Starting in January 2026, the Province of Ontario will have one (1) comprehensive recycling program under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which will be under the sole management of Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) and their contractors. Municipalities are not responsible in any way for the collection and processing of recyclable materials. Circular Materials Ontario will be launching its own social media campaigns to inform Ontarians of the changes to recycling.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
In June of 2021, the Province of Ontario introduced the new Blue Box Regulation that shifted the financial and operational responsibility of recycling programs from municipalities to producer organizations that produce packaging, paper, and packaging-like products. Historically, municipalities managed and financially supported recycling programs. Despite our best efforts, municipalities were only ever compensated 50% of our eligible costs, which meant taxpayers paid the balance. Under the new regulation, the producers are 100% responsible for the program. Carleton Place transitioned our program to Circular Materials Ontario in July 2023. Since then, municipalities have been transitioning their programs to CMO, and the transition process will be complete by the end of December.
How does change impact residents of Carleton Place?
Residents will have a new recycling contractor starting in January 2026. Miller Waste and its subcontractor, Topps Environmental Solutions, will be responsible for all your recycling needs or concerns. Starting in January 2026, residents can contact Miller Waste at 1-888-852-2374.
Additionally, Circular Materials Ontario will be expanding the materials that will be accepted in the recycling program. Please watch for information from CMO.