Recyclables are collected every week on your regular collection day. Please follow your Waste Collection Schedule. We can divert over 35% of our waste from landfill by using our Blue Boxes each week.

Check out this list of what can go in the Blue Box.

Not sure if an item is recyclable? Look it up using the What Goes Where tool.

What Can't go in the Blue Box?

• No shredded paper (Please compost in your Green Bin)
• No waxed paper
• No plastic film: plastic wrap, plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, milk pouches
• No plastic cutlery, drinking straws
• No plastic toys or lawn furniture
• No motor oil, transmission or brake fluid containers
• No pesticide, herbicide, flammable liquid or corrosive material bottles
• No Batteries - Rechargeable Batteries can be taken to any of Markham's Recycling Depots while Alkaline batteries should be taken to York's Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Depot for disposal
• No Styrofoam - (foam meat trays, egg cartons, etc.) Please bring to any of Markham's Recycling Depots to recycle

How to Get a Blue Box

Blue Boxes can be purchased at Markham's Recycling Depots, the Markham Civic Centre and at the Angus Glen, Thornhill, Centennial and Milliken Mills Community Centres.

Broken or damaged Blue Boxes can be exchanged at Markham's Recycling Depots only.

Payment
Recycling Depots and Community Centres accept cheques and Interac only (no cash). The Civic Centre accept cheques, Interac, Visa, MasterCard and cash.

Acceptable Sizes

*The Town of Markham is unable to collect material from large 128 litre Blue Boxes with wheels, sold at some home improvement stores. The loaded weight, size and durability of these carts prevent safe and effective collection. Markham's 80 litre Blue Box (shown above) is the largest approved recycling container residents can use.

Recycling Rules

• Make sure your Blue Box is at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regular collection day, but not earlier than 7:00 p.m. the day before collection.
• Recyclables should be loose in your Blue Box and not put in plastic bags.
• Cardboard must be flattened and tied into bundles using string or tape and be no larger than 0.6 m x 0.6 m x 0.3 m. Place cardboard bundles beside your Blue Box. Larger cardboard can be brought to any Markham Recycling Depot. Please flatten.

Helpful Tips

• Label your Blue Box with your address so it doesn't go missing.
• Set out your Blue Box at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
• Collection on Saturday Holiday weeks may be delayed by one day. Consult your Waste Collection Schedule.

What Happens to my Recyclables?

The Region of York processes Markham's recyclables. Find out what happens to your recycling once it leaves your curb. 

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