What Goes in the Blue Bin (Recycling)? - City of Toronto

Ask the Waste Wizard to find out where and how to properly dispose of an item. The Benefits of Recycling The Importance of Recycling Right Bad things happen ... Skiptocontent WhatGoesintheBlueBin(Recycling)? Share SharetoFacebook SharetoTwitter SharetoPinterest SharetoLinkedIn Print Askthe WasteWizard tofindoutwhereandhowtoproperlydisposeofanitem. TheBenefitsofRecycling   TheImportanceofRecyclingRight BadthingshappenwhenthewrongitemsareplacedintheBlueBin.HowBad?Badenoughthatitcandamageequipment,causeworkplaceinjuriesattherecyclingfacilityandruinotherwiseperfectlygoodrecyclables.ContaminatedrecyclingiscurrentlycostingtheCitymillionsannually.Approximately30percentofwhatisputintheBlueBindoesn’tbelongthere. GeneralRecyclingInstructions Putitemsinlooseandnotbagged.Useaclearplasticbagonlyifnecessary. Preparecontainersin3easysteps: emptyfood,liquidsorothercontents rinsetoremoveanyresidue placelid/capon(includingsprayersandpumps) Placeallblackand/orcompostableplastic(e.g.foodcontainers,bags,cutlery)inthegarbage. Flexiblemulti-layeredpackaging(e.g.stand-uppouches)andplastic-linedpaper (e.g.instantoatmealpacks)gointhegarbage.Tocheckifpaperislinedwithplastic,ripitslowly.Ifyouseeanyplasticlining,theitemgoesinthegarbage. Separateplasticbags/over-wrapfromnewspapers,flyers,magazines,water/softdrinkcases.Recycleseparately. Putshreddedpaperinaclearplasticbag. Putpiecesofpaperthesizeofabusinesscardorsmallerinanenvelopeoraddtoclearbagofshreddedpaper. Putfoampiecessmallerthan10cm(4″)x10cm(4″)inthegarbage. Notallitemswitharecyclingsymbol  areacceptedinToronto’sBlueBinrecyclingprogram. Ifunsureaboutwhetherornotanitemcanberecycled,checkWasteWizard. ItemsAcceptedintheBlueBin(Recycling) FiveItemsThatAlwaysGoinRecycling   Glass Bottles,jars(lidson) RigidPlastics Foodjars,tubs(lidson) Clearfoodcontainers/clamshells(e.g.fromberries,mixedgreens) Disposableplates,cups Beveragebottles(lidson) Detergent,soap,shampoobottles(lids/sprayers/pumpson) ClearCD/DVDcases(empty;blackcasesaregarbage) Note:allblackand/orcompostableplasticgoesinthegarbage. Soft,StretchyPlastics Grocery/retailshoppingbags Produce/bulkfoodbags Breadbags(non-foil) Milkbags(outerbag,rinsedinnerpouches) Sandwichbags(includingresealable) Frozenfruit/vegetablebags(nostand-uppouches) Over-wrap(e.g.fromtoiletpaper,napkins,papertowels,water/softdrinkcases) Newspaper/flyer/magazinebags(separatepaperfrombag,recycleseparately) Drycleaningbags Diaper/femininehygieneouterbags Gardensoil/manure/compost/roadsaltbags Note:removeproductbeforerecycling. Metal Aluminum/steelfood&beveragecans Aluminumtrays,burnerliners,pieplates,roastingpans Cookietins Aerosolcans(empty;lidson) Paintcans(empty;removelidsandrecycleseparately)   Paper* Bags(withoutwaxorplasticlining/coating) Advertisingmail,finepaper,envelopes Newspapers,flyers,directories,magazines,catalogues(removeover-wrap,recycleseparately) Giftwrap,tissuepaper,cards(noribbons,bows,foilwrap) Shreddedpaper(putinclearplasticbag,tieclosed) Soft/hardcoverbooks *Placepiecessmallerthanabusinesscardinenvelopeoraddtobagofshreddedpaper.   