Big changes are coming to recycling in Simcoe County.
Starting January 1st, 2026, residential recycling collection will no longer be managed by the County but instead handled by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization leading Ontario’s shift to a province-wide producer-led recycling system. The move is part of the province’s plan to standardize recycling services and place responsibility for collection and processing directly on producers.
“This transition marks a shift to a provincially directed recycling system, meaning the County will no longer be responsible for residential recycling collection,” says Warden Basil Clarke. “While we expect some challenges during the change, we’re committed to doing everything we can to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible for our residents.”
For households, recycling will still be collected on the same day and with the same carts, but new trucks operated by Emterra (on behalf of Circular Materials) will be doing the pickups. Garbage and organics collection will remain the responsibility of the County and handled by Miller Waste. Since different contractors will be collecting materials at different times, residents are asked to place recycling and organics at the curb by 7:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. in some downtown cores) on collection day.
Other key updates include new recycling materials being accepted province-wide, a disposal fee for recycling drop-offs at County waste facilities starting in 2026, and a new contact point for recycling-related questions. Residents with recycling inquiries should reach Emterra at 1-888-597-1541 or email customercareont@emterra.ca. Garbage and organics questions should continue to go through the Simcoe County Collects App or Service Simcoe.
The County says discussions are ongoing about how the new system will apply to small businesses and other organizations. For full details on the changes, including accepted materials, click here.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
- Rick.Sargent@LocalRadio.ca (Bolton)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
