RECYCLING CHANGES, RECYCLING STILL MATTERS

In a perfect world, we would reduce and refuse waste at the source. While recycling does require energy, water, and infrastructure—and some materials are downcycled—it remains an important tool for reducing landfill waste and conserving resources. Using your blue box is still an easy way residents of Wasaga Beach can fight climate change.

Why Recycling Matters

Recycling continues to provide important environmental benefits:

• 🌳 Conserves natural resources, including trees and fossil fuels (ex. recycling just one tonne of paper can save up to 17 trees)
• 💡 Saves energy as recycled materials generally require less energy to produce (ex, recycled aluminum uses up to 95% less energy than new)
• 👣 Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by lowering fossil fuel use
• 🏭 Cuts landfill pollution, including methane gas
• 🚮 Keeps waste out of landfills and reduces the need for new materials
• 🦋 Protects ecosystems by limiting decreases the need logging, mining, and drilling

What’s Changed in Recycling Collection

• As of January 1, 2026, residential recycling in Simcoe County is managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization operating under Ontario’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
• Under EPR, producers—not municipalities—are responsible for collecting, processing, and recycling the materials they create. This shift supports a circular economy*, where materials are reused in new products rather than discarded.
• Circular Materials ensures recyclables are collected, processed, and returned to producers. Jennifer Kerr from Circular Materials states that the program is regulated by Ontario’s Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA), which publicly reports on recycling system performance each year. Producers are held accountable through data-driven recycling targets designed to improve recovery rates and material efficiency.
• Circular Materials prioritizes local processing whenever possible, with materials marketed in Canada, the U.S., and internationally as needed. The organization is also launching the world’s first Material Access for Producers Program, allowing recycled materials to be returned directly to producers to increase post-consumer content.

What Stays the Same

• Bi-weekly garbage and weekly organics collection will continue to be managed by Simcoe County
• Miller Waste remains the garbage and organics collector
• Recycling will be collected on the same day using the same carts

Laura Barrett, manager of waste collection for Simcoe County, emphasizes the importance of sorting correctly and rinsing recyclables before placing them in your blue bin.

What’s Different

• 🚛 New recycling trucks and collection schedule, operated by Emterra Environmental Inc.
• ♻️ More items are being accepted, including:
  • Black plastic containers
  • Hot and cold beverage cups
  • Frozen juice containers and ice cream tubs
  • Deodorant and toothpaste tubes
• 📞 New recycling contact
  • Emterra Environmental Inc.
  • 1-888-597-1541
  • [email protected]
• 🏢 No recycling collection for businesses and institutions
  Recycling will no longer be collected from Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional properties. Recycling drop-off remains available at County Waste facilities for a fee**.

Learn more at: circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/simcoe-county

*A circular economy reduces waste by keeping materials in use through reuse and recycling.

**New recycling fees for drop-offs at county waste facilities, with a $10 minimum charge or $200 per tonne. The County waived fees temporarily until Jan 31, 2026.

LOCAL ACTIONS PRODUCE GLOBAL IMPACT – ENGAGE WITH WASAGA BEACH CLIMATE ACTION TEAM

wasagabeachclimateaction.com    [email protected]

*** * * NOTE: Courtesy of WHAT’S UP? GEORGIAN BAY – This WBCAT article was originally published in WHAT’S UP? GEORGIAN BAY magazine, January 2026 

https://issuu.com/whatsupgeorgianbay/docs/what_s_up_georgian_bay_-_february_2026/s/152331516

Resources & Contacts

Learn more at: circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/simcoe-county      https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-provinces/ontario/

For Recyclinhg: Circular material  https://www.circularmaterials.ca/  1-877-667-2626  [email protected]

For Recycling Pick-up: EMTERRA Environmental Inc  https://www.emterra.ca/ – 1888-597-1541 – [email protected]

For Garbage and Green Bin: Simcoe County https://simcoe.ca/residents/organics-recycling-and-garbage/

For Waste Drop-Off Locations: https://simcoe.ca/residents/organics-recycling-and-garbage/waste-drop-offs

Use the Waste Wizzrd to know what goes where: https://simcoe.ca/residents/organics-recycling-and-garbage/waste-wizard/

For Additional Information Contact:

[email protected]