Recycling Program Changes

The Ontario government changed who is responsible for recycling.

As of January 1, 2025, Circular Materials began managing recycling services across Peterborough County. Prior to this, Peterborough County was responsible for recycling.
As of January 1, 2026, Circular Materials also now manages recycling services across the Province.

This change is part of a new policy that shifts the responsibility of recycling operations and costs to producers.

About the Provincial Recycling Program

Transitioning from municipal recycling collection to Circular Materials is part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model.

Extended producer responsibility means that producers – the businesses that supply packaging and paper – are financially responsible and accountable for recycling materials from their production to their disposal.

Changing to the EPR model will encourage more sustainable packaging, create consistency for all municipalities, and improve recycling outcomes across Ontario.

As of January 1, 2025

Circular Materials manages recycling services throughout Peterborough County
Peterborough County is no longer responsible for recycling

As of January 1, 2026

Circular Materials manages recycling services throughout Ontario
New items will be accepted for recycling Province-wide, including:
- Deodorant sticks
- Toothpaste tubes
- Hand cream tubes
- Styrofoam trays and containers
- Flexible plastic packaging, including coffee bags, deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal liner bags, and plastic gift bags
Non-Eligible Sources (NES) no longer receive curbside recycling collection
- As mandated by the Province, curbside recycling collection will no longer be provided for NES properties, such as businesses, places of worship, municipal buildings, daycares, commercial farms, charities, campgrounds, and trailer parks. Instead of blue box collection, these NES generators are responsible for establishing and managing their own recycling.

Please note: Residential properties will continue to receive curbside recycling collection.

More Information for Non-Eligible Sources

Some Things Have Not Changed

Peterborough County continues to be responsible for the collection of organics, and yard waste, through their third-party contractor Emterra Environmental.
Selwyn Township continues to be responsible for managing the collection of garbage through their third-party contractor Waste Connections of Canada.

Who To Contact

For recycling collection, missed pick-ups or blue box requests, contact:

Emterra Group
Phone: 1-888-597-1541
Email: customercareont@emterra.ca

To discuss the new recycling program or provide feedback about service delivery, contact:

Circular Materials
Phone: 1-877-667-2626
Email: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca

For garbage collection, missed pick-ups, to discuss the garbage program or provide feedback about service delivery, contact:

Waste Connections of Canada
Phone: 705-742-4268
Complete the Online Form