Northumberland County’s blue and grey box recycling program is in its second year of private sector oversight as part of the province-wide transition to producer responsibility.
The change, that came into effect January 1, 2024, shifted program costs from municipalities to producers of recyclable materials, with Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) taking full control by 2026.
Adam McCue, Northumberland County’s Associate Director of Operations, Public Works, assures residents they will see no change in curbside recycling services next year. “The same materials, same collection days, and the same contractor, Miller Waste, will continue providing service,” he said.
McCue tells us, for most residents, the change has gone unnoticed.
The move is part of Ontario’s plan to standardize recycling materials and increase efficiency across the province. Municipalities previously shared program costs with producers; now, the full cost is borne by producers, saving Northumberland taxpayers $2.8 million annually.
According to McCue, even when Circular Materials Ontario takes over operations in 2026, it will be business as usual.
In addition to curbside pick-up, residents can still access the county’s three Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) in Brighton, Bewdley, and Seymour. However, ongoing negotiations with producers will determine whether blue and grey box materials can continue to be dropped off at these centres post-2026. The County will continue to collect standard household garbage, green bin or composting material as well as seasonal collection of leaf and yard waste.
McCue responds to recent rumours that recycling will stop after this year.
“Recycling will continue as usual,” said McCue, addressing concerns about potential service disruptions. “If you’ve heard rumours that recycling won’t be collected curbside in 2026, rest assured, they are false.”
McCue says he’s hopeful that with all municipalities in Ontario collecting the same materials, the type and variety of acceptable materials will increase post-2026.
For more details about the transition and its benefits, visit Northumberland County’s website at Transition of recycling system to producers – Northumberland County.
