US tariffs in effect: Secure your waste budget today

How will tariffs impact your waste management costs?

U.S. tariffs are essentially import taxes that cast a long shadow over North American prices. Now that these measures are in effect, your waste management expenses are squarely in their path. Understanding how is crucial for proactive budgeting.

Why tariffs mean higher waste costs for your business

Higher waste bills = Inflationary pressures hit waste services

Tariffs contribute to overall inflation. Waste management companies, like all businesses, face higher costs for essential operational components: trucks, specialized sorting equipment, and processing facilities. Crucially, according to The Globe and Mail, fuel costs are expected to be among the first to rise significantly. Provinces like Ontario and Quebec could see prices at the pump jump quickly because a large portion of refined oil is imported from the U.S. A rise in fuel costs by as much as 10% is anticipated, which will directly impact waste collection fleets. To maintain service levels amidst rising expenses, waste management providers will inevitably pass these increased fuel and equipment costs on to you in the form of higher service prices.

Recession risk = Budget cuts & pressure on essential services

Tariffs significantly increase the risk of a Canadian recession. Economic downturns mean tighter budgets across all sectors, including yours. Some economists warn that if broad-based tariffs remain in place for 6–9 months, Canada could enter a recession lasting around a year. While waste management is an essential service that cannot be eliminated, businesses can mitigate the impact of a recession through:

• Proactive waste reduction: Implementing strategies to minimize waste generation at the source.
• Optimized recycling programs: Ensuring maximum efficiency and participation in recycling initiatives to reduce landfill costs.
• Negotiating favorable contracts: Securing the best possible terms with waste service providers and locking in today’s rates for the future
• Exploring alternative solutions: Investigating options like composting and waste-to-energy programs where feasible.

Evirum can help you implement all of these strategies.

Waste company costs = Your increased fees & cross-border challenges

Approximately 3 million tons of Ontario’s solid waste are disposed of in Michigan each year. Canadian waste management companies – especially in Ontario – often rely on U.S. landfill capacity and specialized equipment across the border. Michigan’s current landfill tipping fees are low (around $0.36 per ton), which has made exporting waste south an economical choice. However, proposed increases to $5.00 per ton in Michigan would dramatically impact Ontario businesses by raising disposal costs more than tenfold. Even Quebec-based companies that primarily manage waste within the province (using local landfills like Lachenaie near Montreal) will feel tariff-driven cost increases for equipment, fuel, or any cross-border transport. These increased costs for waste companies will directly translate to higher service fees for your business, regardless of your location.

Unreliable waste services: Supply chain disruptions & regulatory risks

Tariffs disrupt essential supply chains. Waste companies may face delays or increased costs in acquiring and maintaining specialized equipment, or in accessing recycling markets (many of which involve international trade). For example, many types of waste and recycling equipment are imported; some recycling machinery and truck parts  rely on components from China. New tariffs (25% on Canadian steel/aluminum and 10% on Chinese goods) can raise the price of these parts, complicating repairs and purchases. Heightened U.S. political rhetoric includes proposals to restrict waste imports from Canada, adding regulatory uncertainty to cross-border waste flows. These disruptions can lead to:

• Unreliable waste collection schedules.
• Delays in equipment maintenance at processing facilities.
• Higher, less predictable waste service costs.

Costlier recycling programs: Undermining sustainability initiatives

Tariffs on materials like steel, aluminum scrap, plastic resins, paper, and pulp directly increase the cost and complexity of recycling. These materials are integral to both the recycling process and the equipment used. As of mid-March, for example, the U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum products, which raises costs for recycling equipment and decreases the market value of recyclable metals. Maintaining or expanding your company’s recycling and sustainability programs becomes significantly more challenging and expensive under these conditions. The economic viability of various recycling streams can be undermined, forcing budget re-evaluations and potential scaling back of sustainability efforts. A weakening Canadian dollar, resulting from tariff-induced trade uncertainty, will further increase the cost of buying anything priced in U.S. dollars – including waste equipment and services that depend on U.S. materials.

