October 15, 1998
To:Works and Utilities Committee
From:A. Bacopoulos
General Manager - Solid Waste Management Services
Subject:Environment Days
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to summarize the results of the 1998 Environment Days and to
recommend booking procedures for these events in 1999.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications arising from this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the number of Environment Days to be held in 1999 be limited to 28; one per ward, in
keeping with Council's directive for 1998, and that no exceptions be made to this policy;
(2)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be authorized to choose the date and
location and host the Environment Day in any ward where the two Councillors cannot agree
by March 12, 1999 to jointly host an event on an available date and at a suitable location; and
(3)no changes be made to dates and locations for the Environment Days after they have been
publicized, unless deemed absolutely necessary by the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services.
Council Reference/Background/History:
Environment Days take place in locations such as schools, parks, shopping malls and other
public areas and allow residents to participate in a variety of 3Rs activities.
Since the program's inception in 1991, 259 Environment Days have been hosted by
Councillors and co-ordinated by this Department.
Comments/Discussion/Justification:
In 1998, the Environment Days were very successful, with over 10,000 residents attending the
32 events that were held. The following waste diversion results were achieved:
-sale of 2244 home composters
-collection of approximately 210 tonnes of household hazardous waste
-distribution of 800 tonnes of leaf compost
-collection of 47 tonnes of tires for recycling
-sale of 1442 blue boxes, 796 grey boxes, 262 water kits and 300 peak pails
-recovery of 14 tonnes of used clothing, 10 tonnes of computers and 6 tonnes of books for
re-use and recycling
-collection of 3 tonnes of non-perishable food items and hundreds of pairs of eyeglasses for
redistribution
-collection of 1 tonne of polycoat cartons, juice boxes and Brita filters for recycling
-collection of 3 tonnes of various plastics including polystyrene, plastic bags and plastic
tubs/lids for recycling
While the events were very successful, some problems related to booking dates and locations
for the events were encountered.
Dates and locations for the events are chosen by the Councillors and communicated to the
Department. Staff then determine the site's suitability in terms of safety, accessibility etc. and
provide confirmation of the location and date to the Councillor's office. Once the event dates
are set, they are promoted through various methods such as our residential newsletters, Waste
Watch and Water Watch, telephone hotlines, flyers, newspaper advertisements and radio
advertising.
On occasion, the dates and/or locations were subsequently changed by the Councillor(s) after
the original confirmed dates and locations were publicized. While every effort was made at
that point to advise local residents of the change, it was not possible to convey the message to
everyone. As a result, some residents showed up at the initially chosen location, or on the
original date, and naturally were upset because there was no event taking place. We therefore
recommend that in future, once the original dates and locations are established and publicized,
they not be changed unless deemed absolutely necessary by the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services.
On March 6, 1998, Council decided to limit the number of Environment Days to be hosted in
1998 to 28; one per ward. While the majority of events were jointly hosted by both ward
Councillors, some Councillors could not agree to jointly host an event. Since Councils'
rationale for limiting the events to one per ward was for budgetary considerations, a
compromise was arrived at and those Councillors were allowed to host their own
Environment Day but with no household hazardous waste (HHW) collection at the event
(HHW collection represents approximately 50% of the cost of our Environment Day
program).
This caused confusion for the public because advertising for the majority of events promoted
HHW collection. In some cases, residents would leave the event disgruntled because they
were not able to drop off their HHW. In other instances, they would drop off their HHW at the
event even though staff advised them that the material could not be accepted. This led to
unsafe working conditions for our Environment Day staff since they are not trained to handle
HHW (Chemist Assistants handle HHW at the regular Environment Days).
As well, sometimes two ward Councillors would have separate Environment Days in
proximity to each other in their ward, on the same day. This resulted in inefficiencies as the
Department had to employ double the staff, and residents were still unable to drop off their
HHW.
It is recommended that there be no exception to the policy that only one event per ward be
held. If the ward Councillors cannot agree by March 12, 1999, to jointly host an Environment
Day on an available date and at a suitable location, then the Department will choose the date
and location and host the event.
A letter will be sent to all Councillors in January, inviting them to book their joint
Environment Day for 1999. This letter will outline booking procedures, suggest suitable sites
and provide a date when the Department will start accepting requests from Councillors for a
preferred date and location for their 1999 event. Dates will then be booked on a first come,
first served basis.
Conclusions:
In 1998, over 10,000 residents attended the 32 Environment Days that were operated by this
Department and hosted by Toronto Councillors. While the 1998 Environment Days were very
successful, the recommended changes in booking procedures for the events in 1999 should
result in greater resident satisfaction and a more efficient program.
Contact Name:
Tim Michael
Manager - Waste Diversion
Solid Waste Management Division
Metro Hall
Phone: (416) 392-8506
Fax: (416) 392-4754
E-mail: Tim Michael@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca
Angelos BacopoulosBarry H. Gutteridge
General ManagerCommissioner
Solid Waste Management DivisionWorks and Emergency Services
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