Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the upcoming changes to recycling for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) properties in Kawartha Lakes.

Below you'll find more information on what's changing, why it's changing and how it will impact you and your business or company.

The municipality would like to help with the transition. Please take the survey below to help us plan and understand your ICI properties needs. Your feedback will help shape future recycling solutions for local businesses.

The Ontario government has introduced new legislation called the Blue Box Regulation (Ontario Regulation 391/21). As of April 1, 2024, the municipality no longer provides curbside recycling pickup for residents because of this change.

Starting January 1, 2026, recycling pickup will also stop for businesses and properties in the following categories:

• Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) properties
• Mixed-use properties (both residential and commercial)
• Non-profit organizations

ICI properties are not included in the new provincial regulation. The municipality is concerned about the impact this will have on small businesses and non-profits. We’ve shared these concerns with the Province, but we don’t expect any changes to the regulation at this time.

Since collecting recycling from ICI properties is not required by law, and without the ability to combine it with residential collection, it would be very expensive for the municipality to offer the service on its own.

These changes only apply to recycling. Garbage collection will continue as usual.

The clear bag program and the limits on how much recycling can go in the garbage will stay in place, even after ICI recycling stops.

We know this change may affect how your business manages its waste. Moving forward, each business will be responsible for arranging its own recycling collection. The municipality is exploring ways to help make this easier, including:

1. Working with nearby municipalities on a joint plan to collect and process recycling from ICI properties.
2. Supporting a joint private collection contract if there’s enough interest from local businesses.
3. Issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to learn about companies that may offer private recycling services to businesses. We could then share that information with businesses that are interested.

What is considered an Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional (ICI) property?

An Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional (ICI) property is any property not designated as residential according to Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) codes. However, under the new regulation, elementary and secondary schools, as well as non-profit long-term care facilities will continue to be eligible for recycling services.

ICI properties that are not eligible for the blue box collection and recycling service provided by producers include, but are not limited to the following:

• All private sector businesses (including Downtown core businesses)
• Place of worship
• Daycares
• Campgrounds (without households)
• Public facing and internal areas of municipal buildings/facilities (e.g., libraries, arenas)
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Commercial farms

I own/manage an apartment building; will this change impact my collection services?

Blue Box materials from the residential portion of a mixed-use property will be collected on the designated residential collection day. Apartment buildings that are currently receiving curbside collection will continue to receive curbside recycling collection through Circular Materials.

How does this affect my business?

Garbage collection services will continue to be provided to all ICI properties currently participating in the curbside program however, starting on January 1, 2026, in accordance with the waste By-Law 2024-235, the existing curbside recycling collection service will end for all ICI properties. If you are impacted by these changes you should receive a letter from the City.

We appreciate your commitment to environmental stewardship and encourage you to continue to recycle materials and divert from the waste stream. As per our By-Law 2024-235 waste will require to be sorted with less than 10% recycling contamination in waste placed at the curb.

The City is actively exploring options to support businesses as the ICI properties will need to arrange for private recycling collection services. Currently the City is exploring the potential for collaborating with adjacent municipalities through a joint procurement process for the collection and processing of non-eligible blue box materials.

Why are ICI properties considered ineligible by the Province?

Waste collection (i.e., waste and recycling) from ICI locations has never been mandated for municipalities in Ontario. When it made economic sense, this service was an added value to further support our communities. However, under the new regulations, ICI properties are not considered eligible for recycling services, and without the economies of scale afforded by the residential curbside program it is no longer feasible for the municipality to support.

What are my options for disposing of the recycling generated from my business starting January 1, 2026?

Non-eligible properties can choose to contract a private contractor to collect the recycling. The properties’ occupants, owners, or managers can make private arrangements to collect and process their recycling. There are service providers and local businesses that have been preparing for this transition and are ready to offer their services.

We are actively exploring options for businesses so we encourage you to participate in our survey to express your interest in joint procurement opportunities or your preference to find your own service provider.

How is The City of Kawartha Lakes helping businesses during this transition?

The City of Kawartha Lakes acknowledges the concerns regarding the exclusion of ICI Blue Box materials from the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model. Here is how the City of Kawartha Lakes is assisting with the transition:

• Advocacy and Support: The City sent a letter (January 6, 2025) to Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to advocate for solutions for managing ICI sector materials. Requesting that amendments be made to Ontario Regulation 391/21: Blue Box to make producers responsible for the end-of-life management of recycling products from all sources.
• Council carried a resolution CR2025-023 that staff continue to explore alternatives to support the provision of services such as a joint procurement with adjacent municipalities and municipal support for a private procurement process.
• Staff have created a survey to gather information from businesses to determine how the City can support business in this transition.

You can always connect with your local MPP. If you are part of an industry organization, ask your board of directors for support by writing to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Will The City of Kawartha Lakes still collect garbage?

The City will continue to provide curbside garbage collection to areas that can meet the set-out requirements of By-Law 2024-235. Garbage collection is not impacted by this new regulation and remains unchanged.

Why are we transitioning to the Blue Box Program?

The Ontario Government has made legislated changes to the Blue Box Regulation to expand participation in recycling programs by providing clearer and more comprehensive recycling guidelines across the province. This regulation promotes a more circular economy, where materials are collected, recycled, and reused to create new products and packaging. These changes aim to reduce overall waste, divert waste from landfills, and mitigate impacts on the environment.

Learn more: www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/210391

What is Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a system where producers of Blue Box material, like Coca-Cola, Amazon, Walmart, etc., are responsible for the entire lifecycle of material that they produce. Currently, municipalities cover half of the cost of collection and processing of recyclable materials. Under EPR, producers are logistically and financially accountable for their product packaging from production to disposal, helping to reduce waste and promote recycling.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is an approach that shifts away from the traditional make-use-dispose model towards a system that promotes recycling and reuse. It aims to extend the lifecycle of a products, minimize the use of raw materials, maximize the lifespan of materials and resources, and reduce waste and packaging. This system helps create a sustainable cycle where materials are continuously reused and repurposed, reducing environmental impact.

Learn more: www.circularmaterials.ca