Toronto garbage, recycling and Green Bin in 2026: who collects what and who to call
By Farshad Fazaeli · Last checked against City of Toronto sources: October 29, 2026
Since January 1, 2026, Toronto's residential recycling is no longer run by the City. That change confuses a lot of people when a bin is missed or broken, because the number to call depends on which bin it is. This guide sorts it out.
The short version
| Bin | Who runs it for houses | Collected | Report problems to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bin (organics) | City of Toronto | Every week | 311 |
| Garbage | City of Toronto | Every other week | 311 |
| Blue Bin (recycling) | Circular Materials | Every other week, alternating with garbage | Circular Materials, 1-888-921-2686 or circularmaterials.ca/toronto |
Why recycling changed
Under Ontario's Blue Box regulation (O. Reg. 391/21), the companies that make and sell packaging, not municipalities, are now financially and operationally responsible for residential recycling. Toronto moved to this "extended producer responsibility" model in 2023, and on January 1, 2026, Circular Materials took over residential collection and related services.
The City says your routine shouldn't change much: blue bins stay, accepted materials are largely the same with a few additions, and you keep following your regular collection schedule.
The City still collects recycling from its commercial customers, City divisions and agencies, charities, institutions, religious organizations and permitted street events.
Finding your collection day
- Houses with daytime collection: use the City's collection schedule lookup or the TOwaste app. Green Bin goes out every week; garbage and recycling alternate weeks.
- Houses with nighttime collection (mostly downtown streets near Bloor, Bathurst and Danforth) and apartments above businesses have separate 2026 schedules on the City's maps page.
- Printed schedules, including large-text versions, can be requested through 311.
Apartment, condo or co-op residents should ask their property manager or superintendent how waste works in their building.
Not sure where something goes?
Use the City's Waste Wizard to search any item. A few rules worth knowing from the City's recycling list:
- Compostable plastics go in the garbage, not the Blue Bin or Green Bin.
- Put shredded paper in a clear plastic bag, tied closed.
- Remove the product from flexible plastic bags before recycling them.
Sources
- City of Toronto, Waste Collection Schedule, accessed October 29, 2026.
- City of Toronto, 2026 Curbside Collection Maps & Schedules.
- City of Toronto, Toronto's Recycling Program.
- City of Toronto, Blue Bins no longer City-run: What to expect January 1.
- City of Toronto, Waste Wizard.
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