It’s not just the start of a new year; Thursday marks a major change in recycling collection in Windsor-Essex.
January 1 signals the end of Ontario’s three-year shift to extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper products. Instead of municipalities being responsible for collecting funds through their tax base to support the program, companies that create recyclable waste will now cover these costs, saving municipalities around $200-million.
This new system is expected to simplify recycling, enhance recovery rates, and promote a circular economy. Circular Materials states that this extended producer responsibility model is one of the best ways to boost recycling rates, and moving financial responsibility away from municipalities will let them use taxpayer money for other local projects.
Circular Materials, which is a not-for-profit group, will manage the new recycling program where residents can put all recyclable materials into one bin, eliminating the need for separate collections of paper, glass, and plastic. The new operators include Ryse Solutions, Landbell Canada, and Enviro Focus Incorporated.
“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 will leave a sustainable legacy that benefits generations to come,” he said.
The first day of recycling pickup in Windsor under the new system in 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 pickup and biweekly garbage collection. Crews will pick up recycling every other week.
The new collection bins were distributed across the region earlier this fall. More items like coffee cups, ice cream tubs, toothpaste tubes, deodorant containers, frozen juice containers, and black plastic containers will now be accepted.
Click here to see the full list of acceptable recyclables.
This change represents the first time in Ontario that recycling rules will be consistent across the entire province so everyone can recycle the same items regardless of where they live.
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