The rollout of the new recycling system in Ottawa has faced challenges, according to some residents and city officials. Issues such as conflicting pickup schedules, uncollected bins, and overwhelmed customer service lines have been reported following the takeover of recycling collection by Miller Waste Systems on January 1.
Miller Waste Systems operates under a contract with Circular Materials, the organization selected by the Ontario government to oversee the province’s recycling program. This initiative, backed by leading Canadian food, beverage, and consumer goods companies, has shifted the financial responsibility for recycling collection to the private sector, thereby reducing the burden on Ottawa taxpayers for this service.
While there have been positive reports of residents being able to recycle more materials, some initial confusion arose due to discrepancies between pickup dates provided by Circular Materials and those set by the City of Ottawa. A technical issue with Circular Materials’ app was identified as the root cause, prompting the company to advise residents to verify their pickup details on its website.
Despite efforts to address these challenges, residents like Gary Rusyn in Kanata experienced issues with missed collections and poor communication. The surge in inquiries led to an overload of calls, with over 600 calls redirected from the city’s 311 line to Miller Waste and Circular Materials within the first week of the new system’s launch.
Circular Materials clarified that replacement bins remain free of charge for residents, contrary to initial miscommunications. The company assured residents that standard recycling bins are preferred but non-standard containers would be accepted as long as they meet safety requirements and weight restrictions.
Moving forward, Circular Materials aims to collaborate with the city to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the familiar pickup schedules for residents. The recycling process continues to be managed by Miller Waste Systems, with recyclables still being sent to the Cascades Recovery+ plant in Ottawa’s east end.
Despite the initial challenges, city officials like Councillor Matt Luloff are optimistic that the issues will be resolved, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and coordination between all parties involved in the new recycling system.