NEW – Participation in curb-side and apartment recycling is now required in Markham beginning January 1, 2013.

Recyclable's 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. Thank you for your continued participation.

What Goes in the Blue Box?

Not sure if an item is recyclable? Look it up using the What Goes Where tool or use this printable version of Markham's Recycling Guide (312KB/2p).

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
• No electronics – cell phones, televisions, stereos, pagers etc.

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.

* Markham is unable to collect material from large carts 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 acceptable recycling container. If you choose to purchase a container from a store, ensure it does not exceed 80 litres.

Recycling Rules

• There is no limit to the amount of recyclables you can set out for collection
• 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
• Do not place recyclable material in your garbage; recyclables must be separated from household garbage and organics. Unsure of items? Look to your recycling guide or use the What Goes Where Tool.
• Recyclables should be loose in your Blue Box and not 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 (2'x2'x1'). Place cardboard bundles beside your Blue Box. Larger cardboard can be brought to any Markham Recycling Depots. Please flatten cardboard before depositing in the Recycling Depot containers.
• Plastic bags and Styrofoam do not go in the Blue Box. Please bring to any Markham Recycling Depot - otherwise it's garbage

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. Our trucks can arrive at any time after 7:00 a.m.
• Collection may be delayed due to Statutory Holidays such as Canada Day. Follow your Waste Collection Schedule.

What Happens to my Recyclable's?

Markham is responsible for the collection of recyclable materials. The Region of York is responsible for processing Markham's recyclables. Find out what happens to your recycling once it leaves your curb.