Blue box pickup to end for small business in Ontario region

Blue box pickup for small businesses in Durham will end December 31 as the region transitions to a full producer responsibility model.

Residents will see no changes to their schedules (changes may be coming after next year) but small businesses will now have to arrange for private pickup of their recyclable materials.

Households in Durham saw their blue box collection awarded to Circular Materials on January 1, 2024 and the two-box system for papers and containers will continue to be used. Residents will also be able to recycle more materials, such as hot and cold beverage cups, deodorant and toothpaste tubes and ice cream tubs.

Businesses, however, will see their curbside blue box collection end on December 31, forcing business owners to find a private recycling collection service to manage their blue box materials.

Collection services for garbage, green bin and leaf and yard waste will remain unaffected and blue box materials can still be recycled at any regional waste management facility.

The transition aligns with provincial changes which shifts recycling responsibilities from municipalities to the producers of the materials recycled in the blue bins.

Circular Materials is an organization representing the producers and importers of packaging materials.

Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson noted the changes will affect more than 1,000 businesses and churches in the city.

“For some businesses this is not a huge issue, for many, it is massive, as they are being told to take their recycle home.”

Questions about the changes in Durham should be directed to 311 (within Durham Region) or 1-800-372-1102 or by emailing [email protected].