Full producer-pay recycling system, Circular Materials, in full swing for Guelph

The shift to a full producer-pay recycling system is in full swing for Guelph residents. 

Since. Jan. 1, the City of Guelph is no longer responsible for the collection of recyclable materials from blue carts. 

The task is now up to Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit collection of packing producers that develops, implements and supports effective and efficient recycling programs across Canada.

In June 2021, the Province of Ontario released the Blue Box Regulation to shift the financial and operational responsibility of recycling from municipalities to the organizations that produce packaging, paper and packaging–like products.

Circular Materials aims to represent the evolution to a more circular economy where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging.

City of Guelph solid waste division manager, Cameron Walsh, says things are going well so far, despite the odd transitional hiccup. 

“We do our best to communicate ahead of time and we have our customer service support that provides backup during the transition,” Walsh said. 

“We did see some initial higher call volumes which are tapering off.”

Ontario is in the midst of a three-year transition to extended producer responsibility which will be completed at the end of 2025. To date, over 200 communities in Ontario have successfully transitioned their recycling programs that now includes Guelph. 

“The transition in Guelph continues to progress in collaboration with the municipality and Waste Management, the service provider for recycling collection in Guelph,” said Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials. 

“We encourage residents to learn more about recycling in Guelph on our website at circularmaterials.ca/guelph.”

Between July 2023 and December 2025, the responsibility for Ontario’s Blue Box program will transition to producers across the province. To learn more, visit here.

Walsh says, like anything, there’s always a bit of a learning curve.

“The main thing we hear from residents is maybe a missed street or ‘my blue cart wasn't picked up’. We have a one window supporting system so they can call us or waste management and we can get them in touch with the right folks ,” Walsh said. 

“We’ve been doing that kind of work as waste management familiarizes itself with the route and the new staff familiarize themselves with the route too.”

Walsh says calls are being monitored and data is being collected and compiled. 

If residents do have a complaint, they can email [email protected] 

“We have been through one full cycle in January and now we are into our second in February. There’s more data to come. We’ll probably have a much better assessment available in then of how this is all working out,” Walsh said. 

“But right now, it is going very well and call volumes are dropping.”

Walsh says in 2026, there will be more items available to be recycled. 

“The list will be expanded. This is definitely moving towards a better system with the idea being that producers are responsible and accountable for the products they make,” he said. 

“That’s what drives innovation and reduction.”

Required under the Waste Free Ontario Act, the province-wide transitions are intended to promote a circular economy by making producers of packaging and products responsible for their products through the end of use.

Circular Materials is focused on building enhanced recycling systems and on ensuring more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefitting both people and the environment. 

According to the organization, extended producer responsibility enables innovation, operational efficiencies and increased standard levels for recycling programs. It is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms for improving recycling rates. 

As the transition continues across the province of Ontario, Langdon says residents will be able to recycle more packaging and paper products, keeping more materials in the economy and out of the environment. 

“For example, in the City of Toronto, Circular Materials is piloting hot and cold paper beverage cup recycling, the first step towards incorporating these materials in recycling systems across all municipalities in Ontario, including Guelph, by 2026,” Langdon said. 

“Together, we are advancing the circular economy and working towards a more circular future for people and planet.”