The deadline to move to producer responsibility recycling is fast approaching and many local businesses are feeling the impacts.
Back in 2024, the county switched over responsibility of recycling collection to circular materials as part of a provincial legislation to help reduce waste in landfills. Circular waste then contracted Emterra for local collection of recycling. This change had minimal impact of residents as they still were able to recycle materials and have it collected free of charge.
The new producer responsibility model of recycling that was legislated by the Ontario government was done so to create cohesive collection throughout the province. Now there is a unified system to what materials are accepted and what are not. Previously, there were different rules for different cities/municipalities which meant that some materials where accepted in one township but not the others.
While residents did not see much of a change other than who to call for a new blue box, businesses are now facing challenges with their collection.
Under this new model, businesses are required to pay for their collection or find a way to dispose of their recycling themselves.
According to an FAQ document sent out on behalf of the County of Peterborough to all local businesses, the new blue box program applies to residential and other eligible properties including schools, and non-profit long-term care and retirement homes, but excludes non-eligible sources such as businesses, places of worship, municipal buildings, daycares, commercial farms, charities, and campgrounds and trailer parks.
These types of properties will not receive blue box collection funded by the producers under the new blue box program. During the transition, the County of Peterborough has been providing curbside recycling collection for approximately 550 non-eligible source properties funded by our taxpayers. The County of Peterborough will no longer be able to provide this service starting January 1, 2026.
Non-eligible sources include:
• Businesses (retail, grocery, offices, food service, restaurants, gas bars, marinas)
• Places of Worship (church, synagogue, mosque, temple, community centre within a church)
• Municipal Buildings (library, community centres, arenas, municipal offices, shelters)
• Daycares (within a church, within a school, in home, stand alone)
• Charities (not-for-profit, charity events)
• Commercial farms (farm operation, barn, office)
• Campground/trailer park without seasonal residents
As of January 1, 2026, businesses will need to arrange to dispose of their recycling themselves or make arrangements with a private contractor to collect the recycling. These private collectors could include Emterra Canada, Waste Connections, Miller Waste or GFL Environmental.
Karri Snoddy, Manager or Waste Management said, “It is unfortunate that the province did not include small businesses in the producer responsibility blue box legislation. The County has been advocating to the province that these locations should be included in the provincial recycling program over the last two years. We recommend that businesses reach out to the province to have their voice heard. If businesses have any questions about the letter that was sent out or next steps, they can reference the FAQ document or contact our Waste Management & Sustainability division at 705-743-0380.”
This new change will have serious implications of small businesses in the area.
Nick Exton, owner of the Canoe and Paddle, Stuff and Stuff’d in Lakefield said, “Our municipal taxes for business are calculated at four times that of residential already. As a restaurant owner in Lakefield, the township has never picked up our garbage in 11 years, despite many attempts to rectify the situation. To employ commercial garbage collection over the last 11 years has cost us $120,000. The only thing we get picked up is recycling now this is being removed. When I asked if our municipal tax rate would be recalculated I was told categorically no. So as of Jan. 1st, we will receive nothing for the $12,000 a year we pay in taxes. I have received a quote from our garbage collection company and the recycling program will add $2,500 per year to our costs. I have emailed our MPP Dave Smith and challenged him to reply to me, as expected he has failed to reply.”
This new recycling program has no impacts or changes to garbage collection, it is strictly for recycling.
The County said that those wishing to discuss or advocate against this change, should contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) or the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
MPP Smith did not respond to our request for comment before press time.
For more information on recycling within Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/living-in-our-community/recycling-and-waste/blue-bin-recycling/.
