Several London business owners and environmental advocates express concerns over the potential increase in landfill-bound recyclable materials following modifications to the province’s recycling program. Effective January 1, the responsibility for the Ontario Blue Box program transitioned from municipalities to the suppliers of paper and packaging to residents. Although there are no alterations to the recycling pickup procedures or schedules for residents, businesses are now excluded from the weekly curbside collection service.
Madheva Ellea, the proprietor of Rascals Kitchen in the Southcrest neighborhood, voiced his unease, noting the inconvenience of having recycling bins prominently placed at his business entrance. Ellea emphasized that accumulating recyclables could deter customers, especially at a dining establishment like his. He disclosed that his restaurant disposes of alcohol bottles, drink containers, cooking oil cans, and around 10 to 15 flattened cardboard boxes weekly.
Despite neighboring residents having their bins emptied as usual, Ellea’s cardboard stack remained uncollected near his restaurant’s entrance. While his landlord explores alternative recycling pickup solutions, Ellea stressed the urgency of maintaining a tidy appearance to uphold customer satisfaction.
Previously, the City of London collected up to 10 bins of recyclables from businesses along residential routes on designated pickup days. However, under the new provincial regulations, the external company Circular Materials solely focuses on residential garbage pickup.
Kevin Morrison, the executive director of Old East Village BIA, reported receiving complaints from local business owners frustrated by the latest changes. Many businesses lacking the time or resources to transport large recyclables to depots or hire contractors are resorting to discarding recyclables as trash due to the increased burden.
Environmental advocates and industry leaders are apprehensive about the setback in sustainability resulting from businesses struggling to maintain environmentally conscious practices. Andrew Price, the green economy manager at the London Environmental Network, expressed disappointment over the potential increase in landfill waste due to businesses being left behind by the changes.
Diane Szoller from the Thames Region Ecological Association urged businesses not to abandon recycling efforts, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to sustain environmentally friendly practices. Kara Rijnen, co-owner of Reimagine Co., a package-free food takeout store, revealed her frustration with the exclusion from the green bin program, leading her to personally transport recyclables home.
Despite the challenges faced by businesses, London residents can now recycle additional materials in their blue bins, including flexible plastic packaging, foam packaging, and certain tubes. The expansion of acceptable materials in residential bins marks a positive change for residents’ recycling efforts amid the evolving landscape of waste management.