While Prince Edward County has entered a new era in recycling collection, local waste collection will stay the same for the next five years. And within budget.

Council has approved a five-year, $1.6 million annual tender to Environmental 360 Solutions. E360 currently has the existing weekly solid waste and organic collections and bested a bid by Miller Systems by over $1 million.

The bid comes within the proposed 2026 Budget for waste collection and, according to a report from Supervisor of Environmental Services and Sustainability Albert Paschkowiak, the 2026 unit rates will generate about $11,000 in savings over last year. 

“Savings are dependent upon the amount of waste generated remaining consistent with 2024,” Mr. Paschkowiak stated. “The contract allows for an annual increase of 85 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous year, consistent with the previous contract.”

End of the Blue Box era

In recycling news, Council earmarked $313,000 for a newly created reserve designated for Waste Diversion to help fund future waste diversion initiatives. The funds come from the dissolution of Quinte Waste Solutions.

The full amount was short lived, however, as Council soon lifted $97,000 from this fund alongside varying amounts from other reserves to offset an unexpected $390,000 increase to the OPP contract. The raiding of reserve funds enabled Council to pass the 2026 budget with the 3.6 percent tax increase approved in December.

The former Centre and South Hastings Waste Services Board created QWS to administer blue box collection and other hazardous-waste-related services. Responsibility for these services was transferred to the producers of recyclable material in July 2025, in accordance with Ontario’s Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act.

Mr. Paschkowiak explained a total of $1,563,000 remains with the Board until after resolution of all liabilities. The remainder will be disbursed proportionately among member municipalities.

Divestiture of assets, such as the QWS property in Quinte West, is expected to take place in 2026. Proceeds from the sales will also be disbursed to the Board member municipalities.