PaperContainers Cartonsandboxes(e.g.fromjuice,milk,soup;strawsaregarbage) Spiralwoundcans(e.g.fromchips,nuts,frozenjuice–placemetalendincanandpinchclosed;pull-offstripsaregarbage) Cardboard Boxboard(e.g.fromcereal,tissue,detergent,shoe;removeliners,flatten,nofreezerboxes) Corrugatedcardboard(unwaxed,flattened;pizzaboxesmustbeempty;removeover-wrapfromwater/softdrinkcases,recycleseparately) Rolls(e.g.fromtoiletpaper,papertowel,wrappingpaper)  FoamPolystyrene Foamfoodandprotectivepackaging(e.g.plates,cups,eggcartons,takeoutcontainers,meat/fishtrays;plasticwrap&absorbentpadaregarbage) Protectivepackaging(e.g.fromshipping,electronics;foampackagingpeanutsaregarbage) Note:Food/drinkpackagingmustbeemptyandrinsed(otherwise,placeingarbage).Blackfoamitemsandpiecessmallerthan10cm(4″)x10cm(4″)gointhegarbage).   ItemsNotAcceptedintheBlueBin(Recycling) Medical,HomeHealthcare&PersonalProtectiveEquipmentWaste NeedlesandsyringesareHouseholdHazardousWaste. Placethefollowinginsidetwoplasticbagsandtheninthegarbage: Disposablemasks,gloves,gowns,pads Soileddressing,sponges,gauze Catheters&colostomybags IVbags&tubing Dialysiswaste HouseholdHazardousWaste Householdhazardouswasteitemssuchaspropane/heliumtanks,batteries,compactfluorescentlightbulbs,pesticides,paint,etc. mustneverbeputinrecyclingorgarbage. TaketoaDrop-OffDepotorforamountsbetween10to50litres/kilograms,bookafreeToxicTaxipickuponlineorbycalling311. PlasticPackaging Anyitemsthatareblack,includingtakeoutcontainers,bags,planttraysandflowerpots Anyitemsthatarelabelledormarketedascompostableorbiodegradable,includingbags,containers,cutlery Stand-upresealablepouchbags Linerbags(e.g.fromcereal,cookies,crackers) Wrappingaroundpre-packagedfoodslikemeatandcheese Foodwrap(i.e.Clingwrap) Bubblewrap Squeezetubesforhomeandpersonalproducts(e.g.fromtoothpaste,lotion) Paintcans OtherPlastic Straws Clotheshangers Binders Toys Cassettes,CDs,DVDs Glass Drinkingglasses,dishes,cups,crystal Ceramics,pottery Windowglass Lightbulbs Mirrors Pots,pans Metal Tools,scrapmetal,autoparts Clotheshangers Pots,pans Smallappliances(e.g.kettles,toasters,hairdryer) Electronics Aluminum Foilfoodwrap,potatochipbags Blisterpacks(e.g.fromgum,pills) Metallicgiftwrapandbows Textiles Clothes,shoes Carpets,curtains Bedding PaperProducts Tissues,napkins,papertowels Beveragecups Frozenfoodboxes(theyhavealiningorcoating) Waxedcardboard Anypaperwithwaxorplasticliningorcoating OtherItems Cables,hoses,ropes Wood(e.g.fruitcrates,chopsticks) Renovationwaste(mustbetakentoaDrop-OffDepot) WhyWeCan’tTakeCertainItemsintheBlueBin CommonRecyclingMistakes Foodandorganicwaste Foodscrapslikeapplecores,eggshellsorexpiredleftoversbelonginyourGreenBin.WhenyoumistakenlytossfoodscrapsinyourBlueBin,foodresidueandparticlesgetsoakedupbypaperandcanruinlargebatchesofotherwisegoodrecyclables. Containerswithleftoverfood PleaseemptyandrinsefoodcontainersbeforetossingtheminyourBlueBin.Whenyoudon’t,theresiduefromitemslikejarsandtake-outcontainersgetssoakedupbypaperandcanruinlargebatchesofotherwisegoodrecyclables.PutanyfoodscrapsinyourGreenBin. Clothingandtextiles Oldclothes,shoes,blankets,andcurtainsdon’tbelongintheBlueBin.Theycangetcaughtinsortingmachines,damageequipmentandcauseworkplaceinjuriesattherecyclingfacility.Instead,donateitemsthatareingoodconditiontonot-for-profitagenciesordropthemoffforreuseatCommunityEnvironmentDays.Ifyouritemscan’tbedonated,puttheminthegarbage. Hotbeveragecups Mostdisposablehotbeveragecupsaremadeofpaper,butlinedwithplastic,whichmakesthemdifficulttosortmechanicallyattherecyclingfacility.Conventionalpapermillsdonotwantcoffeecupsbecauseoftheirlow-qualitypaperandinnerliner,whichdoesnotpulpeasilyandcausesclogginginthepulpingprocess.Thedyesinthepapercanalsoaffectthequalityoftheendpaperproductandmakeitdifficultforpapermillstoturncupsintootherpaper-basedproducts.Asaresult,theCityhasnotbeenabletofindastablemarket(i.e.buyers)forcoffeecups. Pleaseplacecoffeecupsinthe