Frequently asked questions

If the map is not showing any recycling locations near you, you can:

• Try expanding your search by increasing the distance you’re willing to travel or modifying other filters.
• If there still isn’t a recycling location near you, contact the waste management department at your municipality for proper disposal instructions.

The Where to Recycle map displays locations that the public can drop off used materials to be recycled, such as batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste (e.g., paint, antifreeze, pesticides), lighting and tires, for free. For specific examples of materials accepted and important information to know before dropping off materials, visit the Where to Recycle Map page.

The map does not display locations for Blue Box materials because they are typically collected directly from residences. For more information on recycling Blue Box materials, visit Circular Materials’ website.

Typically, only municipal depots may require valid IDs when dropping off materials to recycle to confirm you live in that municipality. It is recommended to bring your ID with you to any location, just in case.

The Where to Recycle map displays locations across Ontario where you can drop off used materials for free to be recycled, such as batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste (e.g., paint, antifreeze, pesticides), lighting and tires. Materials collected at these locations are reused, refurbished, recycled, or properly disposed of to help keep them out of landfill, recover valuable resources and protect our environment. 

The map does not display locations for Blue Box materials because they are typically collected directly from residences. For more information on recycling Blue Box materials, visit Circular Materials’ website. Circular Materials is the administrator of Ontario’s Blue Box program.

No. Public recycling locations (that are displayed on RPRA’s Where to Recycle map) cannot charge the public a fee or refuse the drop-⁠off of materials that the location accepts.  

However, recycling locations can request reasonable requirements when consumers drop off an item to ensure health and safety. For example, sites may require that used oil filters are dropped off in sealed containers, light tubes are taped together, etc.

For more information on what materials are accepted for recycling at specific locations, see the Where to Recycle Map page.

If you are charged a fee or refused drop off at a specific location, click the ‘Report an Issue’ link on that specific location. This link will open a form for you to fill out about the issue. The issue will be reviewed, and action will be taken, as necessary.

If you experience an issue when dropping off your recyclables at a location displayed on the map, click the ‘Report an Issue’ link on that specific location. This link will open a form for you to fill out about the issue.  The issue will be reviewed, and action will be taken, as necessary.

You may report an issue because the recycling location:

• Charges you a fee to drop off materials accepted for recycling.
• *Refuses to accept your materials for recycling (only applicable if your materials are in line with the examples provided on the Where to Recycle Map page).
• Displayed on the map does not actually exist.
• Is not open to the public or does not accept the materials during its business hours.

*Note: Recycling locations can request reasonable requirements when you drop off an item to ensure health and safety. For example, sites may require that used oil filters are dropped off in sealed containers, light tubes are taped together, etc.

This map provides locations for most materials captured under Ontario’s recycling programs: batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting and tires.

See below for more information on what to do with materials that aren’t displayed on the map.

Household hazardous waste 

Drop-⁠off locations for some household hazardous waste, such as refillable propane containers, refillable pressurized containers, fertilizers and mercury-⁠containing thermostats, thermometers and barometers, aren’t displayed on the map because they aren’t required (under the recycling program) to be reported.   

However, there may be locations that accept these materials for recycling that aren’t listed on the Where to Recycle map. To find a location to dispose of refillable propane containers, refillable pressurized containers, fertilizers or mercury-⁠containing thermostats, thermometers and barometers, contact one of the businesses below or visit their website:

• Product Care Association
  • Offers services for fertilizers and refillable propane containers
  • Website (includes a map with recycling locations)  

• Ryse Solutions Ontario Inc.
  • Offers services for fertilizers, refillable pressurized containers, refillable propane containers, barometers, thermometers and thermostats
  • Phone: 289-352-1200 | Email: [email protected] | Website

• Tank Traders
  • Offers services for refillable propane containers
  • Website (includes a map with recycling locations)  

• Thermostat Recovery Program
  • Offers services for thermostats
  • Website (includes a map with recycling locations)  

Other materials (e.g., organics, mattresses, textiles, etc.) 

If you need to recycle materials outside of the materials shown on the Where to Recycle map page (e.g., organics, mattresses, textiles, etc.), please contact the waste management department at your municipality for proper disposal instructions. 

Blue Box materials (paper and plastic packaging)  

The map does not display locations for Blue Box materials because they are typically collected directly from residences. For more information on recycling Blue Box materials, visit Circular Materials’ website. Circular Materials is the administrator of Ontario’s Blue Box program.

Under Ontario’s circular economy laws, businesses that produce or supply batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting, and tires are required to provide recycling locations and report them to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA). Only locations reported to RPRA appear on the map.

Recycling locations you’re already aware of that don’t appear on the map most likely collect materials not listed above or are operated by a municipality who aren’t required to report recycling locations to RPRA.

If the information shows up correctly on Google Maps correct but is not showing on the Where to Recycle map, request to change it through the map directly by:

• looking up the location,
• clicking the location,
• clicking the ‘Report an issue for this location’ link, and
• filling out the form by providing the correct website link.

Businesses that produce or supply batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting and tires are legally required to provide recycling locations across the province for the public to drop off those materials once they’re finished using them. The businesses are required to reuse, refurbish, recycle, or properly dispose of the materials collected at those locations to help keep them out of landfill, recover valuable resources and protect our environment.

The recycling locations that appear on the map are reported to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) by businesses that run the recycling systems in Ontario. See our ‘What is RPRA?’ FAQ for more information.