Province reviews private recycler after crews say they will only collect what fits in blue bins
Regulator steps in after Circular Materials tells some Ontario residents crews will leave overflow recycling at the curb. The policy appears to conflict with Blue Box rules.
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By Torontoer Staff
The provincial recycling regulator has opened a review after a private contractor, Circular Materials, told some Ontario communities its collection crews will take only items that fit inside the blue bin and leave any overflow at the curb. The move comes amid the provincewide shift to extended producer responsibility and follows complaints from residents and municipal officials about missed collections and confusion.
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority, or RPRA, confirmed it is engaging with Circular Materials to understand the company’s operational plans and to ensure compliance with the Blue Box Regulation. RPRA said it wants to make sure the company understands and fulfils all requirements for curbside recycling collection.
What the regulation requires
Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation requires designated recyclers to collect, in a single day, all blue box material set out for curbside collection at a residence. That language is the basis for concern among municipal officials and advocacy groups who say leaving overflow on the curb would contradict the rule and could discourage recycling.
RPRA’s Compliance Team is actively engaged with Circular Materials to understand their operational plans to provide curbside recycling collection services across the province and to ensure they understand and fulfil all of the requirements of the Blue Box Regulation.
Wilson Lee, RPRA
Circular Materials’ explanation
Circular Materials’ CEO Allen Langdon told the Star the restriction is necessary in some communities to match the company’s trucks, operational logistics and commercial agreements. The company said residents who use their existing bin for at least 90 days can request an additional bin for overflow.
The company has not provided a public list of the communities where crews will enforce the bin-only rule. Municipal officials said contractors and their local partners are still sorting out operational details as the new system rolls out.
Local reaction and practical concerns
Residents and elected officials in Peel Region have raised immediate practical concerns. Homeowner Denise Ardito said two weeks of newspapers, pizza boxes and other larger items can quickly fill even the largest bins, and leaving overflow behind will create problems for households that rely on a single bin.
It looks pretty Mickey Mouse, and no disrespect to the rodent.
Peter Tabuns, Ontario NDP environment critic
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said she worries people will respond by putting recyclable material in the garbage or burning it. She noted Circular Materials has allowed residents in some townhouse complexes, where bins are impractical, to continue using bags, but questions remain about how consistently exceptions will be applied.
Peel Region Chair Nando Iannicca called the transition a cost-saving measure for the region and said some growing pains are expected. He said negotiations with the private contractor included discussions about service levels and the types of material the region wants to see recycled.
Where the review could lead
RPRA did not outline potential enforcement steps when contacted. If the regulator finds Circular Materials is not complying with the Blue Box Regulation, it could pursue remedies set out under the authority’s enforcement framework, though those options were not detailed in the agency’s response.
Provincial Environment Minister Todd McCarthy’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Opposition critics say the provincial government will bear responsibility if the transition discourages recycling or leads to more waste being sent to landfill.
What residents can do now
- Keep blue bin material set out as usual and report missed or partial collections to your municipality.
- If offered, request an additional bin after using your current bin for the required period.
- Contact your municipal waste department or councillor for clarification on local collection rules.
- Track RPRA and municipal updates to see whether enforcement or policy changes follow the review.
The broader shift to extended producer responsibility aims to move costs from municipalities to producers and increase recycling rates. The immediate challenge is operational: ensuring contractors can meet existing service standards while adapting to new contracts and equipment.
As RPRA continues its review, residents and local officials will be watching to see whether the regulator enforces the current requirement to collect all blue box material placed at the curb, or whether the province clarifies the rules to reflect new collection practices.
recyclingBlue BoxCircular MaterialsPeel RegionRPRA
