London businesses report challenges after province-wide recycling pickup ends

Some London businesses say they are stopping or changing recycling practices after Ontario shifted Blue Box responsibility to producers on Jan. 1 and removed businesses from weekly curbside collection.

Some London business owners and local environmental groups say they are concerned that more recyclable material will end up in landfill after a change to Ontario's recycling program. On Jan. 1 the province moved responsibility for the Blue Box program from municipalities to the companies that supply paper and packaging. Residents' curbside recycling schedules did not change, but businesses are no longer included in weekly curbside pickup. Several business owners and neighbourhood leaders reported difficulties finding affordable or practical alternatives for collecting large or frequent volumes of recyclables. Key facts: - Responsibility for Ontario's Blue Box program shifted to producers on Jan. 1. - Businesses were excluded from weekly curbside recycling pickup, while residential service continued unchanged. - Some local businesses reported piling cardboard outside, taking recyclables home, or discarding recyclables because of time and cost barriers. - Local environmental groups expressed concern that removed access to curbside pickup may increase the amount of recyclable material going to landfill. Summary: Local business owners and environmental advocates say the change has created practical challenges for shops that relied on residential-route collection and for those without resources to arrange private pickup. Undetermined at this time.