Callander

Learn more about your recycling program.

Recycling program transition

As of January 1, 2025, Callander’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 Callander.

Get in touch

As of January 1, 2025, please contact Emterra or any recycling collection inquiries. They can be contacted for:

  • Replacement recycling bins.
  • Missed collections.
  • Other recycling questions.

Emterra

Be recycle ready

  • Put recyclable materials in the blue boxes, for bi-weekly, curbside collection.
  • Rinse out your recyclables to remove any leftover residue before putting them at the curb.
  • Recyclables placed in plastic bags, cardboard boxes, recycling totes, carts with wheels, or any container or tote that isn’t a standard Blue Box design will not be picked up.
  • Recyclables must be placed in a standard Blue Box, which has a specialized lip that attaches to the recycling truck.

What’s accepted

  • Plastics: All plastic food and beverage 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 5L in size.
  • Aluminum: 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.
  • Glass: All food and beverage glass bottles and jars are accepted, including coloured glass. It is not necessary to remove labels. Remove and recycle metal lids and plastic lids.
  • Food and beverage containers: 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.
  • Newspaper and mixed paper: 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.
  • Boxboard and cardboard: 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.
  • Styrofoam, plastic bags and film, bubble wrap, plastic planting trays, plastic toys, lawn furniture, motor oil containers and gas cans, plastic cutlery, coat hangers, binders, and lawn edging.
  • Paper-backed foil (e.g. lids from take-out food), foil laminates (e.g. potato chip bags).
  • Medication bottles, light bulbs, window glass, mirror glass, crystal, drinking glasses, and ceramics (e.g. plates, mugs).
  • Do not include full cans or cans containing hazardous materials. These items should be taken to the Hazardous Waste Depot.
  • Waxed or foil-coated paper, potato chip bags, coffee cups, styrofoam, and paper that is soiled with food or grease.
  • Frozen food boxes that have a wax coating, boxes that are heavily soiled with food or grease.