Diversion, but at what cost? The economic challenges of recycling in Ontario

This study examines how changing the mix of materials accepted in Ontario's residential recycling program (Blue Box) affects provincial material management costs and recycling rates. Specifically, this study quantifies the impact of “non-core” material recycling on system costs and diversion levels (where non-core materials are defined as materials with high material management costs and low levels of recyclability). Using a systems based cost model, focus is placed on analyzing: (1) how has the generation of “non-core” materials changed in the past decade? (2) What would happen to provincial recycling costs and diversion levels if non-core materials were removed from the Blue Box program? (3) Is it possible to achieve the provinces' 70% recycling target if non-core materials were no longer being collected? The results of this analysis show that removing non-core materials from the Blue Box program significantly decreased system costs without negatively impacting overall recycling rates. This study also found that it was possible to increase the provincial recycling rate while simultaneously reducing program costs by targeting specific materials for recovery. The findings of this study suggest that Ontario reevaluate the types of material included in the residential Blue Box program.