The Government of Ontario transitioned the Blue Box Program to full producer responsibility on January 1, 2026. Most businesses and not-for-profits (non-eligible sources, or NESs) area no longer eligible for municipal blue box service. This is referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

After being directed by the provincial government, Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) are in the process of developing service offers to municipalities that could allow curbside collection of recyclables from NES, mixed with residential recyclables, to continue. However, there is concern that they could be cost prohibitive and/or impose unreasonable performance requirements (e.g., limiting each business to a maximum of two blue boxes/week).

Since municipalities were not able to make alternate arrangements by December 31, 2025, Niagara Region ceased its service for NES. There is therefore a gap in service that may require businesses to source private collection contracts at significantly higher costs, or forgo recycling altogether.

Separate collection of blue box items from businesses is inefficient and costly, requiring additional trucks, modified routes, and new crews, with higher emissions.

Municipal budgets are increasingly strained, and local governments like Niagara Region will be unable to provide this service without substantial tax increases.
Producers are required to offer blue box collection to municipalities, but municipalities can only accept or reject the offer, and so far, offers have been unreasonably expensive.

Proven models, such as Ontario’s deposit-return system for beverage containers, demonstrate that inclusive, coordinated programs can achieve high recovery rates while supporting businesses through shared infrastructure and transitional assistance.

At present rates, Ontario’s landfill capacity will be completely depleted by 2034 (2032 if the United States stops accepting our waste). If businesses and non-profits can’t find acceptable options for recycling Blue Box waste, that waste will end up in landfills, accelerating that timeline.

The GNCC supports expanding EPR to include commercial generators, paired with transitional support for SMEs and collaborative infrastructure solutions. We urge the Ministry to:

1. Mandate NES as eligible sources under the Blue Box Regulation; or
2. Require PROs to take a flexible approach to NES curbside collection, ensuring offers are affordable, practical, and not bound by unreasonable service restrictions.

The goal should be to protect recycling access for small businesses, avoid unnecessary service disruptions, and ensure an efficient, coordinated collection system that serves both residents and businesses.

The firms below may be able to help NES with their recycling needs.

2025-ongoing