Why was my recycling not collected?
Check to see if a sticker has been left on top of the recycling set-out. If there is no sticker and your neighbours on both sides of the street have been collected, and/or it is past 6:00 p.m., call 519-539-9800 or 1-800-755-0394 to check on your location. You can also check out Wasteline.ca or @WastelineOxford on Twitter for municipality-wide issues, such as weather or traffic related issues.
 Why was my cardboard tagged?
Cardboard must be bundled together and no larger than 75cm x 75cm x 20cm. Cardboard cannot be stuffed inside of another cardboard box for recycling as it must be bundled. Cardboard can also be brought to the Waste Management Facility at no charge.
 Why isn’t my recycling being accepted in blue recycling bags?
Our new contractor cannot accept any bagged recycling or plastic bags and film for recycling. All materials need to be loose in the blue box to be recycled

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.
  • Recycling set outs must not weigh more than 20 kg/ 44 lbs

Good Set-out

recycling sorted into multiple containers

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 Set-out

recycling not sorted into multiple containers

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

plastic identifier printed on most plastic containersThe 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.

 

Acceptable and Unacceptable recycling materials

 Unacceptable blue box materials

graphic image of plastic bag and plastic container with x on itThe 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)
What goes where - acceptable materials

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 containers – glassware is considered garbage
  • 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.