Questions and Answers

1. Why did the dog waste issue come about now?
2. What was the rationale for initiating a dog-waste pilot?
3. Which parks are the green bin pilots taking place in?
4. Why are you doing this dog waste pilot in my park?
5. Why not place green bins in all parks for the disposal of dog waste?
6. What is new for the 2009 dog waste pilot?
7. Why should I use paper products instead of plastic bags when picking up and disposing of dog waste in the green bin?
8. Can I use biodegradable bags for this pilot?
9. What if the green bin pilot doesn't work?
10. Won't this encourage people to not pick-up after their pets?
11. How is the area being monitored for compliance?
12. I notice a lot more illegal dumping in the park now that the dog-waste pilot has been launched. What should I do?
13. Where can I learn more about the City’s Green Bin program?

a) Why did the dog waste issue come about now?
During the summer of 2006, Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) staff conducted a City-wide Parks Waste Audit. The audit found that parks litter bins contained approximately 23-27% dog waste, 15-17% other organic waste, 4-6% non-recyclable paper (including napkins and coffee cups), and 2-3% diapers by weight. A second Parks Waste Audit in the summer of 2008 also found that pet waste made up 22-26% of the litter stream.

The audit findings were also cause for concern due to the fact that:

1. a large amount of dog waste left in parks is handled by Parks staff each year, with consequent potential impacts on public and worker health and safety

In response to this issue, on April 10, 2007 the Parks and Environment Committee, requested that: "Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff continue to work with Solid Waste Management Services staff to improve and expand waste diversion initiatives in City parks" and that PFR and Solid Waste Management Services report back in September 2007 on "options to deal with dog waste in the litter stream including options for increasing the green bin program in parks."

b) What was the rationale for initiating a dog waste pilot?
In an effort to meet Council’s Waste Diversion goal of 70% by 2010 and in response to the request by the Parks and Environment Committee, PFR launched several dog waste pilots in select parks across Toronto in July of 2007 for the duration of the summer.

Following extensive research into what municipalities across the world are successfully doing with their dog waste, an analysis was conducted on the most suitable options for application in a Toronto park context. Those options included: a Green Bin pilot, a carry-in/carry-out pilot and a septic waste pilot. These three pilots were conducted in 2007, and then in 2008 another Green Bin pilot was conducted. The 2007 and 2008 pilots showed that the Green Bin was the most successful strategy for capturing dog waste. Audits conducted in the summer of 2007 and 2008 showed that the Green Bins were well-used and the contents were primarily composed of dog waste. In 2009, the Green Bin pilot was expanded to 17 parks.

c) Which parks are the Green Bin pilots taking place in?
Due to limited organic processing capacity, the 2009 dog waste pilot will be operating at the following 17 parks:

The pilot includes Green Bins placed next to litter and recycling bins, adjacent to informational signage and a paper bag dispenser.

d) Why are you doing this dog waste pilot in my park?
Based on recommendations by the PFR Waste Diversion Subcommittee and individual Park Supervisors, specific locations were proposed for each pilot, based on usage, demographics and park characteristics, as well as a previous history of successful diversion efforts in those parks. Parks were then selected based on proximity to a major road intersection, a consideration for the servicing and collection of full bins by SWMS vehicles.

e) Why not place Green Bins in all parks for the disposal of dog waste?
At the moment, Toronto has limited organic processing capacity. This will change within a few years when the City’s plans to increase processing capacity are complete. Until then, Solid Waste Management Services cannot service more than the number of green bin pilots currently in place.

f) What is new for the 2009 dog waste pilot?
Commercial sized Green Bins have been placed near dog off-leash areas or areas frequented by dog walkers. Dog owners are now provided with a paper bag and scoop to pick up after their dogs.

Paper distributors/manufacturers were contacted and samples capable of holding dog waste were received. Four products were considered for this pilot (wax lined paper bag, paper bag with scoop, french fry type cup, and a french fry type container with foldable sides).

In the fall of 2008, the four paper products were evaluated through a public survey. Survey results indicated that the majority of dog owners and dog walkers preferred the paper bag with scoop. Most dog owners surveyed said they were willing to use these paper bags and were supportive of the pilot project.

g) Why should I use paper products instead of plastic bags when picking up and depositing dog waste in the Green Bin?
This pilot is testing the use of paper bags rather than plastic bags to confirm the impact this would have on the operating system. Plastic bags are mechanically separated from organic waste at the plant and sent to landfill. On the other hand, paper bags are compostable and are able to complete the processing cycle along with the pet waste. These paper bags and scoops are provided free from dispensers located by the Bins.

h) Can I use biodegradable bags for this pilot?
The automated organic processing plant, where the contents of the Green Bin dog waste pilot will be sent to, cannot differentiate between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic bags. Organic material is separated from the plastic in the processing plant. The plastic is then removed and sent to the waste stream for landfill disposal. As a result, biodegradable bags would not be bio-digested along with the organic material.

i) What if the Green Bin pilot doesn't work?
The pilot phase allows us to test this dog waste treatment option before committing to it on a large scale. Should the pilot prove successful, it may be extended to next summer and expanded to other parks. Should the pilot prove problematic, it may be revised or discontinued.

j) Won't this encourage people to not pick-up after their pets?
PFR still requires residents to stoop and scoop their pet waste regardless of whether they make use of the park’s Green Bin or carry the waste home for disposal. Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks states that every person having control of a dog in a park is required to immediately pick-up and remove dog excrement "and dispose of it in a sanitary manner in a receptacle for litter or other suitable container" [section 38B (2)]. The Green Bin parks pilot provides the convenience of easy access to a container belonging to an organics processing program that diverts pet waste from regular garbage sent to landfill.

k) How is the area being monitored for compliance?
Park staff monitor the area during the pilot to ensure compliance and collect data on the pilot’s progress. Parks By-law Enforcement Officers will also be focusing more attention on parks hosting dog waste pilots.

l) I notice a lot more illegal dumping in the park now that the dog waste pilot has been launched. What should I do?
If you notice instances of illegal dumping, please call Parks By-law Enforcement at 416-39C-LEAN (416-392-5326).

m) Where can I learn more about the City’s Green Bin program?
Toronto’s Green Bin program has been available to single-family homes receiving curbside collection since 2002. It is currently being expanded to residents living in high-rise apartment buildings and condos. The City’s website contains more information about the household curbside organics collection program and additional details on expansion of the Green Bin program to multi-family buildings.