue Box?

Additional Recycling Services

The Municipality of Kincardine offers some additional recycling programs to the community:

Cardboard Recycling

Cardboard recycling depots* are located at:

Kincardine Waste Management Centre - 437 Sideroad 15, Armow
Underwood Public Works Garage - 1240 Concession 6, Underwood
Tiverton Public Library - 56 King Street, Tiverton
East Parking Lot at the Soccer Fields - 440 Bruce Avenue, Kincardine

*Under the new provincial legislation, convenience depots will no longer be supported. As a result, all public recycling depots are closing effective December 31, 2025.

Corrugated cardboard, beverage (coffee) cups, deodorant/toothpaste tubes, black plastic containers, foam packaging, empty aerosol and spray cans and more will all be accepted in residential curbside recycling collection starting January 1, 2026.
Visit Circular Materials for accepted materials and updates.

Film Plastic Recycling Program

*Under the new provincial legislation, convenience depots will no longer be supported. The yellow film plastic bins will be removed from Bruce Avenue, but film plastics and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS/Styrofoam) will continue to be accepted at the Armow WMC for both residential and non-eligible (IC&I) users.

There are two yellow film plastics collection bins at each of the two drop off locations:

Kincardine Waste Management Centre - regular operating hours
437 Sideroad 15, Armow
East Parking Lot of Soccer Fields - open 24 hours a day
440 Bruce Avenue, Kincardine

Please get to know which film plastics are acceptable - and not acceptable - for collection in this program. Please remove all food residue, paper/receipts, stickers, and rigid plastic.

DO NOT leave plastics outside the recycling bin and please keep these collection bins free of contamination to help keep this environmentally friendly program operating.

Accepted Film Plastic

Retail and Packaging Bags

Only clean, dry, and empty plastic bags identified by recycling symbols with the numbers 2 or 4 are accepted. Examples of this are:

Grocery and retail bags
Newspaper and flyer bags
Dry cleaning bags
Electronic equipment bags
These bins are emptied regularly by Grey Bruce Trash Taxi.

Food and Produce Bags

Bread
Fresh vegetable and produce bags
Frozen vegetable
Bulk goods
Milk outer bag

Product Packaging and Wrap

Water softener and salt bags with their rigid plastic handles removed
Toilet paper, napkin, and paper towel overwrap
Diaper and feminine hygiene product outer bags
Bottled water and soda case overwrap
Soil, mulch, etc. garden product bags that are clean and empty

Not Accepted through the Film Plastic Recycling Program

Unclean items with food or dirt residue
Packaging in contact with meat or dairy
Biodegradable or compostable plastic
Crinkly, non-stretch wrap, packaging, and bottle seals
Agricultural bale, boat, and shrink wrap
Beverage rings
Stretch cling wrap
Chip, cookie, chocolate, and snack bar wrappers
Bubble wrap
Zipper lock and resealable bags

EPS (Styrofoam) Recycling Service Pilot Project

On December 1, 2020, the Municipality of Kincardine partnered with Second Wind Recycling, for the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Recycling Service Project.

Commonly referred to as Styrofoam, EPS is largely used in packaging and food service products. The petroleum based material is composed of 95% air and is not biodegradable. Due to its fragility and low weight, it is a common pollutant in the natural environment. EPS has become even more prevalent with the growth of e-commerce and bulk shipping.

Accepted materials must be clean and dry. All tape, plastic, stickers, cardboard and other contaminants attached to the foam must be removed and dropped off at the Kincardine Waste Management Centre at 437 Sideroad 15.

White, rigid, expanded EPS packaging will be accepted. This packaging is commonly from:

Computers
Electronics
Appliances

EPS materials that are not accepted include:

Take-out food containers
Meat trays
Coffee cups
Disposable dishware
Packing peanuts/popcorn
Construction insulation, blue and pink
Polyethylene and Polypropylene packaging
Foam bags & wrapping
Hot tub cover inserts
Pool noodles

Beginning January 1, 2026

Ontario's Blue Box Transition

Starting January 1, 2026, the Municipality of Kincardine will no longer be responsible for the Blue Box program. Responsibility is shifting to the producers of recyclable materials under Ontario’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, meaning producers will fully fund and operate the program. The service will be managed by Waste Management Canada, based in Mount Forest.

Only eligible sources—all residential properties, including single-family homes and multi-unit buildings—will be picked up. Non-eligible sources, such as businesses, institutions, and industrial properties, will need to arrange their own recycling services or bring their recyclables to the Armow Waste Management Centre for a tipping fee.

Eligible Flyer
Non-Eligible Flyer

Who's Eligible for Curbside Recycling?

Under the new provincial system, only Eligible Sources — residential properties that currently receive curbside waste collection — will continue to receive Blue Box recycling pickup.

Ineligible Sources, including businesses, farms, and institutional properties, will no longer be part of the residential program. To accommodate businesses and non-eligible users, the Armow Waste Management Centre will offer an Ineligible Sources Program for recyclables.

Eligible for Curbside Blue Box Collection

Single-family homes (detached houses, semi-detached homes, townhouses)
Multi-residential properties (apartment buildings, condos, and other multi-unit buildings)
Residents already using a Blue Box can continue to use their existing containers

Essentially, all residential properties in the Municipality of Kincardine are eligible for curbside collection under the new program. This provincially mandated transition will simplify recycling across Ontario. More materials will be accepted at the curb, creating a consistent and efficient province-wide system.

Non-Eligible Sources

Starting January 1, 2026, industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) properties will no longer be eligible for Ontario’s curbside Blue Box program. This category includes:

All private businesses, including downtown shops and offices
Churches and places of worship
Daycares
Campgrounds without housing
Public buildings such as libraries, arenas, municipal shops, and administrative facilities
Commercial farms
Non-profits, including shelters, food banks, and other institutions

ICI properties will need to make alternative arrangements for recycling. Options include drop-off at the Recycling Depot at the Armow Waste Management Centre (WMC) or establishing collection through a private service provider.

Municipality of Kincardine's Ineligible Sources Program

To accommodate businesses and non-eligible users, the Armow WMC will offer extended hours in addition to regular operations.

Regular Hours (unchanged):

Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closed on Statutory Holidays, including Easter Monday and the Civic Holiday.

Expanded Hours (for non-eligible sources only):

Monday: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Tipping Fee: $1.65 per kg (1 kg = 2.2 lbs)

New Materials Accepted

In the newly enhanced provincial recycling system, you'll be able to recycle more materials than ever in your curbside recycling - no matter where you are in the province. The current list is subject to change. For the most up to date information on curbside collection, visit circularmaterials.ca.

Beginning January 1, 2026

2026 Approved
Recycling List