Ontario is changing how recycling is handled—and that means big updates for households in the Bay of Quinte area. Whether you live in Quinte West, Belleville, Prince Edward County, or Brighton, it’s time to get familiar with the transition.
What’s Changing Province-Wide?
The province is rolling out a standardized blue box program across Ontario, led by Circular Materials. By 2026, every municipality will follow a consistent list of what can and can’t be recycled. The goal? Make it easier to recycle, reduce contamination, and improve long-term sustainability.
The program will also:
- Expand blue box service to parks and public spaces.
- Introduce new ways to collect hard-to-recycle or contaminated materials.
- Shift responsibility from municipalities to producers, meaning the companies that create packaging will now fund and manage recycling.
But how does this impact us in the Bay of Quinte?
Quinte West and Belleville
Quinte West and Belleville are transitioning to a new contractor, Environmental 360 Solutions (E360S), who will take over recycling collection starting July 18, 2025.
New blue box collection days will also take effect the week of July 21, 2025. These changes may seem convoluted, but will help streamline and systemize recycling collection in the region.
You can view your updated schedule here:
Important: There are currently no changes to what you can recycle. Keep following your usual routine until the new standardized list rolls out province-wide in 2026.
Garbage collection days in both cities will match your recycling pickup day. Bag tags are still required.
Prince Edward County
PEC is also preparing for the changeover. While the current service remains in place, a new collection system will begin in 2025. You can follow updates here:
Brighton
Brighton is part of the regional transition too, although specifics around new pickup days and service providers have not yet been published. Updates can be found at:
City hall is a great resource of information for changes to gar=bage and recycling collection.
Stirling-Rawdon
Stirling-Rawdon’s recycling program is undergoing a schedule change starting the week of July 21, 2025. Households across the township will have recycling collected on Wednesdays, beginning with Zone 1. If you’re located in Ward 2 (the former Village of Stirling), you’ll continue to enjoy weekly Monday recycling pick-up and Wednesday garbage collection. All garbage must be placed in clear bags with red bag tags.
Bag tags are available for $3.00 at local vendors and the Municipal Office. Residents can continue to drop off large items and yard waste at either the Stirling or Rawdon Waste Disposal Sites, depending on their location. For the full collection schedules, zoning maps, and landfill hours, visit the Township’s Garbage and Recycling page.
Staying Informed
Until July 17, 2025, you can continue reporting missed pickups through Quinte Waste Solutions. After that date, recycling inquiries should be directed to E360S.
To learn more about how the province is managing this shift, visit:
This recycling transition may seem like a small update, but it represents a major shift toward more sustainable waste management in Ontario—and it’s coming soon to your street.
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