Recycling pick-up delays continue in Midtown Toronto neighbourhood

Residents on Winnett Avenue say recycling scheduled for Jan. 2 went uncollected on one side of the street and later pick-ups were partial; the change comes after the province moved the program to Circular Materials and GFL. Local councillor Josh Matlow criticized the rollout while Premier Doug Ford defended the upload and said officials are meeting to resolve issues.

Residents on Winnett Avenue in Midtown Toronto say recycling that was scheduled for Jan. 2 was not collected on one side of the street and remained uncollected 11 days later. Neighbours reported a truck later collected bins on one side, and on another visit a worker took only a single resident's bin. The change follows the province transferring the recycling program to Circular Materials on Jan. 1 and contracting collection to GFL. Local councillor Josh Matlow criticized the way the rollout has been handled, while Premier Doug Ford said most residents have had collection and that officials are meeting to address problems. Key details: - One side of Winnett Avenue did not have recycling collected on Jan. 2 and residents say the issue persisted 11 days later. - Neighbours reported that a GFL truck later collected bins on one side of the street and that one recent visit resulted in a single resident's bin being taken. - Circular Materials assumed the provincial recycling program on Jan. 1 and contracted out collection to GFL. - The provincial revamp is described as intended to save Ontario municipalities about $200 million a year and to allow more materials to be recycled. - Councillor Josh Matlow has urged the province to fix the rollout or return the service to the city, and Premier Doug Ford defended the upload and said officials and contractors are meeting to resolve issues. Summary: The delays have left neighbourhood residents waiting and prompted public criticism of the program's implementation. Provincial officials and the contractor are reported to be meeting about the problems, and the premier said he expects issues to be resolved within a week or two.