Budgeting chaos: Currency fluctuations & economic instability

Trade uncertainty is weakening the Canadian dollar and contributing to economic volatility, which complicates long-term planning. A softer loonie makes goods and services priced in USD more expensive for Canadian buyers – and that includes many elements of your waste management operations. Canada’s retaliatory tariff package, while intended to protect Canadian industries, also contributes to trade tensions. The unstable currency values and rapidly changing trade rules make financial forecasting extremely difficult. This creates unpredictable and potentially unmanageable budgeting for your waste management expenses, making long-term cost planning nearly impossible without expert guidance. Even if tariffs end up being short-lived, their effects on supply chains and pricing can linger for months, adding chaos to your budgeting process.

Evirum: Your action plan for tariff-proof waste management and cost control

Don’t wait for tariffs to further impact your bottom line. Prepare now, even as these trade changes take effect. Evirum offers a clear, effective, and sustainability-focused plan to protect your business and control costs:

Waste cost analysis and tariff risk mapping

We conduct a detailed analysis of your current waste streams and service contracts, pinpointing exactly how potential tariffs and economic shifts could impact your specific waste budget. Evirum provides data-driven clarity and a precise understanding of your tariff-related financial risks in waste management. Understand your waste tariff risk – precisely and urgently.

Rapid waste efficiency and cost saving audits

Evirum's waste management experts conduct rapid efficiency audits of your current waste processes, identifying immediate, actionable opportunities to drastically reduce waste generation and boost recycling rates. If you’re not recycling today, this is your chance to immediately start diverting recyclables from your waste stream, generating savings and protecting yourself from future price increases. We can help you lock in a favorable recycling rate before prices go up. Get rapid, real waste cost relief – starting now.

Optimized waste service contracts

Evirum leverages deep industry expertise to ensure you secure the best, most cost-effective waste service contracts possible, even in volatile and uncertain markets. We analyze your current contracts, identify areas for optimization, and help you build more resilient and secure waste service agreements to mitigate tariff-driven price fluctuations. Guarantee truly cost-effective and reliable waste services – even with tariffs in play.

Dedicated waste management partnership

Evirum is your committed waste management partner. We help Canadian businesses maintain operations, control costs, and hit their sustainability targets in any conditions. Our team stays on top of industry developments – from policy changes to price shifts – so you don’t have to go it alone.

Act now: Secure your waste budget against tariff impacts with Evirum

Don’t let tariff disruptions derail your business operations or sustainability goals. Now is a critical time to act decisively. Evirum is uniquely ready to partner with Ontario and Quebec businesses to urgently analyze your waste management operations, aggressively optimize waste-related efficiency, and build a more predictable, cost-controlled approach to your essential waste management needs. With the right strategy in place, you can weather these tariffs and emerge with your budget intact and your waste goals on track.

Sources:

• RBC Thought Leadership, Quick Read: What tariffs could mean for the U.S. economy: https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/quick-reid-what-tariffs-could-mean-for-the-u-s-economy/
• The Globe and Mail, If tariffs do come for Canada, here's what would get expensive first: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/article-if-tariffs-do-come-for-canada-heres-what-would-get-expensive-first/
• Waste Dive, Recycling, waste groups voice concerns over proposed tariffs' business impacts: https://www.wastedive.com/news/recycling-waste-groups-concerned-over-proposed-tariffs-nwra-rema/739159/
• Bridge Michigan, Michigan is No. 1 for trash, but Whitmer wants higher fees to curb imports: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-no-1-trash-whitmer-wants-higher-fees-curb-imports
• Department of Finance Canada – Backgrounder: List of products from the U.S. subject to 25% tariffs effective March 4, 2025: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/list-of-products-from-the-united-states-subject-to-25-per-cent-tariffs-effective-march-4-2025.html