garbage.Non-blackplasticlidsandpapersleevesshouldberemovedandplacedinthe BlueBin. Blackplastic Blackplasticofanykind,suchastake-outcontainersandblackgarbagebags,isnotacceptedintheCity’srecyclingprogram.Therearetwomainreasonsforthis: thereisnostablemarketforthevolumeofblackplasticgeneratedinToronto blackplasticcannotbesortedmechanicallyattherecyclingfacilitybecausetheopticalsortingtechnologycannotrecognizeit. Pleasedisposeofallblackplasticinthe garbage. VHStapes,chains,hosesandelectricalcords ThesedonotgoinyourBlueBin.Theycangettangledinsortingmachines,damageequipmentandcauseworkplaceinjuriesattherecyclingfacility.DonateunwantedVHStapesorseeifyourlocalelectronicsstore’shasarecyclingprogram.Throwunwantedcords,hosesandcablesinyourgarbage.   ImportantReminderAboutCoffeePods TheCitydoesnotacceptcoffeepodsinitsBlueBinrecyclingprogram.Allcoffeepods,includingthosethatarelabelledormarketedasrecyclable,mustbedisposedofinthegarbageorreturnedtoretailers/manufacturerswhohavetake-backprograms. TheCitycommissionedresearchrelatedtodisposalofsingle-servecoffeeandteapods.ThefindingsincludefeedbackfromTorontoresidentsaboutuse,attitudesanddisposalbehaviours ImportantInformationAboutCompostableandBiodegradableItems TheCitydoesnotacceptthefollowingitemsmarketedorlabelledascompostableorbiodegradableinitsBlueBinrecyclingprogram: containers/packaging coffeepods coffeecups bags cutlery Theseitems,whichmaybemadeoforlinedwithabio-basedplastic,mustbedisposedofinthegarbage.Alternatively,productscanbereturnedtoretailers/manufacturerswhohavetake-backprograms. WhytheCitydoesn’taccepttheseitemsintheBlueBin Compostableandbiodegradableplasticsarenotrecyclable,astheyaremadeofmaterialsthataremeanttobreakdownversusmaterialsthatcanbemadeintosomethingnew.Oncerecyclablesarecollectedandsorted,theyarebaledandsoldtopartiallyoffsetthecostofcollectingandseparatingrecycling.Attherecyclingfacility,compostableandbiodegradableplasticsgetmixedwithconventionalplastics.Whenthishappens,itlowersthequalityoftheplasticbalesmakingthemlessvaluableandmoredifficulttosell. WhatHappenstoRecycling? RecyclingiscollectedfromthecurborabuildingandbroughttooneoftheCity’sTransferStations.Fromthere,itisloadedontotractor-trailersandbroughttoaMaterialRecoveryFacilityinTorontoownedbyGreenForLifeEnvironmentalInc.,whichtheCitycontractstoprocessitsrecycling. OnceattheMaterialRecoveryFacility,therecyclingismanuallyandmechanicallysorted–usingaseriesofbeltsandconveyors,screens,magnets,opticalsortingandAIsystems–intothedifferenttypesofmaterials,suchasplastics,paper,aluminumandglass.Thedifferenttypesofmaterialsarethenbaledandsoldtore-processors/marketstobemadeintosomethingnew. ThemoneythattheCitygetsfromthesaleofrecyclablesisonlyenoughtopartiallyoffsetthecosttoruntherecyclingprogram.Changestoglobalrecyclingmarketsoverthelastcoupleofyearshaveresultedinanoversupplyofrecyclingmaterial,withfewermarketswhereitcanbesold.WhiletheCitywasaffectedbythis,itisstillabletofindmarketstotakeToronto’srecyclingandmakeitintosomethingnew,itisjustreceivinglessrevenueforit. ManyofthestatisticsbeingquotedaboutrecyclinginCanadarefertorecyclingratesacrossallsectors:residentialandnon-residentialincludingtheindustrial,commercialandinstitutionalsector.It’simportanttonotethatresidentialrecyclingratesaretypicallymuchhigherthanthoseintheindustrial,institutionalandcommercialsector. TheCityofToronto’srecyclingsystemisstillstrong.Itreducestheamountofwastegoingtolandfillandhelpstoconservenaturalresourcesandreducegreenhousegasemissions.It’sstillworthittorecycleandincreasinglyimportanttorecycleright. TransitionoftheRecyclingProgramtoExtendedProducerResponsibility