Blue Box for business ends July 17; changes to pick up day for some residents

Curbside recycling pick up for businesses – commercial institutional and industrial – stops as of July 17.

Prince Edward County has more than 600 ineligible sources that will no longer be picked up after the transition. The newly “ineligible” sources also include municipal buildings, daycares, places of worship, campgrounds and not-for-profit organizations. The change means these will be responsible for getting their own recycling to waste transfer stations.

The County’s waste sites are open Saturdays, and beginning June 18, Wellington, Sophiasburgh and Picton waste sites will also be open on Wednesdays for both garbage and recycling.

Council decided it would not assume responsibility and costs to continue collecting recycling from businesses. Some other municipalities already working under the transition changes have reported several of the ‘ineligible’ business owners in their downtowns are taking recycling home to add to their household collection, or choosing to stop recycling altogether. Municipalities are also reporting concern for more recycling in landfill, and more litter.

Changes are being made throughout the province. The Blue Box transition to industry paying full cost began in 2023 and is to be complete by the end of 2025. Previously, municipalities split the cost about 50-50. The intent was companies would be encouraged to reduce packaging and waste, but concern remains they will simply pass along the costs to consumers.

The province reports the economics of the Blue Box have become challenging and recycling rates have been stalled for 15 years, and now, up to 30 per cent of what is put in the Blue Box is being sent to landfill.

As a result of the transition, some County residents may see a change to their collection day. To further streamline the process, recycling and garbage pick-up will now occur on the same collection day. Click here to view the collection map to find your new collection day. 

Garbage and organics green bin collection will not be affected by this transition.

Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) will now be managing the blue box recycling program for residents of Prince Edward County. CMO has selected E360 Solutions to provide the collection service for County residents.