Recycling Container Take Back Program

To help the residents of Lakeshore, the EWSWA is offering a "Recycling Container Take Back Program" at EWSWA Depots from January 15 to April 15, 2026. Residents may drop-off unwanted or incompatible blue/red boxes and recycling carts for free where they will be recycled, instead of going to landfill.

Recycle boxes/carts must be empty at drop-off.

EWSWA Depot Locations: 

  • Public Drop Off (Windsor): 3560 North Service Rd. East (on the corner of E.C. Row and Central)
  • Transfer Station #2 (Kingsville): 2021 Albuna Townline
  • Regional Recycling Depot (Essex): 7700 County Rd. 18

If you cannot access an EWSWA Depot to drop off your recycling cart/boxes and you live in the County of Essex, EWSWA is offering a pick-up program from February 4 to April 15, 2026. Pick ups will be on Wednesdays and Fridays only (no pick-up on Good Friday, April 3rd, 2026).

  • You must call 1-800-563-3377 to register.
  • Final day to register for a pick-up is April 1st, 2026.

Circular Materials now manages recycling

The Ontario government changed who is responsible for recycling

If your recycling was not picked up, report it to GFL, the collection contractor for Circular Materials.

This change is part of a new policy that makes producers responsible for recycling operations and costs. 

As of January 1, 2026: 

  • Circular Materials manages recycling services in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
  • You will have the same recycling schedule and use a new recycling bin.
  • Lakeshore is no longer responsible for recycling.
  • Lakeshore still collects garbage and yard waste (through GFL) while EWSWA manages the Green Bin program.

Read EWSWA's Fact Sheet about the changes to Recycling Collection.

Transitioning from municipal recycling collection to Circular Materials is part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model.

Extended producer responsibility means that producers – the businesses that supply packaging and paper – are financially responsible and accountable for recycling materials from their production to their disposal.

Changing to the EPR model is designed to encourage more sustainable packaging, create consistency for all municipalities, and improve recycling outcomes across Ontario.

Related information: