New provincial blue box program to save Region of Waterloo millions

The new province-wide blue box program is set to save the Region of Waterloo between two and six million dollars annually, but cities and townships in Waterloo region aren't expected to make the transition until 2024.

"That equates to $10 or $20 per household, based on the average property value in the region," Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman told CBC News. 

"This is an incredible next step in expanding the blue box program — which we all know, the birth place of that was Waterloo Region."

Ontario finalized its plans to expand recycling services across the province on June 3, which will make producers fully responsible for the blue box program and pay for it. Previously municipalities and producers split the cost of recycling 50-50. 

Under the new system, blue box programs would also be standardized, according to Ontario's Environment Minister Jeff Yurek. 

Right now, what people are allowed to put in blue bins differs from city to city, but the enhanced program will standardize across municipalities what people can put in their blue boxes. More communities would have access to recycling services as well.

For Waterloo region that should mean more items are eligible to be recycled, said Redman

"It's our understanding the types of materials collected in the blue box will continue to expand, as well we'll be looking at multi-residential units, industrial enterprises. It will also expand over time to include schools and public spaces, right across the province," said Redman.

Coming in 2024

The ministry's blue box transition schedule shows Waterloo region's cities and townships would make the transition on  March 2, 2024.

The City of Guelph is scheduled to make the transition Jan. 1, 2025, while Guelph-Eramosa and Wellington are expected to make the move July 1, 2025.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario asked communities when they would like the change to take effect,  according to the ministry, adding that the province will not assign an earlier transition date in order to reduce potential for breaking current municipal recycling or pickup contracts.