Ford’s blue box blunder has high costs for Ontarians

October 29, 2026

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy released the following statement responding to the government’s proposal to overhaul the Blue Box system.

“The Ford government has dug itself into a deep hole it can’t claw its way out of when it comes to managing Ontario’s waste. 

Because of its failure to fix our recycling system, we’re seeing half of non-alcoholic beverage containers end up in landfills, waterways and parks. 

Now, this government is planning further recycling clawbacks to send even more waste to landfills. 

Ontarians will be the ones to pay the price as the government scrambles to find somewhere for all this garbage to go. Right now, it plans to force landfills and toxic garbage incinerators into communities without their consent and to lob waste-management costs onto small businesses and municipalities.

Ontario’s waste crisis wouldn’t be nearly as urgent if this government had properly managed the program to begin with and followed the lead of almost every other province by implementing a deposit-return program. 

We don’t need fewer opportunities to recycle. We need to strengthen our system so less waste ends up in landfills.

Ontario Greens call on the Ford government to set ambitious recycling targets for the Blue Box program, halt plans to force landfills and incineration facilities on to communities and develop a waste management strategy that actually supports sovereignty, sustainability and affordability including a deposit-return program.”

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