EMBRUN – Ontario will transition to an enhanced recycling system effective Jan. 1, 2026. As a result, the Township of Russell will no longer manage any recycling. Ontarians will be able to recycle the same materials at the curb no matter where they are across the province and be able to recycle more materials than ever before! This new system follows Ontario’s two-and-a-half-year transition to an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for blue box materials.
What will this transition mean for residents?
- You will have the ability to recycle more materials through an improved, Ontario wide recycling system.
- There is a standardized list of materials to make recycling consistent throughout the province. (More detail on this below)
- The focus is on a circular economy, where materials are collected, recycled and used again as recycled content in new packaging and products.
- There will be a new recycling app launching in 2026, making it easier to check collection schedules, receive service alerts, see what materials are accepted and more!
Right now, each Ontario community accepts different materials for recycling in different ways. Because of the changes being implemented in 2026, recycling will become even simpler! Here’s what’s changing:
- Recycle anywhere: No matter where you are in the province – home, on vacation, or just passing through – you’ll be able to recycle the same materials. Plus, you’ll be able to recycle even more materials in your curbside recycling.
- Recycle more: Here are examples of some of the new materials accepted as of Jan. 1, 2026.
- Black plastic containers.
- Hot and cold beverage cups (coffee cups).
- Frozen juice containers.
- Ice cream tubs.
- Deodorant and toothpaste tubes.
If you have questions regarding the recycling program or are new to the area and need recycling bins, you can contact Miller Waste at area2@MillerWaste.ca or call 1-888-852-2374. You can also view www.circularmaterials.ca/russell for more information.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