ExtendedProducerResponsibility(EPR) OnJune3,2021theProvinceofOntariofinalizedtheregulationtotransitionOntario’sBlueBoxProgramtofullEPR.Amendmentstotheregulation werepublishedonApril19,2022. EPRwillmakeproducersfullyaccountableforthepackagingandpapertheyputintotheOntariomarketplaceandshifttheoperationalandfinancialresponsibilitiesofrecyclingawayfrommunicipalities. OntariomunicipalitieswilltransitiontheirBlueBoxProgramstoEPRbetweenJuly1,2023andDecember31,2025. Toronto’stransitiontoEPR TheCityofTorontowillbeoneofthefirstmunicipalitiestotransitiontoEPRinyearoneonJuly1,2023. TorontoresidentsshouldnotexperienceanychangestotheirBlueBinrecyclingprogramduringthetransitionyears(2023–2025). ThegreatestchangetotheCity’sintegratedwastemanagementsystemwilltakeplacein2026whenproducershavefullytakenoverallmunicipalBlueBoxprogramsandbegintoimplementastandardizedprogram. TheCityhasestablishedadedicatedEPRteamandisactivelyworkingtoprepareforToronto’stransition. TherearestillanumberofunknownsrelatedtoEPR,including: whattheoverallrecyclingsystemwilllooklike whattheCity’srolewillbeinthetransitionyearsandbeyond theresultingimpactstotheCityandTorontoresidents. BenefitsofEPR ThebenefitsofEPRinclude: standardizationofwhatisacceptedintheBlueBoxacrosstheprovinceasof2026whenproducershavefullytakenoverrecycling. potentialreductionand/orinnovationinpackaging costsavingsfortheCity potentialforincreasedwastediversionfromlandfilloncerecoverytargetscomeintoeffectin2026andonwards. EPRnextsteps Inthenearfuture,producerswillbegintodesignwhatthestandardizedBlueBoxProgramwilllooklikein2026afterallmunicipalprogramshavetransitioned. TheCityhasbeenadvocatingforthebestinterestsofTorontoanditsresidentsthroughoutthedevelopmentoftheregulationandwillcontinuetodosothroughoutthedevelopmentofthenewsystemandtransitiontoEPR. SolidWasteManagementServiceswillreportbacktoCityCouncilin2022,oncetheBlueBoxProgramdetailsbecomeavailableandtheimpactstoToronto’sintegratedwastemanagementsystemarebetterunderstood. RecyclingBeverageContainerPilotinParks Inspring2021,theCityofTorontoinstallednewlidson300recyclingbinsinparksacrossthecity.Thenewbinlidshaveaholetoexclusivelycaptureemptybeveragecansandbottles.Stickersadheredtothebinsandsignagebesidethebinsindicatewhatitemsareacceptedandnotacceptedintherecyclingbins. WhiletheCityworkstodivertasmuchwasteaspossiblefromlandfill,thematerialinpublicrecyclingbinsisoftenheavilycontaminatedwithnon-recyclableitems,suchascontainerswithfoodandliquidinthem,coffeecups,blackplasticandpetwaste.Whenthishappens,muchoftherecyclingisruined,sendingittolandfill. ThegoalofthispilotprojectistoincreasetheamountofmaterialtheCitycanrecyclefromparks.Datacollectedfromthepilotwillbeusedtodeterminewhetherdedicatedbinsforbottlesandcanscancontributetoalong-termstrategytoreducecontaminationandincreasetheamountofrecyclingcollectedfromparkbins. InThisSection Houses CollectionSchedule 2022CurbsideCollectionMaps&Schedules ProperWasteSetOut WhatGoesintheGreenBin(Organics)? WhatHappenstoOrganics? WhatGoesintheBlueBin(Recycling)? BlueBinSizes WhatGoesintheGarbageBin? GarbageBinSizes&Fees ExcessGarbage,Recycling&Organics OptinorOutofCityCollectionServices(Houses) Oversized&MetalItems YardWaste