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Programs and Services


Recycling

Why was my recycling not collected?
Why was my cardboard tagged?
Why isn’t my recycling being accepted in blue recycling bags?

Recycling set out

Recycling is a key way to keep materials like plastics out of our landfill. 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:

  • All items should be loose and clean in your bins.
  • 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 your 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.
  • 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.

Good

good set out picture of recycling box

Recycling has been set out in a neat and orderly fashion, making it less likely that material will be blown away. Shredded paper is set out in a clear plastic bag.

Bad

torn garbage bag

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.

Plastic resin identifier

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, as there are issues with separating out different types of plastic for recycling.

plastic resin symbol

Acceptable and unacceptable materials

Unacceptable blue box materials

The 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)

No longer collected

Acceptable materials found through what goes where and the recyclable poster

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 (fl attened)
  • Cardboard packaging
  • Clear & coloured glass
  • 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.