County moves to tighten Blue Box rules for condos and apartments

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The County of Brant is moving to update its waste collection guidelines for condominium and multi-residential developments in response to recent provincial changes to Ontario’s Blue Box recycling program.

County staff are recommending amendments to the technical guidelines that govern waste collection services for apartment buildings and condominium developments, requiring these properties to provide annual proof that a Blue Box recycling program is in place and operating at the same service level as County-provided garbage collection 

The proposed change comes as responsibility for residential Blue Box collection has shifted away from municipalities under Ontario Regulation 391/21. As of Jan. 1, 2025, the County no longer manages or operates the Blue Box program, which is now overseen by Circular Materials Ontario. 

Further amendments finalized by the province in September 2025 created a potential service gap for certain multi-residential and condominium developments. Under the updated regulation, producers are not required to provide Blue Box collection to buildings constructed after Jan. 1, 2026, until 2032 - a six-year window during which recycling services would need to be arranged and funded privately. 

County staff warn that without a mandatory recycling requirement during that period, recyclable materials from these properties could end up in the garbage stream, increasing landfill use, greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste program costs, while reducing diversion rates and reuse within the circular economy. 

Prior to 2017, the County did not provide waste collection services to multi-residential or condominium developments. That changed after council approved garbage and Blue Box collection for eligible properties that met specific technical requirements. If those requirements are not satisfied, the County does not provide service. 

Under the proposed update, multi-residential and condominium developments would be required to submit proof of a Blue Box collection contract within 30 days of a County request. Failure to do so would mean the technical guidelines are no longer met, and County waste collection services could be withdrawn. 

County staff say the change is intended to protect diversion efforts and prevent recyclable material from being disposed of as garbage during the provincial transition period.The recommendation was brought forward for consideration by the county’s Administration and Operations Committee earlier this week.