ON

Cornwall

Learn more about your recycling program.

Recycling program transition

As of January 1, 2025, Cornwall’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 Cornwall.

Recycling guide and calendar

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Get in touch

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

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

Emterra

Be recycle ready

  • Place your recycling the curb after 7 p.m. the day before your collection, or before 7 a.m. the day of collection.
  • There is no limit to the amount of recycling you can set out.
  • You can put all your recycling into the same bin: it doesn’t need to be sorted.
  • Set out your recycling in a bin or box. It shouldn’t weigh more than 50 pounds or 22 kilograms.
  • Large cardboard can be placed in a cardboard box, or tied together, with dimensions no bigger than 75 centimetres by 75 centimetres by 75 centimetres.
  • Place bins and bags in your shovelled-out driveway or on a shovelled-out part of the boulevard.

    Winter poses many challenges – especially when it comes to recycling collection. Here are a few reminders:

    • Recycling must be set out by 7 a.m.
    • If it snows overnight, be sure to pull your recycling out of the snow before 7 a.m.
    • If more than 5 centimetres of snow is expected, please wait until morning to shovel out a spot and set out your waste.
    • Place recycling in your shovelled-out driveway or on a shovelled-out part of the boulevard.
    • Recycling should never be placed on the sidewalk, as it creates a hazard for pedestrians and snow plow operators.
    • Recycling should never be placed on the road, as it creates a hazard for drivers and snow plow operators.
    • Recycling will be left behind if it is placed on a snowbank, is buried in the snow, or is frozen into the bin.


    Some soft plastics are accepted in the recycling program. Bundle them all together before you put them in your recycling bin. This will help keep the sorters at the recycling facility.

    Soft plastics you can recycle:

    • grocery bags (except black)
    • bread and bun bags
    • produce bags
    • clean milk bags
    • clean cling wrap
    • sandwich/freezer bags
    • dry cleaner bags
    • apple and carrot bags
    • newspaper bags (without the newspaper)
    • cereal box liners
    • packaging air bags

    Soft plastics that cannot be recycled:

    • commercial shrink wrap
    • amazon/postage bags
    • bubble wrap
    • cellophane used in gift wrap
    • crinkly plastic
    • black plastic
    • non-food film packaging (building material bags, cement bags)