Residential Multi-Unit Dwellings – Green Bin Program
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the city introducing organics collection for multiple-unit residential buildings (e.g. apartments, condos, co-ops)?
- Why would I want my building to participate?
- Did the city do a pilot before deciding to roll this program out city-wide?
- How much waste will be diverted by implementing organics collection in multi-residential buildings?
- Is the program mandatory?
- What if the Property Management refuses to participate?
- What if a resident refuses to participate?
- When will the program start?
- When can my building expect to be receiving organics collection?
- Who will determine how best to collect organics in my building?
- How often will the organics be picked up?
- What goes in organics collection (the Green Bin)?
- Is there a cost to the property owner?
- How will the Property Management know how many outdoor containers they will need?
- What will the residents use to carry their organics to the outdoor container?
- I just moved into my building. How do I get an in-unit kitchen catcher?
- What happens if my in-unit kitchen catcher breaks? How do I get it replaced?
- Where do I put my kitchen catcher?
- Won't this program promote rodent infestation in our building?
- What happens to the organics that are collected?
- Is there any promotional information I can provide to my residents/tenants?
- If I have more questions, where can I get answers?
Why is the city introducing organics collection for multiple-unit residential buildings (e.g. apartments, condos, co-ops)?
The Residential Multi-Unit Green Bin Program allows participants to put organics (fruit and vegetables scraps, paper towels, coffee grinds, etc.) out for collection separate from garbage and recycling.
Implementation of organics collection from multi-unit residential buildings is necessary if the City is to meet its waste diversion goals. Organics material makes up approximately 30% of the garbage going to landfill.
Why would I want my building to participate?
By separating organics, your building will reduce the volume of garbage it sets out, thereby reducing your overall volume-based fee. There is no fee for organics collection or recycling collection.
Did the city do a pilot before deciding to roll this program out city-wide?
The City of Toronto conducted an organics collection pilot in 30 multi-unit buildings to determine the best way to bring an organics collection program to all multi-unit residential buildings that receive City collection. The participating buildings were successful in diverting organics material from garbage. Based on what was learned from the pilot, the City is now bringing the program to 5,000 apartment, condo and co-op buildings.
How much waste will be diverted by implementing organics collection in multi-residential buildings?
Assuming the multi-unit residential capture rate will not surpass the single family capture rate (currently 75%), and with the financial incentive of the fee structure implemented on July 1, 2008, it is projected that approximately 30,000 tonnes of organics material will be diverted annually.
Is the program mandatory?
Yes, the program is mandatory.
What if the Property Management refuses to participate?
If a building does not implement the mandatory organics collection program, they will be removed from all waste collection services offered by the City.
The City of Toronto has an "all or nothing" policy pertaining to solid waste collection services. As stated in the City of Toronto Residential Collection Bylaw document – Chapter 844 –Article II - Section 844-3 Eligibility for services (E) - "No owner shall be eligible to receive or to continue to receive services unless the owner sets out for collection all waste in respect of which the city provides services to the owner [Added 2003-05-23 by By-Law No.446.2003] Residential collection full bylaw document.
What if a resident refuses to participate?
Property Management must make sure the organics program is as convenient to each resident as the waste and recycling programs in order to encourage residents to participate.
When will the program start?
The implementation program for multi-residential buildings began in November 2008 and will be rolled out city-wide over the next 18-months.
When can my building expect to be receiving organics collection?
Implementation of the organics material collection to buildings will be phased in as collection routes are introduced and in-unit kitchen catchers are delivered. The collection program will begin in the east-end of the city and proceed across to the west. The estimated time for completion of this implementation is 18 months, about April 2010.
Who will determine how best to collect organics in my building?
City staff will determine the best method of collection for your building through a site inspection or from previous survey information. Property Management will receive an information package with container specifications/requirements for the purchase or retrofitting of outdoor organics collection containers.
How often will the organics be picked up?
Once per week.
What goes in organics collection (the Green Bin)?
- meat, fruits, vegetables, shellfish, fish products
- pasta, bread, cereal
- dairy products, egg shells
- coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
- cakes, cookies, candy
- soiled paper food packaging: fast food paper packaging, ice cream boxes, muffin paper, flour and sugar bags
- soiled paper towels, tissues
- paper plates
- household plants, including soil
- diapers, sanitary products
- animal waste, bedding (e.g. from bird/hamster cages)
- kitty litter
- pet food
Is there a cost to the property owner?
The collection of organics material is free but there is an initial set-up cost for purchasing or retrofitting of outdoor organic collection containers. The in-unit kitchen catchers are free with the initial set up.
How will the Property Management know how many outdoor containers they will need?
City staff will visit your building to determine the number of and type of outdoor organic collection containers required (either bulk bin or cart). The specifications for purchasing these containers will be provided to Property Management in an information package. Costs may vary therefore it is recommended that you get several quotes.
What will the residents use to carry their organics to the outdoor container?
The City will provide free-of-charge the initial in-unit kitchen catchers for all units. Property Management is responsible for the purchase of in-unit kitchen catchers for new tenants, should previous tenants not leave the container behind when they move.
I just moved into my building. How do I get an in-unit kitchen catcher?
Please contact your Property Management; they are responsible for providing in-unit kitchen catchers to new tenants.
What happens if my in-unit kitchen catcher breaks? How do I get it replaced?
Residents must take their broken in-unit kitchen catcher to one of the City's Container Pick-up Locations or a Community Environment Day. To exchange a broken kitchen catcher, the damaged one must be returned or charges will apply.
Where do I put my kitchen catcher?
In-unit kitchen catchers come with two screws. You can attach the container to an inside cupboard door. Please check with your Property Management before mounting the container.
If you are not allowed to attach the container, some options include:
- put on floor of cupboard
- keep on counter
- keep on floor, beside garbage can
Won't this program promote rodent infestation in our building?
The only difference with this program is that the organics material is now separated from the non-compostable material. If the containers are maintained and the area in which they are kept is also cleaned and maintained, there should be no more of a threat of infestation in the building than when the material was combined.
What happens to the organics that are collected?
The organics material is picked up at your building by collection vehicles and taken to the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility in Toronto. A biological process that uses bacteria in the absence of oxygen (i.e. anaerobic digestion) converts the organics into organic solid material. This material is taken to another facility where it is turned into compost.
Is there any promotional information I can provide to my residents/tenants?
Resident information packages will be delivered with the in-unit kitchen catchers. More program information.
If I have more questions, where can I get answers?
Call the City of Toronto at 311 or e-mail 311@toronto.