Toronto Environmental Alliance=s AUse It, Reuse it@ Book
The Works and Utilities Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (March 10, 1998) from the
Interim Functional Lead for Solid Waste Management:
Purpose:
To respond to the letter from the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) requesting that we print 100,000 copies of the
booklet AUse It, Reuse It@ at a cost of approximately $64,000.00 (not including PST and GST).
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
A quote by our Document Reproduction and Distribution Services indicates that printing 100,000 copies of the TEA
booklet would cost approximately $61,500.00. With taxes, the price would be approximately $70,700.00. Of this required
amount, $20,000.00 has been allocated in the proposed 1998 Operating Budget, leaving $50,700.00 that would have to be
reallocated from other projects.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that expenditure of $20,000.00 be approved for printing of the AUse It, Reuse It@ booklet as provided
for in the proposed Works and Emergency Services Operating Budget submission.
Council Reference/Background/History:
On February 9, 1998, Toronto Environmental Alliance sent a letter to the Works and Utilities Committee requesting that
Toronto print an additional 100,000 copies of its AUse It, Reuse It@ guide to reuse, repair and rental establishments. The
Committee referred the communication to the Interim Functional Lead for Solid Waste Management Afor consideration
with the operating budget, with a request that a report be submitted to the Committee on the responses received as a result
of the guide by those companies listed therein@.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The Works and Emergency Services Department supports the production and distribution of this booklet. It benefits the
3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) by keeping materials out of the waste stream. In 1997, the department made substantial
contributions to the production and printing of this booklet. Metropolitan Toronto contributed $22,369.00; the Cities of
Toronto, Scarborough and Etobicoke each contributed $5,000.00; and the Cities of North York and York each contributed
$2,000.00, for a total of $41,369.00.
Despite the department=s support, however, in our experience 100,000 copies of this booklet is too many to print at one
time. The booklet contains the names, addresses and lists of materials to be reused, rented or repaired at more than 1,000
Toronto businesses. This information is extremely time-sensitive and changes constantly. It is unlikely that 100,000 copies
of this booklet could be effectively distributed before the information became outdated. If people receive a booklet with
out-of-date information, it will generate complaints and they will cease to use it. We acknowledge that the booklet could be
distributed free at a variety of venues but caution that it is important that the booklet end up in the hands of people who
genuinely want it and will use it.
Several years ago, the former Metro Works Department printed more than 100,000 copies of its booklet ABeyond the Blue
Box@. This booklet had been more popular with residents (50,000 copies distributed in three months) than AUse It, Reuse
It@ (20,000 copies in two months). However, the department subsequently had difficulty distributing such a large quantity
in a timely manner so that the booklet=s information was still up-to-date. We believe the same situation could occur with
this printing.
The department=s proposed operating budget submission provided for $20,000.00 for reprinting the TEA booklet. Printing
of 100,000 copies at a cost of approximately $70,700.00 would divert $50,700.00 from other worthwhile print projects. The
printing budget covers such items as AWaste Watch@, recycling reminder cards, collection calendars, apartment and
commercial recycling information, composting public education materials, grasscycling information and public
consultation materials. Reallocating $50,700.00 from these other programs could compromise their effectiveness.
Regarding the budget, as stated above, $20,000.00 was allocated for reprinting this booklet. This amount would produce
approximately 20,000 booklets. This quantity is more in keeping with what could reasonably be disseminated over the next
several months including effective free distribution. Once these booklets were distributed, we would have the opportunity
to review and update the information, and determine the demand before printing additional copies (should the budget allow
this). Depending on demand, an appropriate budget either greater or lesser than $20,000.00 would then be provided in the
1999 budget submission.
With respect to the booklet=s effectiveness, it is probably too early to judge. Staff contacted 50 businesses listed in the
guide at random and the majority reported no noticeable increase in business. However, most of the booklets have only
been distributed since November and December, and it will take more time for identifiable results.
Conclusion:
For the reasons outlined above, it is recommended that the Works and Emergency Services Department spend the
$20,000.00 already allocated to print approximately 20,000 copies of AUse It, Reuse It@ rather than spending $70,700.00
as requested by the Toronto Environmental Alliance. Information and demand could then be reviewed before printing
additional copies, budget permitting.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Nicole Dufort, Manager
Environmental Promotion and Consultation - Management and Technical Services
Phone: (416) 392-2963; Fax: (416) 392-2974
E-Mail: nicole_dufort@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca