Two new facilities to process 30 percent of Ontario’s household recyclables
Along with an expanded list of accepted items, the new facilities can each process 160,000 metric tonnes of materials annually
As of the beginning of 2026, households across Ontario will benefit from a new producer-funded, province-wide recycling program that makes it easier to recycle more materials. WM is supporting this enhanced system with two new processing facilities, which are now open and have begun operations in Cambridge and the Greater Napanee area.
What's improved with the new recycling system?
With capacity to support the processing of approximately 30 percent of Ontario's total blue box volumes, these facilities have a critical role in helping to optimize the province's new recycling system. These new sites will help streamline processes, particularly as Circular Materials rolls out a new unified material list across the province which expands the number of items that can be recycled. Now Ontarians, no matter where they live in the province, can recycle the same items, including hot and cold beverage cups (coffee cups), black plastic containers, frozen juice containers, ice cream tubs, toothpaste tubes, deodorant, and more. A unified and enhanced system will help make it easier for residents to recycle more materials, improving recovery rates.
Each site has created approximately 40 local jobs, for a total of more than 80 positions across both facilities. These sites are equipped with advanced material separation technologies, including optical sorters, artificial intelligence, and robotics. These advancements help to streamline processes, increase accuracy and efficiency, and enable a strong focus on innovation, safety, and material quality that supports a more circular future.
The facilities are designed to increase overall recycling capacity and support Ontario's expanded material list. Advanced sorting technologies allow scanners, analysers and optical sorters to communicate with one another and with technicians, helping improve material quality and system functionality. Each facility is capable of processing up to 160,000 metric tonnes of material per year and features 19 optical sorters, including units with AI integration, contributing to the modernization of Ontario's recycling processing infrastructure.
"These facilities reflect the strong partnerships driving Ontario's transition to extended producer responsibility and the momentum building across the province's recycling system. Collaboration with WM, along with producers and other recycling partners, is essential to strengthening our systems and supporting a more circular future for all Ontarians," stated Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials.
"Investing in Ontario's recycling infrastructure allows WM to support the province's recycling system today and over the long term," said Tracy Black, president, WM Canada.
