Blue Bin Recycling Program
We want it!
Check out what happens to your recycling
Ever wondered where the recycling you give the City goes and what happens to it? Here's your chance to go behind the scenes at one of Toronto's recycling facilities where all your items are sorted and prepared to go to market. The money the City receives from selling recyclables helps pay for all your waste diversion programs and services. The City partnered with Rogers TV to film this recycling story aired in the first episode of the new Rogers show "City Insider".
Headlines
Coffee cup pod/disc products are not recyclable in Toronto's program
The City of Toronto's municipal Blue Bin recycling program is not able to accept coffee cup pod and disc products. The processing equipment is not set up to properly identify, sort and separate the discs/pods from the many other recyclable items. This results in contamination of the other marketable recyclable materials that are a valuable revenue source for the City.
The construction of the pods/discs is also problematic (used coffee grounds remaining under the attached lid contaminate the recycling process and foil lids found on some pods contaminate the plastic recycling process). Those residents using Tassimo discs may wish to participate in the company's customized recycling program unique to their products - Tassimo Brigade.
New plastics added to the Blue Bin on September 12, 2012
You can now recycle items such as:
- Clamshell containers (hinged, clear plastic containers used for food items such as berries and take-out)
- Clear fruit and vegetable containers
- Clear take-out food containers
- Moulded bakery item trays
- Plastic plates and glasses
- Egg cartons
- Cold beverage cups/lids
- Compact disk cases (empty)
For more information check WASTE WIZARD. This online search tool lists over 1,500 waste items and how to properly dispose of them.
Don't bag your recycling. Items in black/green garbage bags or opaque bags are considered garbage. Putting items in loose takes up less space so you can fit more in your Blue Bin.
It’s dangerous to put empty propane tanks in recycling or garbage
Propane tanks or canisters of any size - small camping canisters, small and large BBQ tanks and helium tanks - should never be put in with your recycling or garbage and must be disposed of properly. Even when empty, these tanks are considered dangerous hazardous waste.
Please take all propane and helium tanks to Drop-off Depot or, to a Community Environment Day.
