Toronto's new recycling system faces a rocky rollout

City officials say responsibility for curbside recycling now lies with Circular Materials (CM) and CM contracted GFL Environmental for collection in Toronto; residents have reported missed pickups and limited customer-service hours.

Toronto has moved to a privatized, producer-run recycling system and residents have raised questions about how the change is working. City officials, including Mayor Olivia Chow, have said the city no longer controls the curbside program and have directed questions to Circular Materials (CM), the non-profit funded by producers. CM has contracted different companies to handle collection across Ontario, and in Toronto the contract went to GFL Environmental. Since the recent handover, readers and officials have reported missed collections, confusion over accepted materials and limited availability of customer support. Key current facts: - Officials' statement: The City of Toronto says it no longer controls curbside recycling and has directed service issues and inquiries to Circular Materials (CM). - Operational status: CM contracted GFL Environmental to collect recycling in Toronto, and residents and building managers have reported missed pickups and service disruptions since the handover. - Customer service: CM has said its support line operates weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and that after-hours messages are handled the next business day, with urgent matters prioritized. - Regulatory and depot changes: Ontario's rules direct alcohol containers to the provincial Deposit Return Program, and the city says household recycling is no longer accepted at municipal drop-off depots. Summary: The shift to a producer-managed recycling model has left residents facing missed pickups, questions about materials and limited customer-service hours, and city leaders have urged CM to improve service. Undetermined at this time.