Ontario’s new provincewide residential recycling program has faced early hiccups, with residents in several communities reporting missed pickups, confusion over new bin sizes and uncertainty about who to contact for help.
As of Jan. 1, responsibility for residential recycling has shifted from municipalities to Circular Materials, which now runs the producer-funded blue box system across the province. The transition means cities and towns no longer manage recycling collection.
In recent days, Circular Materials apologized for missed collections in parts of Ontario, including Toronto, where some recycling was left at the curb following the post-holiday rush. The organization said it is working with contractors to clear all missed materials by the end of the week.
Speaking at a news conference on Jan. 8, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged residents to remain patient as the new system settles in.
“There’s always little kinks and bumps in the road,” Ford said. “They’ve reassured us that it’s going to be 100 per cent. We’ll get through it.”
In some regions, traditional blue boxes have been replaced with large wheeled recycling carts, including 360-litre lidded bins. While designed to increase capacity and efficiency, the larger carts have raised storage concerns for some households.
Dufferin County is among the areas using the wheeled bins. Residents there were automatically issued the 360-litre version but can request a smaller 240-litre bin instead.
Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post said some residents wanted to see the carts before making a final decision. She noted that those seeking the smaller size must submit a request through Circular Materials.
The deadline to switch to a 240-litre bin is Jan. 15..
Circular Materials CEO Allen Langdon said the organization oversees recycling services in 395 Ontario communities and that replacement bins are available to residents at no cost.
Langdon emphasized that under the new extended producer responsibility model, the cost of recycling — including bins — is fully covered by producers of paper and packaging products, not municipalities or taxpayers.
“Ontario municipalities are collectively saving more than $200 million,” he said, allowing local governments to redirect funds to other priorities.
Circular Materials has also expanded the list of materials accepted in blue boxes across Ontario. New recyclable items include black plastic containers, hot and cold beverage cups, frozen juice containers, ice cream tubs, toothpaste tubes and deodorant packaging.
The unified list, effective Jan. 1, standardizes what can be recycled provincewide, covering cardboard and boxboard, paper products, cartons, hard and flexible plastics, foam packaging, metal containers and most glass food and beverage containers.
Residents are encouraged to check Circular Materials’ website for community-specific details as the new system continues to roll out across Ontario.
