Reduce, reuse and recycle right this holiday season
(compliments of Councillor Josh Matlow)
The City of Toronto is encouraging residents to be mindful of the amount of waste they generate over the holiday season and to look for opportunities to reduce and reuse.
The City manages approximately 900,000 tonnes (two billion pounds) of waste each year which requires money, energy and resources, and takes up valuable landfill space. Small changes can have a big impact. During the holiday season remember the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle right, and waste less with the following tips.
Reduce
- Consider low-waste gifts such as buying gift cards from local shops and restaurants or a charitable donation in a loved one’s name.
- Get creative and make gifts from materials that you have around the house.
- Say “no” to single-use items such as cutlery, plates and cups when ordering delivery and takeout.
- Plan meals ahead and store food correctly to reduce the amount of food waste.
Reuse
- Save gift bags, gift wrap, ribbons and bows to reuse year after year.
- Get crafty when wrapping by using reusable fabrics, newspapers, old cards and calendars.
- Shop online for quality second-hand options.
Recycle right
As more people turn to online shopping this season, it’s important to know how to properly sort items used for shipping. Reuse online packaging if possible and check how to dispose of items before placing them in the Blue Bin.
- Recycle flattened cardboard, paper gift wrap and rinse plastic plates and plastic cups before placing them in the Blue Bin.
- All mailer bags including those labelled as compostable go in the garbage.
- Bubble wrap, bubble envelopes, plastic strapping from boxes and packing peanuts go in the garbage.
- Dispose of foil/metallic wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and fruit crates in the garbage.
- Use the Green Bin (organics) for fruit and vegetable scraps, meat including bones, spoiled cakes and cookies.
Never put recycling in black bags or throw black plastics in the Blue Bin (recycling).
As a precaution in response to COVID-19, soiled paper napkins and tissues should be placed in the Garbage Bin and all garbage should be bagged.
For more tips and ideas on how to reduce waste this holiday season, watch for your 2021 waste management calendar in the mail or visit www.toronto.ca/reduce-reuse
Solid Waste Management – Policy for Accepting New Materials
Solid Waste Management Services was seeking feedback on a Draft Policy for Accepting New Materials into City of Toronto Waste Diversion Streams (e.g. Blue Bin recycling and Green Bin organics) in April, 2018. Visit the Waste Strategy website to read a copy of the draft policy, or view presentation slides and watch a recording of the March 21 public meeting about the new policy.
Contact: Robin Shyllit, Senior Public Consultation Coordinator, 416-392-3358, [email protected]
Final Report on City of Toronto Long Term Waste Management Strategy
The final Waste Strategy is now complete and was considered by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) at their meeting on Monday June 20, 2016 and City Council at their meeting of July 12-14, 2016.
The report can be viewed online including attachments with the Final Waste Strategy document and Public Consultation Report:
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2016.PW14.2
Final Waste Strategy Report notice June 13 2016
Final Long Term Waste Management Strategy
Draft Long Term Waste Management Strategy
A staff report on the Long Term Waste Management Strategy was presented to the City of Toronto’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 (third item on the agenda). Public Consultation took place in the Spring 2016.
SAHRA Information – Feb 27, 2016
Picking Up After your Pet
Compliments of Councillor Jaye Robinson
Residents are expressing concerns about improper disposal of dog waste. The following is a brief review of Solid Waste Management’s recommendations for disposing of dog waste properly.
- DO: Take a baggie with you to pick up dog waste.
- DO NOT: Throw dog waste baggies into bushes or trees, as plastic bags containing dog waste do not break down.
- DO: dispose of dog waste in your personal green bins.
- DO NOT: Leave dog waste on your neighbour’s property or in your neighbour’s garbage bins or yard waste bags.
Help keep our Neighbourhood clean and safe for all to enjoy!