Residential & apartments above businesses recycling not picked up

What goes in the Blue Bin?

To report a missed recycling collection, you can submit a service request online at: https://www.toronto.ca/311/.

Note: you must report recycling not picked up within 1 business day of the scheduled collection day. If you have reported recycling not picked up leave your bin at the curbside.  

Reasons why bins may not be collected:

  • Bins were set out incorrectly, the wheels and handle must face the house;
  • The bin contained prohibited items;
  • Bins set out too late;
  • Overflow recycling not set out in clear plastic bags and weighing more than 20 kg/44 lbs;
  • The overflow recycling bag does not fit in the bin for reloading (see details below);
  • Overflow recycling bag not closed or tied shut;
  • Tie-downs / bungee cords on the bin;
  • Bins spaced less than 2 ft apart.
  •  

Overflow or excess recycling

There is no limit to the amount of overflow recycling set out for collection, however, the City encourages residents who consistently have overflow recyclables to order a larger bin or their items may not be collected. Wherever possible, we would like all materials to be in the Blue Bin. In the event that you have excess or overflow recyclables that cannot be kept stored until the next recycling collection day, the following guidelines will apply:

  • Overflow recyclables (not cardboard) should be placed out in clear/transparent plastic bags as outlined on the waste collection calendar and placed beside the bin as "overflow" recyclables. In some areas of the City, the collection is not fully automated, and a second truck will come to collect the overflow recyclables. Please do not place your clear bags in your emptied bin. Overflow recyclables in clear bags must be visible to the second truck. In areas that do have an automated collection, overflow recyclables must fit into the blue bin, for reloading, in order to be collected.
  • District 4 / Scarborough - there is no second truck, overflow bags must be visible and will be reloaded by the driver.

  • The cardboard should be broken down and placed in the blue bin to aid in the automated collection. In situations where there is overflow cardboard, it must be cut into small pieces, flattened, and bundled with string or twine so that cardboard is a size that will fit in your blue bin. The collector must be able to re-load it into your bin. For bag-only customers (those that do not use bins) cardboard must be tied and bundled to the dimensions to fit into the side loader (75-75-30 cm). You can also take it to a Drop-off Depot:  Solid Waste Drop-Off Depots - Transfer Stations - residential waste - fees

  • Do not crush plastic bottles. Sorting is done by an optical machine that scans the shape of the bottle/container. If a bottle is flattened, there is a greater chance of it not being captured.

  • Visit the City of Toronto website for details on Excess Garbage, Recycling & Organics materials
  • What to do with Flood Damaged Materials

Detailed information about the residential waste collection can be found in Chapter 844 of the Municipal Code.

Note: Drywall is ONLY accepted as recyclable at Depots that accept recyclables (note Bermondsey, Commissioners, and Ingram are the only depots that accept drywall). Drywall is not accepted in the blue bin.

 

If you are interested in ordering an Extra Large Blue Bin or an additional bin, please contact 311.

Residents should not crush cans or flatten milk/juice/soup cartons/boxes, as items are sorted using equipment that identifies them based on size and shape. Crushing/flattening these materials can impair the identification process at the City's sorting facility. Residents should also leave recyclables in their original shape, with the exception of boxes, when placing them in the blue bin. However, you should rinse all containers to remove residue prior to placing them in the blue bin.