Durham moves to support small businesses during Ontario’s recycling shift

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: Businesses in Durham can now drop off Blue Box recycling at Regional Waste Management Facilities (WMFs) without paying fees, a move designed to ease the transition to Ontario’s new producer-run recycling system.

The fee waiver was approved, as part of Durham’s 2026 Regional Budget, and is now in effect. Businesses which previously received municipal curbside Blue Box collection can bring dedicated loads, of recyclable materials only, to any Regional WMF, at no cost. Loads which include non-recyclable or otherwise chargeable materials are not eligible for the waiver.

Recyclables can be dropped off at the Brock Waste Management Facility, at C22480 Brock Sideroad #17, near Cannington; the Scugog Waste Management Facility, at 1623 Reach Street, in Port Perry; and the Oshawa Waste Management Facility, 1640 Ritson Rd. North, in Oshawa. Additional information on facilities and accepted materials is available, at durham.ca/WMF.

This update comes as Ontario’s Blue Box program shifts responsibility from municipalities to the companies which manufacture or import packaging and paper products, under a new Ontario Regulation in effect, as of January 1st. As a result, businesses are no longer eligible for municipal curbside Blue Box collection, and residential recycling is now overseen by Circular Materials, the organization selected by producers to manage the program. Durham Region no longer provides curbside recycling collection for businesses.

While the decision to end municipal curbside collection for businesses was made at the provincial level, Durham officials say, the fee waiver is a practical way to reduce the impact on local businesses, particularly smaller operations which now must transport recyclable materials themselves.

“This was not a change initiated by the Region, but it has very real consequences for our business community,” said Brock Mayor Mike Jubb. “Waiving these fees is one way we can support businesses, as they adapt, while continuing to advocate for their inclusion in future provincial program updates.”

For local business owners, the waiver offers meaningful cost relief, during a period of adjustment.

“Small businesses are already navigating rising costs, on all fronts,” said Lora Bellino, a Beaverton business owner. “Having the ability to drop off our Blue Box recycling, without an added fee, makes it easier to keep recycling as part of our daily operations.”

Durham Region says, it will continue advocating to the province on behalf of small businesses and rural communities as the producer-run system evolves. In the meantime, staff remind businesses, only loads consisting solely of recyclable materials qualify for the fee waiver.

Regional officials say, the measure reflects a balance between environmental responsibility and economic support, during a significant shift in how recycling is managed across Ontario.