It’s not just the start of a new year; Thursday signals a significant shift in recycling collection in Windsor-Essex. January 1 marks the conclusion of Ontario’s three-year shift to extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper products. Instead of relying on municipalities to gather funds through their tax base to support this program, it will now be funded solely by companies that create recyclable waste, saving municipalities around $200 million. This new system is expected to simplify recycling, improve recovery rates, and promote a circular economy. According to Circular Materials, the extended producer responsibility model is recognized as one of the most effective ways to boost recycling rates, and shifting financial responsibility away from municipalities will enable them to allocate taxpayer dollars toward other community projects. Circular Materials, a non-profit organization, will take charge of managing the new recycling program where residents can place all recyclable items in one bin, eliminating the need for separate collection of paper, glass, and plastic. Ryse Solutions, Landbell Canada, and EnviroFocus Incorporated are set to be the new operators. “January 1, 2026, marks a major milestone and step forward for recycling in Ontario,” said Circular Materials CEO Allen Langdon. “Ontario residents will now be able to recycle more materials than ever before and recycle the same items no matter where they live across the province. By leaving the province and the planet better than we found it, we’ll create a sustainable legacy that benefits future generations,” he stated. The first day of recycling pickup in Windsor under this new system for each zone is as follows: * 3B – Friday, January 2 * 4B – Saturday, January 3 * 1A – Tuesday, January 6 * 2A – Wednesday, January 7 * 3A – Thursday, January 8 * 4A – Friday, January 9 * 1B – Tuesday, January 13 * 2B – Wednesday, January 14 The city recently switched to weekly organic waste collection and biweekly garbage pickup. Crews will collect recycling every other week. The new collection bins were distributed throughout the area earlier this fall; additional items like coffee cups, ice cream tubs, toothpaste tubes, deodorant containers, frozen juice boxes, and black plastic containers will also be accepted. Click here to see the full list of acceptable recyclables. This change represents the first time in Ontario that recycling will be consistent across the province so no matter where you live; you can recycle the same items.
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