Province to take over residential recycling collection in Simcoe County starting January 1, 2026

Midhurst/September 25, 2025: As part of a province-wide shift in how recycling services are delivered, residential recycling collection in Simcoe County will transition to the management of Circular Materials beginning January 1, 2026. This change is part of Ontario’s broader initiative to standardize and streamline recycling collection and processing across the province, shifting the responsibility for the collection and processing of recyclable materials from municipalities to producers.

"This transition marks a shift to a provincially directed recycling system, meaning the County will no longer be responsible for residential recycling collection,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “While we expect some challenges during the change, we’re committed to doing everything we can to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible for our residents.”

Under this new model, Circular Materials, which is a not-for-profit organization, will oversee recycling services for single family residential units. The County of Simcoe will continue to provide garbage and organics collection, as well as operate local waste drop-off facilities as usual.

While the County is working with Circular Materials to help make the transition simple for residents, there are a few updates worth noting:

• Same collection day, different trucks and collection times:
  • Your recycling will still be collected on the same day and using the same carts. The only difference is that it will be picked up by new trucks operated by Emterra, on behalf of Circular Materials. Garbage and organics will continue to be collected by Miller Waste trucks on behalf of the County. Collection schedules will remain the same, with garbage and recycling alternating weeks and organics collected weekly. Since these services will be handled by separate trucks from different contractors, collection of recycling and organics will occur at different times due to distinct routing schedules. As such, to ensure all materials are collected, please place your recycling, and organics at the curb by 7 a.m. (or 6 a.m. in some downtown cores) on your scheduled collection day. Collection will occur at different times throughout the day.
• New contact for recycling inquiries:
  • For questions related to recycling, such as collection schedules, missed pickups or cart repairs, please contact Emterra directly by phone at 1-888-597-1541 or by email customercareont@emterra.ca. Continue to use the Simcoe County Collects App or contact Service Simcoe for garbage and organics updates and information.
• New materials to be accepted:
  • Under the new recycling system, Ontarians will be able to recycle the same materials curbside province-wide, with additional items being added to the program that may not have been accepted before. Visit circularmaterials.ca/simcoe to view accepted materials.
• Waste drop-off facility changes:
  • Recycling drop-offs at County waste drop-off facilities will include a disposal fee as of January 1, 2026, as the County will no longer receive provincial funding to offset net recycling costs.
• Businesses and IC&I:
  • Discussions with the Province regarding recycling collection for small industrial, commercial, and institutional (IC&I) businesses under the new program are ongoing. We anticipate being able to share further updates on this decision later this fall.

This transition is part of Ontario’s move to shift responsibility for recycling to the producers of packaging and printed paper, aligning with extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. The County remains committed to delivering high-quality waste services where applicable and supporting residents through this transition. For more details, visit simcoe.ca/recyclingchange.

About the County of Simcoe

County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
Phone: 705-734-8386 (mobile)
Email: Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca 

Brandon Maron
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
Phone: 705-903-7882 (mobile) 
Email: Brandon.Maron@simcoe.ca 

Received via email by the Township of Severn from the County of Simcoe on September 25, 2025.