Recycling bins too big? There are options – for a cost

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In a letter to the editor published in the Times on Nov. 21, Ken Dodd called the recently distributed 360 litre recycling carts “ginormous” and “wrong on many levels.”

He wasn’t alone. Across social media, Stratford residents have expressed concerns over the size – particularly for seniors or those with mobility issues or are otherwise unable to properly move them or lack the space to properly store them.

The recycling carts are part of an ongoing overhaul to local recycling systems. Per provincial legislation, and starting on Jan. 1, 2026, the companies that make or import products will take full responsibility for collecting, managing and recycling their materials, rather than the municipality, through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) recycling system. Circular Materials is the administrator for the EPR and Emterra is the local contractor collecting recycling from the curb – and who provided the new recycling carts.

On Nov. 24, Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach said that she likewise received numerous comments about the one-size-fits-all bins and has been in discussion with both Circular Materials and Emterra about the concerns. She confirmed that the program will be accepting two smaller sizes: a 65 gallon, medium-sized option, and a 35 gallon, small-sized option.

“The downside to this announcement is that they have said they will be taking back the large bin from anybody who would like to have a smaller bin, but they will not be providing those small bins,” Burbach explained. “So if someone would like a small and medium size cart, they will have to purchase it themselves and make sure that they fit the criteria for the collecting.”

In a unanimous vote, council made a motion to entreat Circular Materials, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy and Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae to provide funding for those additional sizes, so that Stratford residents don’t pay out of pocket. As both Burbach and director of infrastructure services Taylor Crinklaw stated, other municipalities have had those other bins provided at the cost of the administrator.

Additionally, Burbach told the Times after the meeting that she hopes they will be provided to residents directly. As of now, she is not aware of any major box store carrying those specific sized blue bins.