The Town of Newmarket will be among the last municipalities to transition to a new producer-led recycling model announced June 3.
The province unveiled the change, which will see all municipal recycling programs enfolded into a single one paid for by packaging and product producers. Municipalities will transition into the new model between 2023-2025, with York Region municipalities due to change by Dec. 31, 2025.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said he is excited by the transition but also has some concerns.
“The hope is that they will eliminate excess or unnecessary packaging because they will have to pay for it eventually,” Taylor said. “Having said that, I am concerned that the level of service and the items accepted and the levels of recycling may not be as strong under the private sector as it is under a municipal program. We will monitor the transition closely.”
The new model will standardize what is recyclable across the province and will include common single-use and packaging products such as plastic cups, trays, bags and boxes. Recycling will also expand to more facilities such as apartment buildings, long-term care and retirement homes, and schools.
The province stated the changes will save taxpayers approximately $156 million annually.
“Our government is supporting the people of Ontario by moving accountability for recycling costs away from the taxpayer,” Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark said in a news release. “We are proud to support these changes that will help divert waste and protect our environment while putting money back in the pockets of people who live and work in this province.”
The province said this will not disrupt existing blue box programs, with curbside service to continue where it exists. Producers will now run those services.
The province is phasing the program in over three years, with all York Region municipalities being among the last to transition. Taylor said this will allow the region to learn from other municipalities.
"By waiting closer to the provincial deadline to make the transition, we are able to align with our current contracts better and perhaps learn from other jurisdiction’s experiences,” Taylor said.
