Ottawa’s Blue & Black Bin Shake-Up: What Changes on Jan 1, 2026 (And What You Need To Do)

Big change alert for Ottawa households: starting Thursday, January 1, 2026, your blue and black bin recycling won’t be handled by the City anymore. The province is shifting responsibility to the companies that make paper and packaging. Translation: producers are now on the hook for collecting and processing your recycling, and Circular Materials will run the show in Ottawa on their behalf.

Here’s the quick version:

• Keep putting your bins out by 7 a.m. on your usual collection day.
• A different truck will grab them, and pickup times might shift.
• There will be small changes to what goes in blue vs. black starting Jan 1.
• Check the updated accepted-items list: CircularMaterials.ca/ottawa
• You can keep using your current bins.
• Starting Jan 1, 2026, call Circular Materials—not the City—for missed pickups, damaged bins, or other recycling problems.

Why is this happening?

• Ontario’s new regulations make producers pay for and manage recycling of their packaging and paper. The goal is to boost recycling rates and push companies to design smarter, easier-to-recycle packaging.

What stays the same

• Same collection day (unless you hear otherwise).
• Same 7 a.m. set-out time.
• Same bins—no need to swap or buy new ones.
• The City of Ottawa will still share updates and info to keep everyone in the loop.

What’s changing

• Who picks up: Circular Materials, on behalf of producers, not the City.
• What’s accepted: Minor tweaks to what belongs in blue and black bins. This matters—putting the wrong stuff in the wrong bin can lead to contamination and missed pickups.
• Who to contact: Starting Jan 1, 2026, reach out to Circular Materials for anything recycling-related.

Your action plan before Jan 1, 2026

1. Bookmark the new guide: CircularMaterials.ca/ottawa — check the updated lists for blue vs. black bin items.
2. Expect a new truck: Collection may come earlier or later than you’re used to. Put bins out by 7 a.m.
3. Label your bins: Add your address on the bins if it’s faded—helps with returns if they’re blown around or swapped.
4. Note the new contact: Add Circular Materials’ contact info to your phone once it’s posted on their Ottawa page.
5. Keep your bins clean: Rinse containers and break down cardboard to reduce contamination.

Common questions

• Do I need new bins? No. Keep using your current blue and black bins.
• Will my collection day change? No change announced. If that shifts later, the City and Circular Materials will notify residents.
• What exactly is changing in the bins? “Minor changes” typically means some items might move between blue and black, or a few questionable items won’t be accepted anymore. Check the official list: CircularMaterials.ca/ottawa
• Who do I call for a missed pickup on or after Jan 1, 2026? Circular Materials. Before Jan 1, keep contacting the City as usual.
• Will this affect green bin or garbage collection? No—this update only covers blue and black bin recycling.

Key links

• Updated accepted items and contact info: CircularMaterials.ca/ottawa
• City updates: ottawa.ca (watch for service changes and reminders)

The bottom line Your collection day and bins aren’t changing—but who collects, what’s accepted (slightly), and who you call will. Check the updated list before the new year so your recycling keeps getting picked up without a hitch.