Simcoe County is pressing the Ontario government for a fix after new provincial recycling rules left about 2,100 locations without curbside pickup as of Jan. 1.

Under the new Blue Box Regulation, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, the cost and operation of recycling collection shifted from municipalities to the producers of paper and packaging materials. As part of that shift, industrial, commercial and institutional properties — a category that includes businesses, churches, food banks and municipal offices — no longer receive curbside recycling collection, OrilliaMatters reported.

County councillors are now weighing what, if anything, they can do about the gap. Note: the county does not manage waste collection in Barrie and Orillia, which are separated cities.

A push to keep trucks rolling

New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross raised the issue at Tuesday's committee of the whole meeting, suggesting the county might be able to use recycling trucks it contracts from Miller Waste to keep collecting downtown.

"Is there a way we may be able to use these trucks, or contract these trucks to pick up the recycling in the urban areas of the downtown cores… so that we can ensure they receive the same level of service while we are waiting for the province to do something?" Norcross said during the meeting.

He said downtown business owners and non-profits in his municipality are struggling with the change, and suggested starting with business improvement areas and downtown cores.

But Rob McCullough, the county's director of solid waste management, told council the idea was studied late last year and the estimated cost was more than six to seven times what the county currently pays. Council at that time decided not to pursue it, he said, and staff would need more direction — including whether every affected location in the county would be included — before preparing a new report.

Vouchers, advocacy and frustration

Tay Township Mayor Ted Walker suggested a voucher system for affected organizations, such as legions and food banks, so they wouldn't face tipping fees when dropping recycling at the landfill. Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor James Leduc said he wants a report covering all IC&I locations that previously had county collection, noting many have no room for bins.

Essa Township has already written to Premier Doug Ford and Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson about the changes and has not received a response, Mayor Sandie Macdonald said.

Warden Basil Clarke, who is also mayor of Ramara Township, said continuing service would come at a considerable cost, and voiced frustration with the province's shift to producer responsibility.

It's very disappointing,

Clarke said, noting the county was previously a top performer in recycling at low cost to taxpayers.

Tiny Township Mayor David Evans said the county should frame any report as part of a broader push for provincial action, calling the situation a problem "hoisted" onto municipalities.

"To just walk away from an existing recycling source and just say 'too bad, so sad' and 'find your own way to get rid of this stuff' is unacceptable," Evans said.