What To Do With Old Recycle Boxes/Carts

What to Do with Your Old Recycling Boxes & Carts

Effective January 1, 2026, Circular Materials will no longer service your old blue boxes, red boxes, or recycling carts for the Blue Box Program. But don’t worry, there are lots of great ways to give them a second life and keep them out of our Essex-Windsor Regional Landfill!

Repurpose Your Old Recycling Boxes

Your old boxes are durable, lightweight, and perfect for everyday use around the home such as:

• Home storage for seasonal items, sports gear, or tools
• Toy bin to keep playrooms neat and organized
• Laundry basket that can handle heavy loads
• Garage or shed organizer for garden supplies or car-cleaning products

Pro Tip: Create a Hazardous Special Products (HSP) & Drop-Off Depot Bin

Use one of your old recycling boxes to store materials to bring to one of three EWSWA Depots, including:

• Batteries- see link for proper storage  Call2Recycle
• Vapes
• Light bulbs
• Scrap metal
• Small electronics
• Old paint, chemicals & other hazardous materials

When the box is full, bring it to any EWSWA depot, as residents can drop these items off for free. By doing so, you will help keep hazardous special products and other materials out of the landfill and protect our environment.

Repurpose Your Old Recycling Carts

Rolling carts are incredibly versatile and durable! Consider using them for:

• Yard waste like branches, leaves, garden trimmings, etc.
• Storing gardening tools and outdoor supplies

Donate, Sell, or Give Them Away

If you can’t find a use for your old boxes or carts, you can:

• Sell or give them away on Facebook Marketplace or local buy-and-sell groups
• Donate to community groups, schools, gardens, neighbours, or clubs that can put them to use

For additional information visit: Circular Materials

Contact Circular Materials for support: 1-877-667-2626