Paper coffee cups, toothpaste tubs, ice cream tubs, black plastic and frozen juice containers will all be recyclable across Ontario starting in January 2026.Under the province’s extended producer responsibility program, producer responsibilityorganization (PRO) Circular Materials is introducing a unified materials list that will be collected for all residents.These enhancements to recycling across Ontario as came the province fully transitions to a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) blue box recycling system. Under EPR, Ontario’s new recycling program will be fully funded and operated by producers of packaging and paper products. EPR is recognized as an effective mechanism to improve recycling rates.Last year, in preparation for EPR, Circular Materials announced a pilot for the recycling of both hot andcold paper-based and plastic-lined beverage cups at home and other eligible locations in Toronto. This pilot marked the first step towards incorporating these materials in recycling systems across all cities and communities in Ontario by 2026.Early results from the pilot show an eight percent increase in collected polycoated paperboard, the material used to make most single-use coffee and other beverage cups. This material is sent to end markets where they are recycled and repurposed into new paper products.Thanks to the pilot, starting January 1, 2026, Ontario residents will be able to recycle coffee cups and other hot and cold paper-based and plastic-lined beverage cups province wide.Circular Materials will be introducing a unified material list across Ontario. “Currently, materials collected for recycling across Ontario vary from community to community – starting January 1, 2026, Ontario residents will be able to recycle the same and even more materials no matter where they live across Ontario. This will make it easier for residents to recycle, improving recovery rates and benefitting both people and the environment,” said Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials.“The unified material list and new materials included are a great example of how extended producer responsibility advances innovation and improves environmental outcomes.”Circular Materials will be communicating more to Ontario residents about the province’s new recycling system with province-wide communications campaign in the fall. (ICE TORONTO)

Fonte notizia: https://wasterecyclingmag.ca/