History of the Blue Box
in Waterloo Region
In the 1970’s, environmental awareness was growing in the
community. Several community recycling initiatives were
operating, i.e. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) ran a
drop off recycling program from 1976 to 1984 for steel cans,
glass and newspapers and the Boy Scouts ran a paper
drive.
In 1977, a garbage study determined that 40 per cent of the
waste going into the landfill was paper. Superior Sanitation,
the waste contractor for garbage collection for the City of
Kitchener, asked residents to separate newspapers, bundle
them and place the bundles out at the curb on their garbage
day. On average, about 30 tonnes per week were collected.
In 1981, Superior Sanitation (Laidlaw) obtained an extension
to their contract on the basis they would establish a
recycling program in Kitchener. On Sept.17 1981, a
recycling pilot was launched in the Kitchener Centre Ward
area. Over 1,000 homes were asked to sort steel cans,
glass and paper from their garbage and place along side
garbage at the curb for collection. Within the test area, 250
homes were given a “special” blue box container. The colour
blue was chosen because it was easy to identify at the curb.
In the first month, Superior Sanitation (Laidlaw) collected
triple the amount of recyclables than expected, 16,379
kilograms (36,000 pounds) instead of the 5,443 kilograms
(12,000 pounds) anticipated. Letters were received daily
requesting the program and the blue box. “Enthusiasm
toward source separation recycle programs was elevated
substantially with this pilot”,
Nyle Ludolph speech notes, May 1983.
By 1992, more then 500 Ontario municipalities, or
80 per cent of Ontario, residents have blue boxes.
In 2002, the Waste Diversion Act was created.
In 2009, an addition was added to the MRC to increase
processing capacity from 20,000 to 70,000 tonnes. Here in
the Region of Waterloo, the blue box program has
expanded over the years to include many more materials
such as plastic containers and juice/milk cartons.
In 2016, a larger blue box is encouraged to be used for
cans, cartons, bottles and cartons. Residents are asked to
sort “containers only” using a 68 to 91 litre (18 to 24 gallon)
“containers only” box and continue to use a smaller blue
box 45 to 60 litres (12 to 16 gallons) for “paper products and
plastic bags”. The Waste Management Division’s biggest
one-day giveaway event of 89 litre “containers only” boxes
happened on September 17th when over 12,500 boxes
were given out.
Generations of the blue box
CONTAINERS ONLY
Use another box for paper products and plastic bags
Plastic beverage, cleaning, personal
and pet care bottles
Apple
Plastic tubs and clamshell
packaging
Empty paint and
aerosol cans
Juice
Milk and juice cartons, drinking
boxes and paper coffee cups
Glass bottles
and jars
Metal food and
beverage cans
PAPER AND
PLASTIC BAGS
2016
P
IL
FO
In 1983, the blue box became the cornerstone for the
Kitchener city wide launch. Several weeks after the launch
to 35,000 homes, 75 per cent of the residents were putting
their blue box out to the curb.
In 1985, new legislation aimed at promoting “recyclable” and
“refillable” allowed aluminum and plastics to enter the soft
drink container market, and in 1986, a new province wide
blue box recycling program was set up.
In 1989 , the Materials Recycling Centre (MRC) was built at
the Waterloo landfill site, the first community sized sorting
centre in Ontario.
In 1990, the Region of Waterloo assumed the responsibility
for waste in the Region, including the blue box recycling
program. By the end of 1991, the cities of Kitchener,
Waterloo and Cambridge and the townships of Woolwich,
Wilmot, Wellesley and North Dumfries all had the blue box
recycling program.
WRA
Aluminum foil,
wrap and trays
Maximum 23 kg (50 lbs.)
1995
1983
1981
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste 519-575-4400 TTY 519-575-4608