Hamilton extends blue box program deadline for non-eligible businesses until end of year

The motion to extend the deadline for city-operated recycling pick-up for local non-eligible businesses was passed Friday at Hamilton’s General Issues Committee meeting.

This means local business owners that would have been tasked with covering their own expenses when it comes to recycling, now have until the end of the year until that begins.

This issue has been a big topic of discussion among local business owners, who would be tasked with covering their own expenses when it comes to recycling, starting as early as the end of March.

When the province made amendments to its blue box program in 2021, it shifted the responsibility of recycling operations from cities to producers; it also required producers to provide sufficient promotion and education to the public.

Despite this, some business owners in Hamilton still feel blindsided.

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“I don’t know what we’re going to do because we are just a small business. I don’t know how we’re going to be able to add the added expense to all this,” says Lorena Rallis of Steve’s Open Kitchen.

The change meant the list of materials recyclable from households was expanded, but also that many small businesses became ineligible for city-funded recycling pick-up.

Municipalities across Ontario gradually began making changes in July 2023, with the operation of Hamilton’s recycling system under the management of Circular Materials since April of last year.

The deadline to end services for non-eligible businesses was extended to March of this year to give them time to adjust.

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“We’re just a very tiny business, we’re not a corporation. So I don’t know where we are going to find the extra money when we’re already scrounging with everything else that is happening,” says Rallis.

“I don’t really know what’s going to happen. I wish someone would’ve told us or made us aware.”

Later Friday morning, Hamilton Councillor Cameron Kroetsch will ask for another extension.

He is asking the city to continue its blue box services for non-eligible properties until the end of the year — and assume the estimated cost of $2.1 million for the duration, which would come from the city’s tax stabilization reserve.

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Kroetsch is also asking for the city to develop a robust plan to assist these businesses in successfully transitioning to private services by 2027.

The City of Hamilton uses its tax stabilization reserve for things like covering unforeseen expenses, funding pilot programs and offsetting revenue shortfalls. Its use requires approval of council.

Coun. Kroestch may be the one putting the motion forward but many other local councillors have also criticized the province-wide change but say their hands are tied.

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