Blue/Garbage Bins frequently asked questions
Instructions for Bin use
Start using the bins as soon as you get them.
Start using the bins as soon as you get them.
If you have a driveway, place your Blue Bin or Garbage Bin on your driveway; otherwise place either bin at the edge of the sidewalk, blocking as little of the sidewalk as possible. The bin lid must be closed and the bin positioned so the handle and wheels face your house.
Place either bin 0.5 metres (approximately 2 feet) away from your Green Bin. There should be 3 metres (10 feet) of clearance above your Blue Bin or Garbage Bin to allow for mechanized collection.
In the winter, do not place bins behind or on top of snow banks. Please make sure they are clearly visible and accessible.
If you have a driveway, place your Blue Bin or Garbage Bin on your driveway; otherwise place either bin at the edge of the sidewalk, blocking as little of the sidewalk as possible. The bin lid must be closed and the bin positioned so the handle and wheels face your house.
Place either bin 0.5 metres (approximately 2 feet) away from your Green Bin. There should be 3 metres (10 feet) of clearance above your Blue Bin or Garbage Bin to allow for mechanized collection.
In the winter, do not place bins behind or on top of snow banks. Please make sure they are clearly visible and accessible.
No. Items should be placed directly in the Blue Bin and the Garbage Bin.
- Blue Bin: Recyclables should be loose and not bagged. Shredded paper only can be put in a clear plastic bag, tied closed and put into Blue Bin. Plastic retail shopping bags without drawstrings, metal detailing or plastic handles can be recycled (remove receipts; place all plastic bags in one retail or grocery plastic bag and tie handles together).
- Garbage Bin: There is no need to use garbage bags. You can put smaller bags into the Garbage Bin or you can place your garbage in loose.
No. Items should be placed directly in the Blue Bin and the Garbage Bin.
- Blue Bin: Recyclables should be loose and not bagged. Shredded paper only can be put in a clear plastic bag, tied closed and put into Blue Bin. Plastic retail shopping bags without drawstrings, metal detailing or plastic handles can be recycled (remove receipts; place all plastic bags in one retail or grocery plastic bag and tie handles together).
- Garbage Bin: There is no need to use garbage bags. You can put smaller bags into the Garbage Bin or you can place your garbage in loose.
Please visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311 to exchange your Bin. Please note fees may apply.
Self-service - exchange your bin size online:
Please visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311 to exchange your Bin. Please note fees may apply.
Self-service - exchange your bin size online:
Please e-mail 311@toronto.ca or call 311 to report the missing bin. A Service Request will be issued and a new bin will be delivered. Until the bin(s) arrive:
- Recycling: You may use clear plastic bags until your new Blue Bin is delivered.
- Garbage: You may use regular garbage bags with City issued tags until the bin is delivered. Garbage bag tags are available for $3.10 each at Toronto Canadian Tire stores. Residents may also bring their garbage to a Drop-off depot and pay a fee for disposal.
Please e-mail 311@toronto.ca or call 311 to report the missing bin. A Service Request will be issued and a new bin will be delivered. Until the bin(s) arrive:
- Recycling: You may use clear plastic bags until your new Blue Bin is delivered.
- Garbage: You may use regular garbage bags with City issued tags until the bin is delivered. Garbage bag tags are available for $3.10 each at Toronto Canadian Tire stores. Residents may also bring their garbage to a Drop-off depot and pay a fee for disposal.
Residents should request online or call 311 for a repair to either the Blue Bin or Garbage Bin. A Service Request will be issued and the bin vendor will repair or replace, if necessary, within five business days. No fee will be charged to the resident for the repair of a bin and the bin repair will be completed on site.
Residents should request online or call 311 for a repair to either the Blue Bin or Garbage Bin. A Service Request will be issued and the bin vendor will repair or replace, if necessary, within five business days. No fee will be charged to the resident for the repair of a bin and the bin repair will be completed on site.
The City has options for bag only or dual-use bin for both types of collection (one week, for recycling and the following week for garbage) for properties that don’t have adequate space. To qualify, the City must conduct a site visit and approve an alternate method. E-mail 311@toronto.ca or call 311 to request a site visit.
The City has options for bag only or dual-use bin for both types of collection (one week, for recycling and the following week for garbage) for properties that don’t have adequate space. To qualify, the City must conduct a site visit and approve an alternate method. E-mail 311@toronto.ca or call 311 to request a site visit.
Currently, the collection of recycling and garbage bins is not hindered by on-street parking. During daytime collection hours, there is generally enough room between cars for staff to move bins safely and efficiently. It’s likely these areas will be serviced by semi-automated trucks. If the collection staff cannot move between the parked cars, staff will roll the bin to the nearest curb cut and will return your bin to its set out location.
