Recycling benefits communities. It diverts materials, including plastics and other materials that do not easily break down, away from landfills. It helps to protect the ecosystem and wildlife. And, under a model of circular economy, recycling makes better use of materials, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling is a key part of Oxford County's work towards achieving zero waste. 
 

How to set out your recycling

To properly recycle plastics, rinsing is important. If recyclable materials are not clean, they will contaminate other recyclables causing them to ultimately end up in the landfill. Here are a few tips to ensure you are recycling the right way.

  • Bins. All items should be loose and clean in your bins.
  • Sorting. Oxford County collects single stream recycling, except in Woodstock. This means you do not have to separate paper products from containers. All recyclable materials can be placed in the same recycling bin for curbside collection. For questions about specific materials, type the material into the “What goes where?” tool.
  • Secure items from blowing out of your blue boxes by stacking your bins, or placing heavier material on top. Residents are responsible for picking up blown out debris from their recycling bins.
  • Blue boxes. Make sure your bin says “Recycling” on the side of it. Use a standard blue box to ensure collectors can identify it as recycling. Click here for info on purchasing a blue box from Oxford County
  • Weight. Recycling set outs must not weigh more than 20 kg/ 44 lbs

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why was my recycling not collected? 
Check to see if a sticker has been left on top of the recycling set-out. If there is no sticker and your neighbours' set-out on both sides of the street have been collected, and/or it is past 6:00 p.m., call 519-539-9800 or 1-800-755-0394 to check on your location. You can also check out Wasteline.ca or @WastelineOxford on Twitter for municipality-wide issues, such as weather or traffic related issues.
Why was my carboard tagged? 
Cardboard must be bundled together and no larger than 75 cm (30in) x 75 cm (30 in) x 20 cm (8 in). Cardboard cannot be stuffed inside of another cardboard box for recycling as it must be bundled. Cardboard can also be brought to the Waste Management Facility at no charge.
Why isn't my recycling being accepted in blue recycling bags? 
The County's waste collection contractor cannot accept any bagged recycling or plastic bags and film for recycling. All materials need to be loose in the blue box to be recycled.
What is a plastic resin identifier? 
plastic identifier printed on most plastic containers

The plastic resin identifier is the “recyclable triangle” with the number inside. This shows the type of plastic used for the material, but does not necessarily mean that the material is recyclable in your community. 

In Oxford County, all containers and bottles with numbers 1-7 are recyclable except for planter’s pots. Other packaging materials and bulky plastic toys and gadgets are not recyclable.
How do I properly set out my materials? 
recycling sorted into multiple containers

DO

Set recycling out in a neat and orderly fashion, making it less likely that material will be blown away. You can purchase blue box lids for $2.70 each from the Waste Management Facility, the Oxford County Administration Building, or your local municipal office. More 

Shredded paper should be set out in a clear plastic bag.

 

recycling not sorted into multiple containersDON'T

Recyclable materials are loosely placed and disorderly, making it likely material will be blown out of the bin, creating litter.

Only clear plastic bags can be used for shredded paper. All other plastic bags will not be collected. Food package box is not properly broken down/flattened. Straw from the cup is not recyclable.

 

 

 Acceptable and unacceptable recycling materials

 Unacceptable blue box materials: What we can't collect

graphic image of plastic bag and plastic container with x on itThe following items will not be collected if placed in your blue box:

  • Aerosol cans – full or partially full
  • Bubble wrap
  • Foil wrapping paper
  • Plastic shopping bags(new) and plastic film (new)
  • Styrofoam – bulky packaging and food packaging (new)
Acceptable materials: What goes where

OXFORD COUNTY

Put all recycling together in one bin (except for the City of Woodstock)

RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

  • Aerosol containers (empty)
  • Aluminum foil and trays
  • Bakery transparent trays (Plastic #6)
  • Black plastic
  • Boxboard (tissue, food boxes & pop cases)
  • Cardboard boxes (flattened)
  • Cardboard packaging
  • Clear & coloured glass containers – glassware is considered garbage
  • Coffee cup lids
  • Coffee cups
  • Drink/coffee takeout trays (molded paper)
  • Drink & soup boxes
  • Envelopes
  • Flyers
  • Glossy posters/paper
  • Magazines, catalogues & telephone books
  • Metal & aluminum containers
  • Milk & juice cartons
  • Newspapers
  • Paper
  • Paper bags
  • Pizza boxes (no food residue)
  • Plastic bottles (pop, water, juice)
  • Plastic clamshell packaging
  • Plastic cookie trays
  • Plastic food containers (tubs & lids)
  • Spiral wound/cardboard cans
    (hot chocolate, coffee, crescent rolls)
  • Yogurt containers (Plastic #5)
  • Ice cream containers
For City of Woodstock residents, find your blue box materials by visiting www.cityofwoodstock.ca

