Glass Recycling in Ontario
A Practical Guide
Why Recycle Glass?
Glass is a valuable material that can be processed and reused in many ways—from new bottles and jars to building materials like fiberglass and tile. Recycling helps conserve resources and reduce landfill waste—but only when done correctly.
In Ontario, there are a few systems working together to collect, sort, and repurpose glass containers.
Here's how it all fits together.
How Glass is Collected in Ontario
1. Collection Methods
Blue Box Program
Ontario's curbside recycling system accepts glass bottles and jars. Residents are encouraged to place clean, empty glass containers into their blue bins.
Deposit Return Program
The Ontario Deposit Return Program (ODRP) allows consumers to return alcoholic beverage containers for a refund. Managed by The Beer Store, this program boasts high return rates, with refillable beer bottles achieving a 98% return rate.
Drop-Off & Commercial Recycling
Glass is also collected at municipal drop-off sites and through commercial programs (e.g. bars and restaurants). Some cities have separate bins for glass to help improve sorting and quality.
2. Processing Facilities
Collected glass is transported to processing facilities where it is cleaned, sorted by color, and crushed into cullet.
