Blue Box Transition

PDF DT Letter Version

Supporting Downtown Businesses 

with Continued Recycling Service Options

February 2025

Hello Downtown Business Owner,

The County of Wellington Solid Waste Services (SWS) Division is reaching out to let you know about changes coming to the blue box recyclables collection programme that will affect businesses.

We are contacting you to help answer questions you may have about the upcoming changes and provide important directions on disposal options that will be made available to your downtown business. 

Background

In June of 2021, new regulations passed by the Ontario government brought into effect what is commonly referred to as the Blue Box Transition (BBT).  This change means a shift in funding and administration of recycling programmes throughout Ontario.  Responsibility for recycling programmes are transferring from municipalities to producers of printed paper and packaging (PPP) and producer responsibility organizations (PROs). 

While provisions have been set out in the new regulation for residential blue box materials to continue to be collected, there is no obligation for producers to provide service to industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors.

Options

Recognizing the importance to provide continuity of service to local businesses, Wellington County Council decided to adopt a motion to continue providing recycling services for businesses at no cost.

Curbside collection will be offered to businesses in 14 identified downtown areas across the County. These areas include Elora, Fergus, Mount Forest, Arthur, Clifford, Harriston, Palmerston, Moorefield, Drayton, Hillsburgh, Erin, Rockwood, Aberfoyle, and Morriston.

Additionally, businesses across the County may opt to register for a minimum fee exemption card allowing them to drop off accepted recyclable materials at any one of our six (6) County waste facilities at no charge.  However, please note that regular fees will apply to all non-blue box items.

How to receive curbside recycling collection and/or receive an exemption card

To be eligible to continue receiving recycling collection (in the 14 identified downtown areas) and/or receive an exemption card you need to register your business.  We encourage businesses to register early in order to facilitate a smooth transition to the new recycling system July 1, 2025.

Visit www.wellington.ca/bbtransition or scan the QR code to be brought to the online registration form and the printable version. 

You may also choose to download a printable form from our webpage, fill it in and mail to:         

Engineering Services, SWS Division

74 Woolwich Street

Guelph, ON  N1H 3T9

Changes to collection days, method, set out times and location

Recycling carts in downtown areas will be collected on a weekly basis. Collection will occur on Thursdays throughout Wellington County, regardless of the regular collection day for other waste materials.

64-gallon wheeled carts will be delivered to businesses starting in May, at no charge (max 2 carts).

Carts are single stream, with all acceptable materials being placed together in a single cart, including cardboard. Please keep materials loose to allow for easy tipping out.

Collection will begin at 6:00 a.m. in order to collect all downtown areas in one day. 

Routes may change at any time, so carts need to be set out prior to 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays.

Carts need to be placed at the curb in front of business locations.

Carts need to be placed side by side, spaced three (3) feet apart, three (3) feet away from any other objects. Lid opening should face the roadway, and wheels toward building.

Carts should not be blocked by vehicles, objects, or property.

Residential units located on business properties

Residential units located in/at/on business property locations will continue to receive recycling collection, however the residential programme is a separate service that will be provided by Circular Materials under the Provincial regulations. Residents are not permitted to use the downtown business recycling programme and vice versa.

Interested in learning more about Blue Box Transition in the Province of Ontario?

Please visit www.circularmaterials.ca/producer-province/ontario/ 

Other resources

Visit our website for current and updated information as it becomes available

www.wellington.ca/bbtransition

Who to contact if materials are not collected, and for additional information

Please continue to contact the SWS Division if materials are not collected.

Email: wasteinfo@wellington.ca        

Phone: 519.837.2601 / 1.886.899.0248

Your Solid Waste Services Team

There are no planned changes to other collection programmes. 

Solid Waste Services will continue to be responsible for looking after residential garbage, organics green bin and seasonal leaf and yard waste collection programmes. Additionally, SWS will be rolling out new programmes that offer recycling options for Wellington County businesses.