Apartment Recycling Pilot Project and
OMG Media Bin Launch Event
The Works Committee reports having directed that the report dated September 30, 1999, from the Commissioner
of Works and Emergency Services be submitted to Council without recommendation.
The Works Committee further reports having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to submit a
report to the Committee on the pilot projects already undertaken by the former Metropolitan Toronto.
The Works Committee submits the following report (September 30, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services:
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to advise Committee of two separate waste diversion initiatives that staff are undertaking with
financial support from the private sector.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement
There are no financial implications arising from the report.
Recommendation:
That this report be received for information.
Background:
In early 1999, Solid Waste Management Services staff met with representatives of the Canadian Soft Drink Association
(CSDA) to discuss potential projects for increasing the recovery rate of beverage containers from the residential waste
stream and, in particular, from apartment buildings.
From those discussions, we have developed a six-month pilot project to test fully commingled Blue Bag recycling systems
in two apartment buildings in the Etobicoke community.
With respect to the OMG Media litter bin project, we have been in discussions with Corporations Supporting Recycling
(CSR) about testing different methods of servicing the new multi-compartment bins. CSR has offered to provide a
three-compartment garbage and recycling truck for a five to six-month test period.
Discussion/Justification:
The apartment recycling pilot project will test innovative new methods of recovering recyclables from high rise buildings.
In the first building, residents will be provided with a three-month supply of see-through blue bags. The residents will be
instructed to commingle all their fibre and container materials in the bags and deposit the full bags in the building's
garbage chute. The mix of garbage and Blue Bag material will be transported to a private waste processor, Recycle Plus,
where the Blue Bags will be separated from the garbage, and the recovered material sorted and marketed.
After the first three months, residents will be requested to purchase the Blue Bags at local grocery stores for the remainder
of the six-month pilot project.
In the second building, residents will also be supplied with Blue Bags for their fibre and container materials, except instead
of depositing the bags in the garbage chute, they will be instructed to carry them down to a bulk lift container beside the
building.
Waste and recycling audits will be conducted before, during and after the pilot project to determine the impact of the new
systems on material recovery levels. All costs associated with waste audits, special collections, processing and promotion
will be paid by CSDA. The City of Toronto and CSDA logos will appear on the promotional materials.
The three compartment OMG Media litter/recycling bins will be installed on street allowances starting in mid-October.
While the OMG bins will generate significant advertising revenue for the City, this will be partially offset by the increased
cost of collecting litter, fibre and containers from each bin. Staff are currently evaluating alternative methods of servicing
the bins. CSR has offered to provide a special three-compartment truck to test in the City for a three to six-month period.
CSR has also negotiated a special rate for all its member companies to purchase ad panels on a number of OMG Media
bins which provide clear instructions to pedestrians on how to use the bins properly.
A media event is being planned for late October - early November to launch the OMG Media bin project and to educate
City of Toronto pedestrians on how to use the new bins. City of Toronto politicians and senior staff, OMG Media officials
and CSR representatives will be invited to attend the media launch.
Conclusions:
The apartment recycling pilot project and the OMG Media litter/recycling bin project are examples of progressive waste
diversion initiatives being undertaken with financial support from private sector partners. Solid Waste Management
Services is continuing to pursue similar initiatives to further our waste diversion goals.
Contact Name:
Andrew Pollock
Director, Policy and Planning
Solid Waste Management Services
Works and Emergency Services
Metro Hall, 19th Floor
Phone: 392-4715; Fax: 392-4754
E-mail: andy_pollock@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca
