Last updated November, 2007

Program highlights

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• The City has set an aggressive goal of 70% solid waste diversion from landfill by 2010 – distributing new Blue Bins for recycling and Garbage Bins to residents in homes receiving curb-side collection are two tools that will help us get there.

• New programs and services will give residents the tools they need to reduce and reuse including a new larger Blue Bin with a lid and wheels.

• Reaching our goal of 70% solid waste diversion from landfill by 2010 will extend the life of the Green Lane Landfill until approximately 2034.

• The City will need an additional $54 million annually to provide the programs/services needed to target 70% diversion.

• The City will generate the necessary funds through a new volume-based rate structure for solid waste.

• Payment will be based on how much garbage is produced by the household. Residents can reduce garbage to reduce costs.

• Four different-sized Garbage Bins (Small, Medium, Large, Extra-large) will be made available that will accept from 1 to 4.5 bags of garbage every two weeks. The estimated cost of these bins ranges from approximately $209 to $360 per year, however households will receive a credit equal to $209, the amount the average household currently pays through their property taxes. Final bin costs will be confirmed once the City’s budget is approved in Spring 2008.

• Initially, the credit will appear on the new joint Toronto Water/Solid Waste bill and will be applied against the cost of the new size of Garbage Bin(s) the householder has chosen.

• Those able to keep to the limits of the Small-size Garbage Bin will not owe any money on their new bill. Houses that choose a larger bin will pay the difference of the cost of their new Garbage Bin minus $209.

• The average single-family residential household will pay an additional $62 per year ($1.20 a week).

• The same concept will apply to multi-unit residential buildings.

By achieving 70 per cent diversion from landfill:

• Solid Waste is reducing its GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by an additional 25 per cent, which is equal to taking over 100,000 cars off the road.

• Toronto will recycle 240,000 tonnes of paper annually, which will save 4.5 million trees a year.

• Toronto will recycle enough materials to save 900 million kWh (kilowatt hours) of energy annually, which is enough to supply all the electrical needs for 170,000 homes.