Council calls for improvements as recycling complaints mount

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Following widespread complaints from residents across the city, Council has unanimously approved a motion calling on Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) and its local recycling contractor, Emterra Environmental, to improve curbside recycling service and communication with residents.

The motion comes after months of missed pickups and delayed or unclear responses to service complaints following the transition to Ontario’s extended producer responsibility model. Under the Province’s Blue Box Regulation, responsibility for recycling shifted away from municipalities, with program administration in Kingston officially changing hands on July 1, 2025.

Around the horseshoe, councillors said they have repeatedly heard from residents frustrated by missed collections and confusion over who to contact when issues arise. Councillor Brandon Tozzo, who introduced the motion, emphasized that while the new system is here to stay, it must function reliably.

CMO CEO Allen Langdon told council the organization will send a direct mailer outlining how residents can report service issues, and committed to returning to council alongside Emterra representatives in the future.

Listen to the full story here.