Emterra will take over residential collection, while industrial, commercial and institutional properties face end of county-run curbside service

NEWS RELEASE

COUNTY OF SIMCOE

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Simcoe County residents and businesses are reminded that changes to recycling services will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, as part of Ontario’s province-wide transition to extended producer responsibility.

What’s changing?


Residential recycling: For residents who have received recycling collection from the county in the past, collection will continue on your regular day using existing carts. The only difference will be that recycling will start being collected by Emterra on behalf of Circular Materials. Pickup times may differ from garbage and organics. For more details on changes coming to residents, visit simcoe.ca/recyclingchange.
Businesses and institutions: Businesses and institutions will no longer receive curbside recycling collection. Recycling carts placed at the curb will likely not be picked up, and those wishing to remove their carts can contact the county directly. While garbage and organics collection will continue as usual, recycling must still be separated from garbage and disposed of properly. Recycling must be dropped off at county waste facilities or managed through private collection. For more details on changes coming to businesses, visit simcoe.ca/recyclingforbusiness.
Recycling drop-off: Residents and businesses can continue to bring recycling to county waste drop-off facilities; however, new tipping fees will apply starting Jan. 1. Learn more details by clicking here.

Simcoe County, along with many other municipalities, strongly advocated for the continued curbside recycling collection of small industrial, commercial and institutional properties. Despite this advocacy, the province confirmed through formal notification in October 2025 from the minister of the environment, conservation and parks that Circular Materials would not be able to accommodate this direction. The minister’s letter outlining this decision can be viewed here.

Please note: Due to recent weather impacts, the county will resume missed recycling and garbage collections on Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3, only in areas where missed collections are known to the county and where conditions have improved enough to allow for safe collection.

For any issues regarding recycling collection after Jan. 1, such as missed collections or problems with bins, please contact Emterra directly at 1-888-597-1541 or [email protected]. The county will continue to collect garbage and organics as usual.

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