Blue/Garbage Bins frequently asked questions
Garbage Bins
You have the option of waiting until your Garbage Bin is full before setting it out for collection.
You have the option of waiting until your Garbage Bin is full before setting it out for collection.
Residents will choose a bin size and be charged an annual rate whether they set out the bin or not.
Residents will choose a bin size and be charged an annual rate whether they set out the bin or not.
Extra garbage bags can be left beside your Garbage Bin if you attach a City-issued garbage bag tag to each bag. Do not put extra bags into any containers. Extra bags must be left on the ground 0.5 metres away from the Garbage Bin. Garbage bag tags can be purchased 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.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/storelocator/store_locator.jsp?CTC_STORE_SEARCH%3C%3EshowCities=false&CTC_STORE_SEARCH%3C%3EshowResults=false&CTC_STORE_SEARCH%3C%3EprovinceList=&CTC_STORE_SEARCH%3C%3Etype=store&CTC_STORE_SEARCH%3C%3EbackupType=store&CTC_STORE_SEARCH%3C%3Eaddress=&locale=en&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672077&bmForm=form_store_locator&bmFormID=1367952277163&bmSubmit=find_stores&bmUID=1367952277163
If the item's dimensions are too big to fit into your empty Garbage Bin, then you may place this oversize garbage item beside your Garbage Bin for free collection. Please leave a space of 0.5 metres (2 feet) between your Garbage Bin and the item to provide collection access.
There is no need to cut up or breakdown your oversize item because in the future the City expects to collect and divert this item for reuse, recycling or disassembly, to avoid sending it to landfill.
If the item's dimensions are too big to fit into your empty Garbage Bin, then you may place this oversize garbage item beside your Garbage Bin for free collection. Please leave a space of 0.5 metres (2 feet) between your Garbage Bin and the item to provide collection access.
There is no need to cut up or breakdown your oversize item because in the future the City expects to collect and divert this item for reuse, recycling or disassembly, to avoid sending it to landfill.
Solid Waste Management Services reserves the right to increase fees if we find that individual homeowners are compacting their waste. Our collectors will be monitoring the set out of compacted waste.
Solid Waste Management Services reserves the right to increase fees if we find that individual homeowners are compacting their waste. Our collectors will be monitoring the set out of compacted waste.
Do not line the bin with a plastic bag. You have the option of placing your garbage in a regular garbage bag and then into the bin, but that isn’t necessary. You can put smaller, grocery size bags of garbage into the bin or you can place your garbage loose into the bin, eliminating the need to continually purchase garbage bags.
Do not line the bin with a plastic bag. You have the option of placing your garbage in a regular garbage bag and then into the bin, but that isn’t necessary. You can put smaller, grocery size bags of garbage into the bin or you can place your garbage loose into the bin, eliminating the need to continually purchase garbage bags.
All dust or ash material goes into the Garbage Bin. Even though you don't have to put your regular garbage into a plastic bag before putting it into the bin, you do have to bag and secure your dust/ash. This is to prevent the dust/ash from blowing up into the collection operator's face potentially causing a health and safety issue or polluting the environment. Thanks for your consideration.
All dust or ash material goes into the Garbage Bin. Even though you don't have to put your regular garbage into a plastic bag before putting it into the bin, you do have to bag and secure your dust/ash. This is to prevent the dust/ash from blowing up into the collection operator's face potentially causing a health and safety issue or polluting the environment. Thanks for your consideration.
There are four sizes of Garbage Bins. The bag reference is a regular size garbage bag that holds approximately 67 litres.
- Small Garbage Bin = 1 bag ($0.00/yr*)
- Medium Garbage Bin = 1 ½ bags ($47.93/yr.*)
- Large Garbage Bin = 3 bags ($145.31/yr.*)
- Extra-Large Garbage Bin =4 ½ bags ($204.36/yr.*)
*All quoted costs factor in the $224 rebate each single-family household will receive per year.
There are four sizes of Garbage Bins. The bag reference is a regular size garbage bag that holds approximately 67 litres.
- Small Garbage Bin = 1 bag ($0.00/yr*)
- Medium Garbage Bin = 1 ½ bags ($47.93/yr.*)
- Large Garbage Bin = 3 bags ($145.31/yr.*)
- Extra-Large Garbage Bin =4 ½ bags ($204.36/yr.*)
*All quoted costs factor in the $224 rebate each single-family household will receive per year.
The small Garbage Bin has a raised floor restricting its capacity to one garbage bag, and that's intentional. If it didn't have the raised floor, it wouldn't be tall enough to be picked up by the automated truck.
The small Garbage Bin has a raised floor restricting its capacity to one garbage bag, and that's intentional. If it didn't have the raised floor, it wouldn't be tall enough to be picked up by the automated truck.
Fees
Residential households receive a combined Utility Bill. The Solid Waste cost portion will show charges based on how much garbage the home/building generates separate from the water charges.