LANDFILL

  • Bandages, first aid materials
  • Bubble wrap
  • Carbon paper
  • Compostable plastic cutlery and takeout containers
  • Food waste (if compost not available)
  • Laminated material
  • Notebooks & agendas (Cover is garbage, recycle the paper inside)
  • Pens, markers, highlighters
  • Pet waste
  • Photographs
  • Plastic cutlery
  • Plastic lunch bags
  • Plastic shopping bags & plastic film
  • Plastic wrap
  • Stickers/labels
  • Straws
  • Waxed paper

WASTE DIVERSION at the Waste Management Facility

  • Bulky styrofoam
  • Construction & Demolition waste
  • Clothing and textiles
  • Electronics
  • Freon containing appliances
  • Hazardous waste
  • Leaf and Yard waste
  • Recycling and cardboard
  • Scrap metal
  • Tires

 

Need to dispose of something not on the list? Visit www.wasteline.ca or download the Wasteline app and use the “What goes where?” tool.
 Acceptable Containers

All recycling must be placed in a blue box or similar sized rigid container with drain holes and sturdy handles. Note that containers must be rigid and can be rejected by our collection crew based on safety concerns.

For purchasing blue boxes, please visit the containers section to learn more.

Bags are not acceptable through our program as they cause issues with our machinery and the contamination of the recycling. Only shredded paper are acceptable as bagged material. 

Upcoming changes to Ontario’s Blue Box Program

In June 2021, the Government of Ontario announced new recycling regulations that included significant changes to Ontario’s blue box program under a new program, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). 

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), enacted through the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, of 2016, shifts the responsibility for providing recycling services onto producers (retailers, manufacturers, etc.) that create products and packaging. This change:

  • promotes waste diversion;
  • aligns the cost of managing products and packaging at their end-of-life to those responsible; and,
  • gives producers an incentive to redesign products to make them easier to recycle.  

What’s changing?

With the new Blue Box Regulation, producers who create products and packaging will now be responsible for:

  • recycling curbside collection
  • blue box material sorting
  • processing and recycling of material
  • resident education and promotion

 

With this change, local municipal governments will no longer be responsible for running blue box programs in their communities.  

When is this happening?

The first group of municipalities transitioned to the Blue Box Extended Producer Responsibility on July 1, 2023. Oxford County is part of the third group of municipalities that will transition to Extended Producer Responsibility on December 31, 2025. This includes recycling program services provided by South-West Oxford and the City of Woodstock under a service contract to the County. Oxford County will continue to manage the curbside collection of garbage and bulky items.

Before any changes are put into place, Oxford County will inform residents through the website, social media, local news outlets and other advertisements. Updates will be posted to www.wasteline.ca outlining the upcoming program changes, where to find information, and answers to commonly asked questions. 

What is a producer? 

Producers are product brand holders, manufacturers, and/or others with a commercial connection to designated products and packaging in Ontario. Examples include first importers, wholesalers, retailers, and e-tailers. 

What is happening now?

Oxford County has provided several updates to County Council in preparation for Extended Producer Responsibility and its impacts. County staff have also presented information to all area municipalities and will continue to provide updates leading up to the transition.  

Please check this page again for future updates.
Council reports

June 28, 2023 - PW 2023-30 - Municipal Blue Box Program Update – Transition to Full Extended Producer Responsibility

June 28, 2023 - Report No. PW 2023-30 Blue Box Transition Update Attachment No. 1.pdf

April 26, 2023 - Presentation: Transitioning the Blue Box Program to Full Extended Producer Responsibility - Update

March 23, 2023 – Blue Box Waste Management System 2022 Annual Report.

June 10, 2020 – PW 2020-21 – Transitioning the Municipal Blue Box Program to Full Extended Producer Responsibility.

October 23, 2019 – PW 2019-44 – Transitioning the Blue Box Program to Full Extended Producer Responsibility.