Apartment and condo building owners in Simcoe County will see changes to their waste service funding starting in 2027, as the County of Simcoe Council has approved plans to end the recycling portion of the multi-residential waste subsidy. The decision, made during a meeting on May 12, 2026, aims to save the county at least $430,000 annually by shifting away from municipal-led funding models.
The updated policy affects properties with six or more residential units that currently rely on the county subsidy. While the recycling subsidy is being discontinued, building owners can still receive the garbage collection subsidy. However, to remain eligible for that support, property managers must ensure their buildings actively participate in both recycling and organics diversion programs.
This policy change follows the transition to Ontario’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework, which took full effect on January 1, 2026. Under this provincial shift, the responsibility for managing residential recycling costs has moved from municipalities to the producers of packaging and paper products, with services now managed by Circular Materials. Prior to this, provincial subsidies helped cover recycling costs, but with those ending, the county has also implemented a $200 per tonne disposal fee with a $10 minimum charge for recycling dropped off at county waste facilities, effective January 1, 2026.
In total, 8,353 units currently use the multi-residential waste subsidy across the region, including 3,502 units in Collingwood. County Warden Basil Clarke noted that while the regional government supports the move toward producer responsibility to encourage long-term waste reduction, the transition continues to present challenges for the local community regarding which properties remain eligible for various programs.
Property owners and managers are encouraged to review their current waste diversion practices to ensure their buildings stay in compliance with the new eligibility requirements heading into 2027.
