As of January 1, 2026, Ottawa’s recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.
Until then, please visit Ottawa’s website for recycling-related information.
For questions related to:
Please contact:
As of January 1, 2026, please contact Miller Waste for any recycling-related inquiries.
Cardboard boxes
Pizza boxes, direct mail boxes, moving boxes, shoe boxes.
✅ Flatten. No larger than 60 x 60 cm.
Boxboard
Cereal boxes, tissue boxes, egg cartons, rolls from toilet paper and paper towel.
✅ Flatten.
✅ Empty.
Paper laminate packaging
Pet food bags, food service paper bags, and plates.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
Paper
Any colour, including flour bags, prescription bags, paper produce bags.
Notepads, white or coloured loose paper, file folders, other printed materials.
Community newspapers, flyers, brochures and magazines.
Greeting cards and envelopes, gift boxes.
✅ Empty.
✅ Place shredded paper in a tied clear plastic bag.
✅ Separate from plastic bags used to cover items, remove elastic bands.
✅ Remove rope handle from bags.
❌ Do not include soft or hard covered books/novels.
Glass containers
Clear and coloured glass. Food containers, jars and bottles. Cosmetic containers, spice bottles, oil and vinegar bottles.
✅ Empty and free from food residue.
✅ Lids and caps off.
Plastic containers
Laundry detergent and household cleaner jugs, shampoo, body wash, salad dressing, condiment, dish soap, mouth wash bottles.
✅ Empty.
✅ Lids and caps on.
Plastic food containers
Food trays, salad, yogurt, peanut butter, bakery and egg containers, plastic cups, plastic tubs and lids.
✅ Empty.
✅ Lids and caps on.
Paper laminate containers
Spiral cans, cookie dough package, ice cream containers, and hot and cold beverage cups.
✅ Empty.
✅ Remove lids.
Cartons
Dairy and dairy substitute cartons, molasses and sugar cartons, laundry and cleaning cartons, soup and sauce cartons, coffee cartons.
✅ Rinse and dry.
✅ Lids and caps on.
Aluminum (foils and trays)
Aluminum foil, pie plates, frozen food trays.
✅ Rinse and dry.
✅ Ball up aluminum foil.
Metal
Food cans, metal lids, candle, cookie, coffee and tea tins.
✅ Rinse and dry.
Foam packaging
Meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls, foam packaging for products.
Empty and free from food residue.
Remove film wrap and absorbent pads from meat trays.
Flexible plastic packaging
Bags used for dry cleaning, bread, newspapers and flyers. Overwrap (paper towel & toilet paper, beverage containers). Coffee bags or deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal liner bags, plastic gift bags.
Empty and free from food residue.
