Keewatin Channel Bridge Weight Restriction

The Keewatin Channel Bridge currently has a vehicle weight limit due to scaffolding adjustments.

Vehicles weighing up to 8,500 pounds, including passengers and cargo, may continue to use the bridge via the signalled alternating traffic in the Eastbound lane.

All commercial vehicles weighing over 8,500 pounds must use the Highway 17A Bypass. 

Emergency vehicles and buses are permitted to cross the bridge with the flow of regular passenger traffic, although no more than one emergency vehicle or bus may be on the bridge at the same time. 

For more information, see the Public Notice.

Recycling

You can do your part to keep recycle items out of the landfill. The City of Kenora offers free recycling services at the curbside and at the Transfer Station recycle depot. You may also wish to participate in Freecycle Days in Kenora in May and September, promoted by our Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Changes to Curbside Recycling for Residents in 2026

Residential recycle blue box programs across Ontario continue to move to a collection system that is 100 percent funded and operated by producers of packaging and paper products. Starting on January 1, Kenora will transition to an enhanced recycling system operated by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization responsible for managing the system. 

Recycling will be even more convenient in Kenora with a new recycling cart and a standardized list of what can be recycled across Ontario.

Visit Circular Materials - Kenora website

Key changes for Kenora’s curbside recycling collection program:

  • Early December 2025, large 360 litre recycling carts will be delivered to curbside collection customers.
  • Until December 31, 2025, curbside collection customers will continue to use their current Blue Boxes.
  • Starting January 2, 2026, curbside collection customers will use the new recycling cart and should begin placing at curbside on their collection day.
  • Additional items can now be recycled including: glass containers, cartons, paper laminate packaging, and more!

The City of Kenora will continue to provide curbside collection services. 

Frequently asked questions

Contact GFL by phone at 1-833-835-4351 or by email at cm35@gflenv.com.

Historically, Ontario’s Blue Box programs were operated by municipalities who were responsible for paying about 50% of the program’s costs, while producers covered the other 50%. Under the new Blue Box Regulation, Ontario is transitioning to a new model where producers, the organizations that produce the products and packaging, are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program.

Cart distribution will be managed by GFL Environmental Inc. In early December 2025, GLF will deliver one 360 litre recycling cart to Kenora curbside collection customers. If you do not receive your cart by December 19, 2025, contact GFL at 1-833-835-4351 or by email at cm35@gflenv.com.

No. All curbside collection customers are required to use the recycling cart that is provided.

Set your recycling cart so that the wheels face towards your home and the lid opens toward the street.

Ensure the cart is at least 3 feet (1 metre) in front of or beside fences, vehicles, or other obstacles.

Place your cart on a flat surface that is clear of snow and ice to ensure safe collection.

Please ensure that all recyclables are included in the cart to enable efficient collection of recyclable materials.

If you need to recycle more than what fits in your cart or miss collection day, you can continue to drop off clean recyclables, for free, at the Transfer Station, located at 401 Mellick Avenue. The Transfer Station is open 7-days a week, with the exception of statutory holidays. 

As of January 2026, recycling boxes are not accepted in your curbside recycling. Consider reusing it for storage or re-purposing it for another use.

There are no changes to Coney Island recycle collection services. You can recycle additional new items, as outlined on by Circular Materials.

EPR is a framework in which producers, the businesses that supply paper and packaging to residents, are responsible for managing the end-of-life management of these materials.

What Goes Where search tool

Use the Recycle Coach What Goes Where search tool to help you decide where to put your waste items.

Recycling in 2025

Recycle at curbside

  • plastics with #1, #2, or# 5 recycle symbol (triangle)
  • box board, such as milk cartons, juice tetra packs, fibre egg cartons
  • corrugated cardboard (breakdown to 1 m by 1 m square or smaller)
  • magazines, catalogues, inserts, flyers,
  • newspapers
  • tin and aluminum food and beverage cans
  • white office paper

Curbside recycle collection service

  1. Place loosely in a Blue Box or suitable container. Multiple Blue Boxes may be used.
  2. Plastic bags cannot be used, except for shredded paper. Items in plastic bags will not be collected.
  3. Flatten and crush to fit more in your Blue Box
  4. Rinse and clean.
  5. Put your Blue Box or container at the curb by 8 a.m. on your collection day.

Your recycling was not picked up because

  • Items were in a plastic bag
  • Blue Box was not at the curb by 8 a.m.
  • Paper products were wet
  • There was garbage or soiled items
  • Items were not sorted properly
  • There were glass items
  • Blue Box was too big or broken

Not for the Blue Box

  • aluminum plates
  • animal waste (kitty litter, dog poop bags)
  • black microwave trays
  • broken toys
  • cardboard with wax surface
  • cassettes or CD covers
  • ceramic items (plates, mugs, tiles)
  • chip bags
  • clothing or rags
  • diapers or liquid absorbing pads
  • facial tissue
  • furnace or air filters
  • glass
  • light bulbs
  • motor oil containers

 

  • needles and syringes
  • orange Tide Pods containers
  • paint cans
  • paper plates
  • paper towels
  • plant pots
  • plastic bags
  • plastic wrap
  • soft plastic
  • Styrofoam
  • tin foil
  • toilet paper or tissues
  • vinyl products
  • waxed paper (hot beverage cups)
  • wood or wood products

Transfer Station recycle depot

If you missed your regular collection day, you can drop off recycle items into collector bins free of charge.

  • food beverage and plastic containers with #1,#2, and #5
  • batteries
  • box board
  • cans
  • electronic waste
  • fluorescent tube lights
  • glass
  • grass and leaves
  • paper
  • small passenger vehicle tires

Do not use plastic bags to bundle recycle items. Dump directly into the collector bins.

Contact Us

City of Kenora
1 Main Street South
Kenora ON P9N3X2

Phone: 807-467-2000
After hours: 807-467-2080

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Closed on Holidays

 

Submit a Request for Service

Stay in the know

Subscribe to stay informed about what matters to you. Get the latest news, alerts, events from the City of Kenora, and choose to receive The City Compass eNewsletter directly in your email inbox.

Subscribe