Ontario packaging EPR: the Blue Box program
In short
If you are the brand holder resident in Canada for packaged goods or paper products supplied to Ontario consumers, you are likely the obligated producer under the Blue Box Regulation. Producers file an annual supply report with RPRA by May 31 each year; the next deadline is May 31, 2027, covering 2026 data. If Circular Materials reports on your behalf, your data is due in its WeRecycle portal by May 15. This is general information, not advice about your company: confirm every deadline with RPRA or your PRO before acting, because dates can change.
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Who is obligated
You are a producer if you supply Blue Box material (product packaging, paper products, or packaging-like products) to consumers in Ontario for personal, family, or household use. The obligation follows a hierarchy: the brand holder resident in Canada first; if none, the Ontario importer; then the retailer; marketplace facilitators for marketplace sellers; franchisors for franchise systems. For unbranded products, the retailer is obligated. (RPRA Blue Box regulation)
Key dates
- May 31, 2027: Annual Blue Box supply report due to RPRA, covering 2026 data.
- May 15, 2027: Supply data due in the WeRecycle portal if Circular Materials reports to RPRA on your behalf.
- May 31, 2027: First performance audit report due (verifying 2024, 2025, and 2026 data), then every three years.
Where to file
All producers file directly with RPRA through its Registry at registry.rpra.ca. Producers who retain Circular Materials as their PRO submit supply data in the WeRecycle portal, and Circular Materials reports to RPRA on their behalf. (Circular Materials knowledge base)
Program and regulator
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) is the oversight authority: it runs the Registry, sets program fees, and enforces compliance. Circular Materials operates as a producer responsibility organization in Ontario and also administers the common collection system on behalf of all PROs. The transition from the old Stewardship Ontario program is complete; since January 1, 2026, producers are fully financially responsible for the residential Blue Box program.
Fees
RPRA's 2027 program fees are published: producers supplying 50,000 kg or less pay a $95 flat fee; above 50,000 kg the rate is $0.0107 per kg of Blue Box materials, based on 2026 supply. These are RPRA's program fees only; Circular Materials charges its own material fees separately. (RPRA 2027 fee schedule)
Exemptions
Producers with gross annual Ontario revenue from products and services of less than $2,000,000 are exempt from all producer requirements. Producers above that revenue level may still be exempt from performance requirements if their supply weight falls below per-category tonnage thresholds. Newspaper producers have a separate exemption. (RPRA Blue Box FAQs)
Enforcement
Late or false and misleading reports may be subject to compliance orders and administrative penalty orders.
Frequently asked questions
Do I file with RPRA or Circular Materials?
This is general information, not advice about your company. Every producer's report goes to RPRA. If you retain Circular Materials as your PRO, you submit your data in the WeRecycle portal by May 15 and Circular Materials files with RPRA on your behalf. If you report yourself, your RPRA deadline is May 31.
I supply under 50,000 kg. What do I pay?
This is general information, not advice about your company. RPRA's 2027 program fee for producers at or below 50,000 kg is a $95 flat fee. Your PRO's material fees are separate.
Does the $2 million revenue exemption mean I do nothing?
This is general information, not advice about your company. Producers under $2 million in gross annual Ontario revenue are exempt from all producer requirements, but you must keep records demonstrating you are under the threshold for five years.
How does NorthEPR help with Ontario?
This is general information, not advice about your company. NorthEPR evaluates your packaging catalogue against the Blue Box rules, estimates your fees from published schedules, and prepares a draft supply report you review and file yourself.
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