Blue Box

Collection

Blue box material is collected every week on your regular collection day.

Place your blue box at the curb by 7 AM on your collection day or after 7 PM the night before.

Collection times can change without notice so don’t miss the truck!

This City of Markham provides blue box recycling collection to over 90,000 homes and 165 apartment/condo buildings.

Watch the video to learn how to recycle right and recycle more!

Blue Box Guidelines

Reminders:

Do not bag. Items must be loose in your blue box; bagged material can not be recycled.
Plastic bags and Styrofoam are not accepted in the blue box. Recycle them at any Markham Recycling Depot for recycling

Prevent your blue box material from becoming litter

High winds can be challenging at the curb, knocking over bins, blowing recyclables into the streets, and ending up in the parks.

Follow these windy day tips:

Put your blue box out in the morning of your collection day, not the night before.
Don't overload; keep material below the rim; stack blue boxes if possible.
Bundle newspapers and place them on top of the lighter items.
Flatten and bundle small cardboard boxes (e.g., cereal, tissue boxes)
Write your address on your blue boxes in permanent marker — this makes it easier for them to be returned if they blow away

Common items accepted in the blue box:

All glass bottles, jars, jugs
All paper products
All plastic food trays, containers
All plastic jugs, jars, bottles (#1-7)
Aluminum foil/trays/plates/packets
Cans
Cardboard (bundled 2’x2x’x1’)
Drink boxes/cartons
Egg carton (paper/plastic)
Milk cartons
Paint cans (empty, lids removed)
Spiral bound containers (chip can)
Water bottles
Yogurt containers (clean)

Unaccepted Material

Some items are recyclable but not in curbside blue box, see below where to drop off.

Markham Recycling Depot:

Batteries – also accepted at Markham community centres and libraries
Styrofoam - Learn more about Styrofoam recycling.
Plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, milk pouches
Textiles - also at a Markham textile donation bin located across the City
Metal pans

York Region's Hazardous Waste & Electronics Depot (HHW):

Electronics
Motor oil, transmission or brake fluid containers
Paint, cleaners, soaps

Clear bag garbage:

Plastic cutlery, drinking straws, coffee cup lids
Broken plastic toys or lawn furniture - donate items in good condition
Wax paper

Exchange Policy

Broken or damaged Markham-branded blue boxes can be exchanged at the Markham Recycling Depots only. $5.50 fee applies. Kitchen containers cannot be exchanged.

Blue boxes are also available for purchase at these locations: (No exchanges)

Community Centres
Angus Glen Community Centre
Centennial Community Centre
Milliken Mills Community Centre
Thornhill Community Centre

80 litres - $16.50 (prices effective Jan. 1, 2024)

Payment

Recycling Depots and Community Centres accept cheques or debit/credit cards.

The Civic Centre accepts cheques, debit/credit cards and cash.

What Happens to my Blue Box Material?

The City of Markham picks up recyclable materials. The Region of York processes them. Find out what happens to your recycling once it leaves your curb.