Recycling

Peterborough County's recycling program is now managed by Circular Materials. Circular Materials is the current administrator of the common collection system and a not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.

For any recycling collection questions, please contact Emterra Environmental at 1-888-597-1541 or customercareont@emterra.ca. Emterra Environmental can be contacted for:

  • New blue bins
  • Missed collection
  • General recycling inquires

The following blue box recycling rules apply to both curbside collection and transfer station disposal:

  • Sort recycling into two categories - papers and containers
    • Use as many blue boxes as you need ensuring each box contains either papers or containers, but not both
  • Keep the recycling loose
    • Bagged recycling will not be collected

For more recycling information use the Search Waste Portal.

When will my recycling be collected?

Blue box recycling must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. of your collection day.

Please note that the time of collection may vary from week to week, but the day will remain the same. Place blue boxes at the curb by 7:00 a.m. and leave them there until 7:00 p.m. If collection does not occur, contact Emterra Environmental at 1-888-597-1541.

How much recycling can I put out on my collection day?

You may put out as many blue boxes as you need for collection.

What if my collection day falls on a holiday?

The Township will post a holiday collection schedule to let you know what changes will occur. The schedule will be posted as an alert and a news item.

Holiday Blue Box Recycling Collections for 2024

Good Friday – Friday, March 29th – normal collections

Easter Monday – Monday, April 1st – normal collections

Victoria Day – Monday, May 20th – normal collections

Canada Day – Monday, July 1st – normal collections

Civic Holiday – Monday, August 5th – normal collections

Labour Day – Monday, September 2nd – normal collections

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Monday, September 30th – normal collections

Thanksgiving Day - Monday, October 14th – CANCELLED 

Remembrance Day - Monday, November 11th - normal collections

December Holidays (the weeks of Christmas and New Year's):

  • Normal recycling collection from Monday, December 23, 2024 to Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (including Boxing Day)

  • Recycling normally collected on Thursday, January 2, 2025 will occur on Friday, January 3, 2025

  • Recycling normally collected on Friday, January 3, 2025 will occur on Saturday, January 4, 2025

Blue Boxes

My blue box has been damaged, what do I do?

Contact Emterra Environmental at 1-888-597-1541 or customercareont@emterra.ca

What goes into the papers blue box?

Paper and plastic bags go into the papers box.

Plastic Bags - stuff all bags inside one and tie it shut

  • Bread, bulk, produce & milk bags (rinsed)
  • Frozen fruit/vegetable bags (no zippered pouches)
  • Shopping bags
  • Dry cleaning bags
  • Newspaper, magazine bags (remove papers from bags and recycle the bag separately)
  • Garden soil, manure, water softener and road salt bags
  • Over-wrap from toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, water/soft drink cases, diapers

Do not include chips bags, wrappers or liners from cereal/cracker boxes. Put them in the garbage.

Paper

  • Mail, office paper, envelopes (including window)
  • Newspapers, flyers, magazines, catalogues (remove over-wrap)
  • Paper bags
  • Shredded paper (in a clear plastic bag tied shut)

Boxes

  • Boxes - please flatten all boxes
  • Rolls (paper towel, toilet & wrapping paper)

Bundled cardboard must not exceed 30” x 30” x 8” and can sit beside blue box if needed.

What goes into the containers blue box?

Containers go into the containers box.

Plastic Containers

  • All plastic food and drink containers
  • Bakery trays, party trays, plastic egg cartons
  • Windshield wash fluid bottles, detergent bottles, toiletry bottles and jars
  • Flower pots (less than 12") and trays
  • Black plastic food and drink containers

Metal Containers

  • Aluminum/steel cans
  • Aluminum foil, trays, burner liners, pie plates
  • Aerosol cans (empty; lids on)
  • Paint cans (empty; lids off)

Glass Containers

  • Clear and coloured food and drink bottles and jars

Cartons and Cups

  • Juice and milk cartons
  • Drinking and broth boxes
  • Coffee cups (no lids)
  • Take-out cold drink cups

Do not include single use disposable plastic cups (e.g. red solo cups). Put them in the garbage.

Do not include Styrofoam containers. Put them in the garbage.

Hall's Glen Transfer Station

The Hall's Glen Transfer Station is located at 1951 County Road 6, Douro-Dummer.

The recycling requirements are the same as for the curbside blue box collection.

Information on additional diversion options can be found on the Hall's Glen Transfer Station webpage.