TERRACE BAY — There’s a new organization taking care of recycling in Terrace Bay.
Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) – a not-for-profit producer responsibility organization with headquarters in Toronto – is set to take over management of Terrace Bay’s blue box recycling program as of July 1.
In a statement provided to Dougall Media, Allen Langdon, chief executive officer of Circular Materials, said the change has been in the works since June 2021 when the province released its “blue box regulation,” which shifted financial and operational responsibility of recycling to the producers of packaging, paper and packaging-like products.
Langdon said the new regulation is compliant with the idea of ‘extended producer responsibility’ (EPR), encouraging companies to design more sustainable and recyclable products along with ecologically-mindful manufacturing processes.
“This transition to EPR is taking place between 2023 and 2025, with full EPR implementation across Ontario starting January 1, 2026,” Langdon wrote.
“This will be a seamless transition for residents and will not impact residents’ current recycling collection frequency or accepted materials.”
In other words, there will be no changes to residents’ current recycling schedule or what kinds of items can be recycled.
In a Facebook post, the township noted that GFL Environmental Inc. will be in-charge of curbside recycling pickup.
Langdon shared that Circular Materials have also designed an app which residents can download to their phones to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“To support awareness and education for residents in Terrace Bay, Circular Materials will be launching a recycling app in Terrace Bay as an easy and convenient tool for residents to learn what materials go in their recycling bin, find their recycling collection schedule, receive service alerts and more,” he wrote.
Residents are encouraged to download the Circular Materials app by visiting circularmaterials.ca/app or the App Store and Google Play.