Blue/Garbage Bins frequently asked questions
Blue Bins
The City’s automated Blue Bin collection requires all recycling to fit into your bin.
- Place overflow (extra) recycling beside your bin but it must be cut to a size that crews can fit back into your emptied Blue Bin – pieces may be bundled or put in clear bags. Using automation, the operator will first empty your full bin and then place overflow in your bin and repeat automated collection (items cannot be manually put into trucks).
- Avoid overloading. If items are jammed in they might not fall out when bin is tipped.
- Make sure the lid will close to prevent blowing litter.
- If your bin is damaged, contact us to have it repaired/replaced.
If you “regularly” have overflow recycling, please upsize your Blue Bin or order an extra Blue Bin free of charge.
To place a service request for free exchange, repair or an extra Blue Bin visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311. For more information, check your collection calendar or visit toronto.ca/recycling.
The City’s automated Blue Bin collection requires all recycling to fit into your bin.
- Place overflow (extra) recycling beside your bin but it must be cut to a size that crews can fit back into your emptied Blue Bin – pieces may be bundled or put in clear bags. Using automation, the operator will first empty your full bin and then place overflow in your bin and repeat automated collection (items cannot be manually put into trucks).
- Avoid overloading. If items are jammed in they might not fall out when bin is tipped.
- Make sure the lid will close to prevent blowing litter.
- If your bin is damaged, contact us to have it repaired/replaced.
If you “regularly” have overflow recycling, please upsize your Blue Bin or order an extra Blue Bin free of charge.
To place a service request for free exchange, repair or an extra Blue Bin visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311. For more information, check your collection calendar or visit toronto.ca/recycling.
While the City asks that you put your recyclables inside the Blue Bin with the lid closed, we recognize there may be some times that you have additional recycling. On certain occasions (e.g. seasonal holiday periods), when you may have more recycling, the City will pick up additional recycling provided it is put in a clear, plastic bag and placed beside your Blue Bin on the appropriate collection day. Should collection crews notice a home continually placing extra recycling out, they will pick up the recycling, but will also sticker the Blue Bin notifying the resident to either upsize their bin or get another one to better accommodate their volume of recyclables and to ensure future collection of all recyclables. Households that continue to regularly put out bagged excess recycling each collection cycle, after receiving the sticker notice, may find their extra recyclables will not be collected. They are asked to either visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311 to request either an additional Blue Bin or a larger size bin at no cost.
While the City asks that you put your recyclables inside the Blue Bin with the lid closed, we recognize there may be some times that you have additional recycling. On certain occasions (e.g. seasonal holiday periods), when you may have more recycling, the City will pick up additional recycling provided it is put in a clear, plastic bag and placed beside your Blue Bin on the appropriate collection day. Should collection crews notice a home continually placing extra recycling out, they will pick up the recycling, but will also sticker the Blue Bin notifying the resident to either upsize their bin or get another one to better accommodate their volume of recyclables and to ensure future collection of all recyclables. Households that continue to regularly put out bagged excess recycling each collection cycle, after receiving the sticker notice, may find their extra recyclables will not be collected. They are asked to either visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311 to request either an additional Blue Bin or a larger size bin at no cost.
Cardboard should be flattened/broken down and placed in your Blue Bin with the lid closed. In situations where the cardboard will not fit into the Blue Bin ( i.e. as a result of moving or the purchasing of a new appliance), please flatten and bundle the cardboard with string or twine to a maximum dimension of 75x75x30 cm (2x2x1 ft.) otherwise the bundles will not fit into the opening of the truck. You may also take it to a Drop-off Depot.
Cardboard should be flattened/broken down and placed in your Blue Bin with the lid closed. In situations where the cardboard will not fit into the Blue Bin, i.e. as a result of moving or the purchasing of a new appliance, please flatten and bundle the cardboard with string or twine to a maximum dimension of 75x75x30 cm (2x2x1 ft.) otherwise the bundles will not fit into the opening of the truck. You may also take it to a Drop-off Depot.
Please place shredded paper in a clear plastic bag, tie closed and put it in your Blue Bin. In order for shredded paper to be recycled properly, it must be contained in a clear plastic bag. Loose shredded paper is too small to travel through the necessary recycling separation machinery at the recycling facility. Staff will remove the clear bag at the appropriate stage of the separation process.
Please place shredded paper in a clear plastic bag, tie closed and put it in your Blue Bin. In order for shredded paper to be recycled properly, it must be contained in a clear plastic bag. Loose shredded paper is too small to travel through the necessary recycling separation machinery at the recycling facility. Staff will remove the clear bag at the appropriate stage of the separation process.
There are four size choices for Blue Bins: Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large.
- Small Blue Bin = 1 blue box
- Medium Blue Bin = 2 blue boxes
- Large Blue Bin = 4 blue boxes
- Extra-Large Blue Bin = 6 blue boxes
There are four size choices for Blue Bins: Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large.
- Small Blue Bin = 1 blue box
- Medium Blue Bin = 2 blue boxes
- Large Blue Bin = 4 blue boxes
- Extra-Large Blue Bin = 6 blue boxes