Kingston Council wants Circular Materials and Emterra to address recycling headaches

A motion was passed to have the two companies take immediate steps.

Kingston City Council are demanding answers to the ongoing problems with the collection of recyclable materials.

Last July 1, the Province shifted the responsibility of the collection from municipalities, including Kingston, to the producers that create the materials.

The move was seen as a way to make it more uniform where each and every recyclable item will be accepted in every municipality.

While households can put out more items in their blue boxes, the collection of those items remain a bit of a hassle.

Cllr Brandon Tozzo says it's been frustrating experience for residents.

City Council passed a motion on Tuesday put forward by Tozzo that calls on Circular Materials Ontario and Emterra Environmental, the company hired to do the collection for CMO, take immediate steps to ensure reliable curbside collection and adequate communication with residents.

Tozzo says issues like this did not happen when municipalities looked after recycling. 

Earlier in the meeting, there was a delegation by Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. 

He told Council that there were a number of factors that contributed to the delays and missed pick-ups.

Langdon says they have been working with contractors and municipalities to ensure residents receive timely information.

Story by Ken Hashizume