Item - 2026.IE29.3

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:  

1.Received the report (April 22, 2026) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services for information.

The purpose of this report is to respond to the direction received from City Council in November 2025 and the request from Infrastructure and Environment Committee in February 2026 with an update on the implementation of the Blue Box Program's transition to Extended Producer Responsibility from January to March 2026. While the initial transition to producers in January 2026 saw significant Blue Box Program service disruption, program operations have since been improving with fewer missed collections and resident calls to 311 Toronto.

The report also provides a strategy to minimize the risks associated with uncollected Blue Bins and recyclables going to landfill or becoming litter, including legal considerations, the use of waste audits for policy, promotion and education development, and continued dialogue with Circular Materials to maintain the best service outcomes for the City and its residents. Additionally, the report explores public space recycling and upcoming advocacy opportunities to support the goal of diverting waste from landfill.