New Initiative to Support Recycling for Local Businesses

A new proposal going before a London city committee on Monday aims to assist small businesses that lost curbside recycling services in January by offering them an alternative way to manage their recyclables.

The City Council’s Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee (ICSC) will evaluate a staff recommendation for a pilot project that would let qualifying businesses and non-profit organizations drop off recyclables at Enviro Depots without any fees.

“This was sprung on us pretty quickly. We’ve done our best to respond to an unforeseen problem that has arisen out of the provincial decision,” said Coun. Hadleigh Mc Alister, committee chair and Ward 1 councillor.

This change comes from a major update on January 1 to Ontario’s blue box program, which shifted responsibility from municipalities to the companies that create paper and packaging. Consequently, many businesses were removed from curbside pickup routes.

Some London businesses mentioned earlier this year that they were thinking about stopping recycling altogether because private collection services are too costly.

Ward 1 Coun. Hadleigh Mc Alister. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)

If approved, the pilot would allow around 2,100 small businesses and non-profits to use Enviro Depots free of charge until December 31, 2027. The proposal also includes expanding the green bin program to approximately 535 businesses already located on existing curbside routes.

Mc Alister said the plan aims to provide some relief.

“It’s not perfect, but the municipality is trying its best to find something that will work for those people who didn’t qualify [for recycling pick-up] under the new parameters.”

Businesses share their thoughts

Kara Rinjen, co-founder of Reimagine Co., a package-free takeout shop downtown, stated she has been handling recycling herself since the changes took effect.

“What I like about this proposal is that the city recognizes this has caused some extra strain on small business owners,” she said.

However, Rinjen pointed out her business is quite far from the nearest Enviro Depot, meaning she’ll likely keep mixing her business recycling with household pickup.

She mentioned she’d rather see a system where all businesses have to recycle or even return to municipal curbside service.

City staff estimate a full curbside program for those same 2,100 businesses would cost about $2.8 million each year and do not recommend pursuing that option. In comparison, the suggested Enviro Depot pilot is projected to cost between $100,000 and $300,000 annually.

Bakery manager Sammy Wardrop photographed inside the Whole Grain Hearth in Nov. 2025. (Kendra Seguin/)

Sammy Wardrop, bakery manager at Whole Grain Hearth, also raised concerns about how practical the drop-off model would be.

“It wouldn’t make sense for us to drive up there several times a week,” she said while adding that private collection costs too much.

She acknowledged though that businesses nearer depots might find it helpful.

Coun. Skylar Franke shared her understanding of worries regarding added labor and transportation but believes this program could still aid some businesses.

“Small businesses are in a really big affordability crunch right now,” she said. “I have heard from some who are willing to drop off their recycling; they just don’t want to pay the associated fees.”

The committee will discuss the proposal on April 20. If it gets approved there, it will go before full council for final approval on April 28.

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