Ontario businesses are being left out of curbside recycling, putting sustainability and local economies at risk.  

Background:
Under Ontario Regulation 391/21:  

• Blue Box producers are only responsible for recycling from eligible sources (e.g., residences, schools, long-term care and retirement facilities).  
• ‘Ineligible sources’ such as businesses, places of worship, daycares, campgrounds, public-facing municipal spaces, and non-profit organizations are excluded from producer responsibility.  

This regulatory and program structure forces municipalities to either:  

• Absorb 100% of the cost of recycling for these ‘ineligible’ sources through a separate and inefficient collection program, or  
• Discontinue recycling services to these vital community spaces and businesses.

Our Position:

We believe this regulation is unfair and places an undue burden on our local government and taxpayers. Many local businesses rely on accessible, affordable recycling services and should not be excluded from producer accountability programs.  

We call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:  

1. 
   1. Amend Ontario Regulation 391/21 so that producers pick up all recycling materials (from both eligible and non-eligible sources).  
   2. Alternatively, direct or encourage producers and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) to allow for the commingled co-collection of recyclables from eligible and non-eligible sources within the same service streams. This is an efficient and cost-effective option for all.

We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to amend Ontario Regulation 391/21 so that producers pick up all recycling materials (from both eligible and non-eligible sources), or direct or encourage producers and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) to allow for the commingled co-collection of recyclables from eligible and non-eligible sources within the same service streams.