Northumberland County is providing an update to residents to help clarify recent questions related to Ontario’s transition to Producer Responsibility for recycling, and the role of Circular Materials Ontario (CMO).
For Northumberland residents, there is currently no change to how recycling is collected. Blue Box and Grey Box recycling continues on the same schedule, using the same bins and set-out practices. The only difference is that more items are now accepted in the recycling program:
Blue Box
· Styrofoam
· Coffee pods – rinsed
· Toothpaste and beauty care tubes
· Takeout cups and lids
· Deodorant sticks
Grey Box
· Chip bags
· Wrappers
· Stand-up pouches
· Pet food bags
Northumberland County continues to maintain responsibility for garbage and green bin collection and management.
“This change is largely administrative and is designed to be seamless for residents,” says County Associate Director of Public Works Operations Adam McCue.
“Collection days, bins, and how materials are set out remain the same. The key difference is that recycling is now funded and managed through Circular Materials Ontario, while Northumberland County continues to collect garbage and green bin materials and support residents locally.”
Why this change?
January 1, 2026, marks the completion of a three-year, province-wide process to transition responsibility for funding and managing recycling programs from municipalities and First Nations to producers of packaging and paper products.
As part of this process, Northumberland County transitioned to Producer Responsibility at the beginning of 2024. At that time, the County was contracted by CMO to continue managing curbside collection until the end of 2025, to coincide with the full provincial rollout.
The Province of Ontario has indicated that, under Producer Responsibility, Ontarians will experience the same or improved access to recycling services across the province.
About Circular Materials Ontario
CMO is a national not-for-profit organization managing Ontario’s new common recycling system on behalf of producers of packaging and paper products.
Northumberland County continues to work with CMO to ensure recycling materials are accepted free of charge at County Community Recycling Centres (CRC).
Free Exchange Program Ended
The free exchange program ended December 2025. You can purchase new bins on our website, www.millerwaste.ca for $15.00 each. Bottom of the page- Residential– recycle bins. Delivery is available for an additional fee, or you can choose to pick them up from our Northumberland location at 292 Big Apple Drive, Colborne ON. Our facility is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Questions?
· For questions or concerns about matters related to recycling, including collection, bins, and other matters, please contact CMO’s collection contractor Miller Waste Systems by email: Area8@millerwaste.ca or by phone: 1-888-852-4723.
· For questions or concerns about matters related to garbage and green bins, including bag tags, CRCs, and other matters, please contact Northumberland County Waste Services at 1-866-293-8379.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
