Some concerns have been raised by London business owners and environmental advocates regarding the potential increase of recyclable materials ending up in landfills following modifications to the province’s recycling program. Starting on January 1, the responsibility for the Ontario Blue Box program transitioned from municipalities to the companies supplying paper and packaging to residents. Although there have been no alterations to residents’ recycling collection schedule or process, businesses are now no longer included in the weekly curbside pickup service.
Madheva Ellea, the proprietor of Rascals Kitchen in the Southcrest area, expressed his discomfort with the situation, mentioning that the accumulation of recyclables could negatively impact customer traffic at his restaurant. Ellea disclosed that his establishment recycles various items weekly, including alcohol bottles, drink containers, cooking oil cans, and approximately 10 to 15 flattened cardboard boxes.
In contrast to nearby residents having their bins emptied as usual, Ellea’s cardboard pile remained untouched, prompting concerns about maintaining a favorable appearance for customers. Previously, the City of London collected up to 10 bins of recyclables from businesses situated along residential routes on designated pickup days. However, under new provincial regulations, external company Circular Materials now solely handles residential waste collection.
Kevin Morrison, the executive director of the Old East Village BIA, reported receiving complaints from local business owners struggling with the recent changes. Many businesses lack the time and resources to transport large recyclables to an environmental facility or the financial means to hire an independent contractor, leading to some resorting to disposing of recyclables as trash.
The alterations have sparked apprehension among environmental organizations’ leaders, who believe that the changes hinder companies’ ability to prioritize environmental consciousness. They fear that the shift may result in recyclable materials being diverted to landfills, contrary to sustainability efforts.
Diane Szoller from the Thames Region Ecological Association expressed disappointment over some businesses opting to discard recyclable materials, emphasizing the importance of seeking innovative solutions to continue recycling practices. Meanwhile, at Reimagine Co., a package-free food takeout spot, co-owner Kara Rijnen shared her frustration at the additional burden of handling recyclables due to being excluded from the city’s green bin program.
Rijnen acknowledged the challenges faced by businesses in maintaining sustainability practices, recognizing that not everyone has the resources or time to prioritize waste reduction. Despite these obstacles, she emphasized the need for continued efforts towards environmental conservation.
Moreover, with the start of the new year, London residents can now add flexible plastic packaging, foam packaging, and various tubes to their blue bins for recycling, bringing about minor changes to the residential recycling program.