Currently, the collection of recycling and garbage bins is not hindered by on-street parking. During daytime collection hours, there is generally enough room between cars for staff to move bins safely and efficiently. It’s likely these areas will be serviced by semi-automated trucks. If the collection staff cannot move between the parked cars, staff will roll the bin to the nearest curb cut and will return your bin to its set out location.
They will pay the annual fee associated with the larger size bin.
They will pay the annual fee associated with the larger size bin.
The new volume-based rate system for garbage is based directly on the quantity of waste set out for collection and disposal and is modeled after other utilities such as water, electricity and natural gas. For example, a large family will use more water than a single neighbour next door and consequently will have a larger Water Bill. The cost to the City to collect and dispose of the waste generated by a large family is more than the cost to manage the single neighbour's smaller quantity of waste and this is reflected in the volume-based rate system. The Solid Waste Management Fees funds all of the other diversion programs including recycling, organic processing, leaf and yard waste collection for composting, implementing packaging reduction policies, Community Environment Days and collection of durable goods among other programs. It costs the City more to manage the greater volume of garbage, recycling and organic waste generated by a large family.
The new volume-based rate system for garbage is based directly on the quantity of waste set out for collection and disposal and is modeled after other utilities such as water, electricity and natural gas. For example, a large family will use more water than a single neighbour next door and consequently will have a larger Water Bill. The cost to the City to collect and dispose of the waste generated by a large family is more than the cost to manage the single neighbour's smaller quantity of waste and this is reflected in the volume-based rate system. The Solid Waste Management Fees funds all of the other diversion programs including recycling, organic processing, leaf and yard waste collection for composting, implementing packaging reduction policies, Community Environment Days and collection of durable goods among other programs. It costs the City more to manage the greater volume of garbage, recycling and organic waste generated by a large family.
The mechanized system of automated collection is able to replace the bins upright in the same place they were picked up from. In the cases of semi-automated collection, which may mean the collector has to wheel your bin to a different location to collect it, the bin will be wheeled back to its set out location.
The mechanized system of automated collection is able to replace the bins upright in the same place they were picked up from. In the cases of semi-automated collection, which may mean the collector has to wheel your bin to a different location to collect it, the bin will be wheeled back to its set out location.
The Garbage Bin and Blue Bin have an attached lid. Most raccoons focus on the Green Bin but may try to get into the Blue Bin and Garbage Bin. The best way to “critter” proof your bins is to eliminate as much odour as possible by rinsing recyclables and food packaging (e.g. pop cans, glass bottles and jars) before placing them in the appropriate bins.
Raccoons and other animals generally only open bins once one is pushed over. To prevent bins from being knocked over, secure them against a wall, fence or tree using a strap, hook or bungee cord. If you cannot secure bins to a wall, try hooking a short bungee cord from one side to the other, as long as you remove it before collection. Collectors will not pick it up a bin if a bungee cord is attached to the lid.
To provide additional security against persistent pests like raccoons, the City provides residents with the option of purchasing a latch lock addition to your current Green Bin latch. This extra latch costs $9.00 and is available at Container pick-up locations and at local Community Environment Day events. It comes with easy to follow installation and usage instructions.
If you know you’ve had a problem with animals, rather than puttin your bin out the night before pick-up, wait until early the next morning and put it out before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day (raccoons usually feed at night). If you store your bin in a garage or shed, make sure the doors and windows are closed.
The Garbage Bin and Blue Bin have an attached lid. Most raccoons focus on the Green Bin but may try to get into the Blue Bin and Garbage Bin. The best way to “critter” proof your bins is to eliminate as much odour as possible by rinsing recyclables and food packaging (e.g. pop cans, glass bottles and jars) before placing them in the appropriate bins.
Raccoons and other animals generally only open bins once one is pushed over. To prevent bins from being knocked over, secure them against a wall, fence or tree using a strap, hook or bungee cord. If you cannot secure bins to a wall, try hooking a short bungee cord from one side to the other, as long as you remove it before collection. Collectors will not pick it up a bin if a bungee cord is attached to the lid.
To provide additional security against persistent pests like raccoons, the City provides residents with the option of purchasing a latch lock addition to your current Green Bin latch. This extra latch costs $9.00 and is available at Container pick-up locations and at local Community Environment Day events. It comes with easy to follow installation and usage instructions.
If you know you’ve had a problem with animals, rather than putting your bin out the night before pick-up, wait until early the next morning and put it out before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day (raccoons usually feed at night). If you store your bin in a garage or shed, make sure the doors and windows are closed.