ON

North Bay

Learn more about your recycling program.

Recycling program transition

As of January 1, 2025, North Bay’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.

Recycling resources

Learn more about recycling collection in North Bay.

Be recycle ready

  • Recycling is picked up every second week on the same day as your garbage. Please sort your recyclables before putting them at the curb by 7 a.m., but no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection day.
  • Pick-up is delayed one day after statutory holidays except Boxing Day. The City will not collect recyclables placed in plastic bags, cardboard boxes or recycling totes (carts with wheels).
  • Recyclables must be placed in a standard Blue Box, which has a specialized lip that attaches to the recycling truck. For any questions about replacement blue boxes, please contact the service provider.
  • Blue Box Tips for Windy Days
    • Windy weather on recycling days can result in blue box material blowing into the streets and neighbour’s yards. To help prevent blue box litter, here are some helpful tips to keep your recyclables in your blue box:
    • When windy days are forecasted, try to place blue box containers out on the morning of collection, before 7 a.m., instead of the night before. This ensures your recyclables are not in the elements for an extended period.
    • Items such as cans, bottles, and containers that can be crushed, should be crushed. Condensing your recyclables makes them more dense and less likely to blow away.
    • Stack your heavier recyclables on top of lighter materials inside your recycling boxes.
    • Cardboard should be flattened prior to placing in the blue box. Cardboard that is too large to fit in the blue box should cut down, flattened and tied in bundles prior to placing beside the Blue Box.
    • Do not overfill your blue box. Keep material below the rim to prevent the wind from catching it and blowing it out of the blue box. There is no limit to the amount of standardized blue boxes that can be placed at the curb.
    • Use a standardized blue box lid for paper and fiber material. Check local stores or online for standardized blue box lids that can be used on inclement weather days.
    • Buy extra blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, with no attached lid or wheels) – we collect unlimited blue boxes weekly!
  • Additional helpful tip – remember to write your address on your blue box and garbage cans to help retrieve it on windy days.

What’s accepted

  • Accepted:
    • Corrugated cardboard: Flatten and tie in bundles measuring no larger than 75 cm x 75 cm x 20 cm (30” x 30” x 8”). Place bundle(s) beside Blue Box. Use string or twine to tie bundles, not wire.
    • Boxboard: Cereal, pasta, laundry and shoe boxes, etc. Remove liners/windows and flatten boxes. Do not mix with newspaper and mixed paper. Bundle with corrugated cardboard.
  • Not accepted:
    • Frozen food boxes that have a wax coating
    • Boxes that are heavily soiled with food or grease
  • Accepted:
    • All aluminum and steel cans are accepted. All Polycoat cartons (e.g. milk, juice) and Tetra Paks (e.g. drink boxes) are accepted. Remove and discard straws.
  • Not accepted:
    • Do not include full cans or cans containing hazardous materials. These items should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 112 Patton Street.
  • Accepted:
    • Only clean items are accepted. Place loosely in the Blue Box. Empty aerosol cans and empty dry paint cans are now recyclable. Paint can lids must be placed in the Blue Box separately from the can.
  • Not accepted:
    • Paper-backed foil (e.g. lids from take-out food)
    • Foil laminates (e.g. potato chip bags)
  • Accepted:
    • Place the following items either inside or beside the Blue Box.
    • Newspaper: Including all inserts and flyers. Remove and discard plastic bags.
    • Mixed Paper: Phone books, junk mail, magazines, catalogues, office paper & envelopes (window & regular), paper bags and other items that are paper. Staples need not be removed.
  • Not accepted:
    • Waxed or foil-coated paper
    • Potato chip bags
    • Coffee cups
    • Styrofoam
    • Paper that is soiled with food or grease
  • Accepted:
    • All food and beverage glass bottles and jars are accepted, including coloured glass. It is not necessary to remove labels. Place loosely in the Blue Box. Remove and recycle metal lids and plastic lids.
  • Not accepted:
    • Medication bottles
    • Light bulbs
    • Window glass
    • Mirror glass
    • Crystal
    • Drinking glasses
    • Ceramics (e.g. plates, mugs)
  • Accepted:
    • All plastic containers # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This includes plastic egg cartons, plastic muffin containers, tubs and lids, and all small mouth plastic containers. All containers must be less than five litres in size.
  • Not accepted:
    • StyrofoamTM
    • Plastic bags and film
    • Bubble wrap
    • Plastic planting trays
    • Plastic toys
    • Lawn furniture
    • Motor oil containers and gas cans
    • Plastic cutlery
    • Coat hangers
    • Binders
    • Lawn edging