‘We support producer responsibility, but the policy can’t abandon small businesses, religious or non-profit users in the process,’ says official
NEWS RELEASE
RESCUE LAKE SIMCOE COALITION
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The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition is urging members of provincial parliament in Simcoe County to seek immediate action from the province to prevent small businesses, places of worship, and community organizations from losing their recycling pickup starting January 1, 2026. In an open letter sent today, Jonathan Scott, the coalition’s executive director, pointed out that while the provincial producer-responsibility framework is well intended, it has left many small industrial, commercial, and institutional properties behind. “This change means hundreds of small businesses and community groups will suddenly find their blue boxes left at the curb come January,” said Scott, who also serves as a councillor in Bradford West Gwillimbury. “We support producer responsibility, but the policy can’t abandon small businesses, religious or non-profit users in the process. That’s a step backwards, which will lead to increased pollution in our lake and rivers.” Due to exclusions under Ontario Regulation 391/21, Simcoe County and its local municipalities have had no choice but to stop collection for these smaller entities. The coalition warns that this will lead to confusion, higher costs, and likely more waste going to landfills – all things that could be avoided with some minor adjustments from the province. “The solution is simple and achievable,” Scott added. “The province should include small businesses and community organizations in producer-responsibility contracts; they generate the same amount of recycling as households. With one provincial fix, we can avoid a recycling crisis that hurts both our environment and our main streets.” The coalition expressed gratitude towards Simcoe County council and local municipalities for sounding the alarm and continuing to advocate for strong waste-diversion programs. They are urging the province to act swiftly so that recycling access can be maintained throughout the Lake Simcoe watershed. *************************
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RESCUE LAKE SIMCOE COALITION
*************************
The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition is urging members of provincial parliament in Simcoe County to seek immediate action from the province to prevent small businesses, places of worship, and community organizations from losing their recycling pickup starting January 1, 2026. In an open letter sent today, Jonathan Scott, the coalition’s executive director, pointed out that while the provincial producer-responsibility framework is well intended, it has left many small industrial, commercial, and institutional properties behind. “This change means hundreds of small businesses and community groups will suddenly find their blue boxes left at the curb come January,” said Scott, who also serves as a councillor in Bradford West Gwillimbury. “We support producer responsibility, but the policy can’t abandon small businesses, religious or non-profit users in the process. That’s a step backwards, which will lead to increased pollution in our lake and rivers.” Due to exclusions under Ontario Regulation 391/21, Simcoe County and its local municipalities have had no choice but to stop collection for these smaller entities. The coalition warns that this will lead to confusion, higher costs, and likely more waste going to landfills – all things that could be avoided with some minor adjustments from the province. “The solution is simple and achievable,” Scott added. “The province should include small businesses and community organizations in producer-responsibility contracts; they generate the same amount of recycling as households. With one provincial fix, we can avoid a recycling crisis that hurts both our environment and our main streets.” The coalition expressed gratitude towards Simcoe County council and local municipalities for sounding the alarm and continuing to advocate for strong waste-diversion programs. They are urging the province to act swiftly so that recycling access can be maintained throughout the Lake Simcoe watershed. *************************
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