As of August 28th, 2024, responsibility for recycling collection and processing will transition from the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) to producers of packaging and paper products due to new regulations in Ontario published on June 1, 2021. This is part of a three-year province-wide transition to “Extended Producer Responsibility”. The transition to Extended Producer Responsibility will be complete by the end of 2025.
As a result, Essex-Windsor’s Blue/Red Box Recycling Program will be managed by Circular Materials, who is the administrator of the common collection system across Ontario. For more information visit: www.circularmaterials.ca.
When will the Transition begin in the Essex-Windsor region? |
All municipalities in Essex-Windsor will Transition their recycling program to Circular Materials on August 28, 2024. |
What changes are happening as a result of the Transition to Producers? |
Effective August 28, 2024, Producers are responsible under the Regulation to administer this recycling program to Eligible Sources in Windsor and Essex County through: curbside collection, depot collection, and providing promotional and educational resources. A key change is that the Regulation does not obligate Producers to provide services to Non-Eligible Sources (NES) such as industrial and commercial businesses, institutions, and not-for-profits that the EWSWA currently services.
The EWSWA is creating a special "NES Recycling Program" during Transition to address this gap in service. For more information visit: https://www.ewswa.org/curbsidecollection/recycling/non-eligible-sources/ |
What is an Eligible Source? |
Under the Regulation, Eligible Sources include:
|
How does an Eligible Source continue to receive recycling collection during Transition? |
If you are considered an Eligible Source, and you currently receive recycling collection services from the EWSWA, you will continue to receive service after August 27, 2024. Your currently scheduled collection day will remain the same and you can continue to follow your Collection Calendar or Recycle Coach App. Note that collection can occur anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., so it is important to set-out your recycling by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. |
Why is the program changing? |
Historically, Ontario’s recycling programs were operated by municipalities who were responsible for paying about half of the cost of the program, with Producers responsible for the other half. Now, under the new Regulation, Producers – the organizations that produce the products and packaging – are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program, thus supporting a Circular Economy. For more information on the Transition visit: www.rpra.ca/programs/blue-box/. |
How will Eligible Sources be advised of service changes after August 27, 2024? |
Circular Materials will continue to use the Recycle Coach App to communicate any service changes during Transition (until December 31, 2025), so if you have not downloaded this app yet, please do so. This can be downloaded for free on the App Store for Apple users and Google Play for Android users. Stay connected with Circular Materials through their website (www.circularmaterials.ca), twitter (@CircMaterials) and Instagram (circmaterials). |
What does Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mean? |
EPR is a framework in which Producers are responsible for the end-of-life management of these materials. EPR enables innovation, operational efficiencies, increased standard levels, and access to materials. It is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms to improve recycling rates. Full EPR begins January 1, 2026 once all municipalities and First Nations in Ontario have transitioned (2023-2025). |
Will materials currently accepted in the recycling program change during Transition? |
Effective August 28, 2024, the following materials will no longer be accepted in the recycling program: books (hard and softcover), empty aerosol spray paint containers, empty paint cans and motor oil. Instead, drop off at an EWSWA Depot for free. Books and other materials in good condition Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority / ask@ewswa.org / www.ewswa.org can be donated. For Depot information visit: https://www.ewswa.org/drop-off -depots/ |
What happens after Transition (after December 31, 2025) to service levels for Eligible Sources? |
Circular Materials is responsible for communicating any program changes after Transition. To stay up-to-date, Circular Materials has a page for each municipality on its website to communicate any changes. Visit www.circularmaterials.ca/ON or subscribe to the Recycle Coach App to stay updated of any program changes. |
Why should I continue to recycle if it is not a municipal program? |
The EWSWA’s 2022/2023 Residential Curbside Waste Audit shared that Essex-Windsor Households (i.e., Eligible Sources) do a great job at recycling; where 96% of materials set-out in the Red Box were acceptable materials and 83% of materials set-out in the Blue Box were acceptable materials. Essex-Windsor Eligible Sources should continue to participate in this program, as it positively preserves our local Essex-Windsor Regional Landfill which is one of the region’s greatest assets. It is these eff orts, along with other diversion programs, that will extend the life of the landfill. Given that a new landfill is estimated to require half a billion taxpayer dollars, it is in everyone’s best interest to take all steps possible to extend the life of the current landfill. Other environmental benefits that come with recycling include reduced carbon emissions, conservation of natural resources, and energy savings to name a few. Residents of Essex-Windsor should be proud of their recycling habits and continue to participate in such an impactful program. |
Who should an Eligible Source contact for questions about recycling after Transition? |
As the EWSWA is no longer overseeing the program, an Eligible Source should directly contact the following companies for immediate support: Green For Life Environmental Inc. (GFL)
Email: WeRecycling@gflenv.com
Circular Materials
Email: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca (English), serviceclientele@circularmaterials.ca (French) |
Contact Us