Hamilton residents can now recycle black plastic and toothpaste tubes under Ontario’s new unified recycling rules, effective Thursday, as part of a province-wide program managed by Circular Materials.
Hamilton Residents Can Recycle More Materials
Hamilton residents can now recycle used toothpaste tubes and black plastic containers in the blue box. This change is due to Ontario’s new “unified material list,” which took effect on Thursday.
“Ontario residents will be able to recycle the same and even more materials at home no matter where they live across Ontario,” said Allen Langdon, chief executive officer of Circular Materials. This group was chosen by the Ontario government to manage the province’s recycling system. He shared this information in an email to CBC Hamilton on Tuesday.
Langdon added, “This new unified material list in Ontario will make it easier for residents to recycle, improving recovery rates and benefiting both people and the environment.”
About Circular Materials
Circular Materials was founded by 17 of Canada’s leading food, beverage, and consumer products manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers. This includes companies like Coca-Cola Canada, McDonald’s, and Loblaw Companies Limited, according to the company’s website.
In a recent interview with CBC’s Ottawa Morning, Langdon explained that these companies will report to Circular Materials every year. They will share the amount of packaging they supply into the marketplace and pay fees based on those amounts and types.
“There’s now an incentive to reduce because if they reduce the packaging, they’ll pay [fewer] fees and have [lower costs] for supporting the blue box program,” Langdon said.
Transition of Hamilton’s Recycling Program
Hamilton’s recycling program changed from the city’s responsibility to Circular Materials last April. This transition took three years and occurred in different parts of the province. It is now complete as of January 1, according to Langdon’s email.
“The unified material list and new materials included are a great example of how extended producer responsibility advances innovation and improves environmental outcomes,” he said.
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| New Items Recyclable | Used toothpaste tubes, black plastic containers |
| Effective Date | Thursday |
| CEO | Allen Langdon |
| Company | Circular Materials |
| Transition Completion | January 1 |
