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A proposal heading to a London city committee on Monday aims to help small businesses that lost curbside recycling in January by giving them a new way to deal with recyclables themselves.
City Council’s Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee (ICSC) will consider a staff recommendation to develop a pilot project to allow qualifying businesses and non-profit organizations to drop off recyclables at EnviroDepots free of charge.
“This was sprung on us pretty quickly. We’ve done our best to respond to an unforeseen problem that has arisen out of the provincial decision,” said Coun. Hadleigh McAlister, committee chair and Ward 1 councillor.
The change stems from a Jan. 1 overhaul of Ontario’s blue box program, which shifted responsibility from municipalities to the companies that produce paper and packaging. As a result, many businesses were removed from curbside pickup routes.
Some London businesses told CBC News earlier this year they were considering giving up recycling altogether, saying private collection services are too expensive.
Ward 1 Coun. Hadleigh McAlister. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)
If approved, the pilot would allow about 2,100 small businesses and non-profits to use EnviroDepots at no cost until Dec. 31, 2027. The proposal also calls for expanding the green bin program to roughly 535 businesses already located on existing curbside routes.
McAlister said the plan is meant to offer at least some relief.
“It’s not perfect, but the municipality is trying its best to find something that will work for those people who didn’t qualify [for recycling pick-up] under the new parameters.”
Businesses share their thoughts
Kara Rinjen, co-founder of Reimagine Co., a package-free takeout shop downtown, said she has been managing recycling herself since the changes took effect.
“What I like about this proposal is that the city recognizes this has caused some extra strain on small business owners,” she said.
However, Rinjen noted her business is far from the nearest EnviroDepot, meaning she will likely continue combining business recycling with her household pickup.
She said she would prefer to see a system requiring all businesses to recycle, or even a return to municipal curbside service.
City staff estimate a full curbside program for those same 2,100 businesses would cost about $2.8 million annually, and do not recommend pursuing that option. By comparison, the proposed EnviroDepot pilot is expected to cost between $100,000 and $300,000 per year.
Bakery manager Sammy Wardrop photographed inside the Whole Grain Hearth in Nov. 2025. (Kendra Seguin/CBC News)
Sammy Wardrop, bakery manager at Whole Grain Hearth, also questioned the practicality of the drop-off model.
“It wouldn’t make sense for us to drive up there several times a week,” she said, adding that private collection is too costly.
She acknowledged, however, that businesses located closer to depots may benefit.
Coun. Skylar Franke said she understands concerns about added labour and transportation, but believes the program could still help some businesses.
“Small businesses are in a really big affordability crunch right now,” she said. “I have heard from some who are willing to drop off their recycling, they just don’t want to pay the associated fees.”
The proposal will be debated at the committee on April 20. If approved, it will go to full council for a final decision on April 28.