The beginning of 2026 brought changes to Ontario’s recycling collection program, with local municipalities such as North Glengarry facing concerns from residents. The new provincial program, operated by the recycling organization Circular Materials, began on January 1, 2026, and is intended to advance a circular economy.
Circular Materials states that a circular economy is “where materials are collected, recycled, and returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging,” adding that the company “ensures more materials are looped, benefitting both people and the environment.”
New recycling rules were also introduced, including what Circular Materials describes as two major changes: individuals can recycle anywhere within the province without having to check which materials are accepted in each community, and more materials can now be recycled, including ice cream tubs, frozen juice containers, and hot and cold beverage cups.
North Glengarry Director of Public Works Timothy Wright explained that the rollout has been a mixed bag for the municipality, noting that “North Glengarry transitioned to the provincial Blue Box Program on January 1, 2025. The early transition meant our residents were navigating these changes a full year ahead of most Ontario municipalities.”
“While concern-based call volumes have decreased considerably since those initial months, we continue to receive occasional inquiries as residents adjust to the expanded material list and new operational structure under Circular Materials,” Wright said.
Collection services experienced disruptions in North Glengarry during the earlier days of the transition, though missed pickups are no longer a main concern.
Wright said that the main complaint from residents and community stakeholders concerned the province’s decision to exclude small businesses, charities, organizations, and faith communities from the Blue Box program. “These groups can no longer access municipal collection and must now pay for private recycling services.”
He explained that this shift places additional pressure on non-profits and small businesses operating on tight budgets. “This will likely result in increased landfill disposal,” Wright said.
“It’s puzzling that Coca-Cola—one of the companies that delegates its recycling responsibilities to Circular Materials—is accountable for recycling a Coca-Cola plastic bottle from your home yet bears no responsibility for that same bottle when it’s recycled at a locally owned café, at your church, or at a sports field,” Wright concluded.
Wright said the municipality has brought these inconsistencies to the attention of the province but has not yet seen any improvements implemented at the legislative level.