Residents will only pay through one format for solid waste services, which is through the Utility Bill. Prior to 2008, costs for solid waste services were collected as part of property taxes. These costs cannot easily be removed from the property tax bill, therefore every household/multi-residential building will receive a credit equal to the average amount collected through the tax bill. Home owners will put the $224 yearly rebate towards paying for their individual household's solid waste service fees. The $224 ebate will be divided on each Utility Bill you receive over the course of the year. Those opting for the small Garbage Bin will receive an additional $2.84 credit, which will be used to offset the water charge of the household.
Please keep in mind that you will receive one $224 rebate per year regardless of how many Garbage Bins you order. The rebate is applied once and the annual fee associated with any additional Garbage Bins will be charged at full cost.
For multi-residential buildings with rental tenants, the building property owner will get an annual rebate of $185 per unit applied against the Solid Waste Management Fees incurred by the building. Condo properties, whose bills are typically made out to the condo corporation, will also see a rebate of $185 per unit on their bill, which will offset the Solid Waste Management Fees incurred by the condo building.
Residential households receive a combined Utility Bill. The Solid Waste cost portion will show charges based on how much garbage the home/building generates separate from the water charges.
Residents will only pay through one format for solid waste services, which is through the Utility Bill. Prior to 2008, costs for solid waste services were collected as part of property taxes. These costs cannot easily be removed from the property tax bill, therefore every household/multi-residential building will receive a credit equal to the average amount collected through the tax bill. Home owners will put the $224 yearly rebate towards paying for their individual household's solid waste service fees. The $224 ebate will be divided on each Utility Bill you receive over the course of the year. Those opting for the small Garbage Bin will receive an additional $2.84 credit, which will be used to offset the water charge of the household.
Please keep in mind that you will receive one $224 rebate per year regardless of how many Garbage Bins you order. The rebate is applied once and the annual fee associated with any additional Garbage Bins will be charged at full cost.
For multi-residential buildings with rental tenants, the building property owner will get an annual rebate of $185 per unit applied against the Solid Waste Management Fees incurred by the building. Condo properties, whose bills are typically made out to the condo corporation, will also see a rebate of $185 per unit on their bill, which will offset the Solid Waste Management Fees incurred by the condo building.
The volume-based rate structure is based directly on the quantity of waste set out for collection and disposal. It is modeled after other utilities such as water, electricity and natural gas. For example, a large family will use more water than a single person living alone and consequently will have a larger water bill. The cost to the City to collect and dispose of the waste and organics that is generated by a large family is more than the cost to manage the smaller quantity of waste/organics set out by a single person.
The volume-based rate structure is based directly on the quantity of waste set out for collection and disposal. It is modeled after other utilities such as water, electricity and natural gas. For example, a large family will use more water than a single person living alone and consequently will have a larger water bill. The cost to the City to collect and dispose of the waste and organics that is generated by a large family is more than the cost to manage the smaller quantity of waste/organics set out by a single person.
No, Council, when approving the Solid Waste 2013 budget/rate at its November 29, 2012 meeting, decided to eliminate the $2.84 credit for using the Small Garbage Bin in 2013. Those affected will still receive the $224.00 rebate offered to all residents living in houses receiving curbside bin collection service, which offsets the annual fee charge of $224.00, resulting in a $0.00 fee for those using the Small Garbage Bin.
No, Council, when approving the Solid Waste 2013 budget/rate at its November 29, 2012 meeting, decided to eliminate the $2.84 credit for using the Small Garbage Bin in 2013. Those affected will still receive the $224.00 rebate offered to all residents living in houses receiving curbside bin collection service, which offsets the annual fee charge of $224.00, resulting in a $0.00 fee for those using the Small Garbage Bin.
To be considered for two smaller bins in place of one larger one, you must e-mail 311@toronto.ca or call 311 to make a request. City staff will visit your property to determine your challenges and conditions and make the appropriate recommendations and arrangements. Once you’ve been qualified for two bins in place of one, you would be charged the large size bin’s annual fee of $145.31 per year rather than double the medium size Garbage Bin annual fee.
To be considered for two smaller bins in place of one larger one, you must e-mail 311@toronto.ca or call 311 to make a request. City staff will visit your property to determine your challenges and conditions and make the appropriate recommendations and arrangements. Once you’ve been qualified for two bins in place of one, you would be charged the large size bin’s annual fee of $145.31 per year rather than double the medium size Garbage Bin annual fee.
Their bill is adjusted and any charges are reflected on the next billing cycle.
Their bill is adjusted and any charges are reflected on the next billing cycle.
The annual Solid Waste Management Fee will be spread over the year and you will likely be billed at the same frequency throughout the year as your previous Toronto water bill. Likewise, the appropriate rebate due to you will also be pro-rated across the Utility Bills you receive for the year.
The annual Solid Waste Management Fee will be spread over the year and you will likely be billed at the same frequency throughout the year as your previous Toronto water bill. Likewise, the appropriate rebate due to you will also be pro-rated across the Utility Bills you receive for the year.
If you exchange your Garbage Bin to a larger size, exchange fees apply. This charge will appear as a line item on your next Utility Bill.
If you exchange your Garbage Bin to a larger size, exchange fees apply. This charge will appear as a line item on your next Utility Bill.