I’ve got something to tell you. I LOVE JUNE! And it’s only the third day of the month! As much as I love school, I love summer, so that’s reason #1. On June 1st, I had an awesome time participating in Pinball Clemons new initiative #JustGive (read more about that here), that’s #2. I’m looking forward to participating in the #ExploreGTA Twitter Party tonight at 8pm. We’re going to be celebrating and talking about conserving our green spaces in and around Toronto (read more about that here). And now, #4. I’m pretty excited to tell you that as of June 1st, Toronto has added a huge list of things that are now being accepted in your blue bln for recycling.
Toronto’s Blue Bin recycling program, one of North America’s largest residential recycling programs, is now even bigger and better with the addition of new types of soft plastic material. Starting June 1st, Toronto’s recycling program accepts plastic film – the soft, stretchy type that includes bags used for dry cleaning, soil, sandwiches, bread, milk, bulk food and produce, frozen fruit and vegetables, as well as overwrap from toilet paper and paper towels. Full list and instructions are below.
“Every addition to our recycling program results in less garbage ending up in the City’s Green Lane Landfill,” said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. “We’re moving closer to our waste diversion target, and that’s great news for Toronto.”
Adding these plastics to Toronto’s Recycling Program will result in approximately 3,500 tonnes of waste being saved from landfill.
As of June 1, 2015, the following soft, stretchy plastics can go in recycling:
- milk bags (inner pouches and outer bag)
- bread bags (non-foil)
- sandwich bags (e.g. resealable type bags)
- bulk food bags
- produce bags
- dry cleaning bags
- newspaper/flyer bags
- diaper and feminine hygiene outer bags
- frozen fruit bags
- frozen vegetable bags
- transparent recycling bags
- over-wrap from toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, water and soft drink packaging
- garden soil, manure or compost bags
- road salt bags
Instruction on how to add the above to your recycling routine:
- Just like your cans and bottles, empty and rinse bags to remove residue before recycling.
- You may either bundle your bags inside one bag and ties handles or put bags in loose.
Still NOT accepted (types of plastic film):
- Biodegradable plastic containers and film (e.g. compostable plastic bags)
- Any type of black coloured plastic
- Laminated plastic film (e.g. chip bags and stand-up resealable pouch bags)
- Snack food bags (e.g. potato chips, peanuts, cookies)
- Meat and cheese bag packages
- Household cling wrap
- Cellophane
- Cereal liners
- Candy bar wrappers
- Plastic bubble wrap
- Shower liners, pool covers, boat wrap
Good news Toronto eco-warriors, it’s happening. While there is a still a long way to go, we’re moving in the right direction for the city and the earth.
More details are available at toronto.ca/recycle
(Photo Credit: Post City Magazines)
Hi Hannah,
Your post was brought to my attention today and I wanted to thank you for help communicating out the message of more products being accepted in Toronto’s Blue Bin recycling program. You rock!
We are always looking for ways to get the message out and blogs like your definitely help.
We all know that more materials being recycled means less garbage going to landfill. I also wanted to let you know about a major initiative that the City is undertaking – we are developing a long term strategy on what to do with our waste for the next 30-50 years. I’ve included the website above in case your interested. You can sign up to receive more info on the project and there are some fun word searches and sorting exercises that ppl can download.
Thanks again for sharing this message and keep up the great work!
Annette ( @garbagelady)