Multi-residential - green bin organics program - front end collection - curbside collection

Description of Service / Summary:

This article provides an overview of the Green Bin Organics Program for multi residential buildings such as apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and co operatives. It explains eligibility, container provisions, program requirements, collection methods, and how Property Management can request supplies or information. 

Multi-residential Green Bin Collection Overview:

• The Green Bin Organics Program allows multi residential buildings to separate organic material (e.g., food scraps, paper towels, coffee grounds) from garbage.
• Organics collection is mandatory for all eligible multi residential properties receiving garbage collection from the City.
• Diverting organics helps reduce garbage volume and lowers overall volume based fees.
• There is no fee for organics collection.
• Failure to implement the mandatory program may result in removal from all City waste collection services due to the City’s all or nothing policy. 
• The City of Toronto has an "all or nothing" policy pertaining to solid waste collection services. As stated in the City of Toronto Residential Collection By-law document - Chapter 844 -Article II - Section 844-3 Eligibility for services (E) - "No owner shall be eligible to receive or to continue to receive services unless the owner sets out for collection all waste in respect of which the city provides services to the owner [Added 2003-05-23 by By-Law No.446.2003]
• Note – as per By-law 1526-2025, “The City will not provide services to collect, transfer, and process Garbage, Organic Materials and Yard Waste for any Multi-Residential Property that is not an eligible source, as defined in section 4 of O. Reg. 391/21, for Producer-Funded Blue Box Collection Services unless the Multi-Residential Property retains a private company other than a Producer Responsibility Organization (for a fee) to handle Recyclable Materials, and provides the City with confirmation that such services have been retained”.
• Property Management should ensure the organics program is as convenient to each resident as the garbage program in order to encourage residents to participate.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Buildings must be eligible for City collection and comply with mandatory organics separation requirements.
• New provincial requirements (O. Reg 391/21) restrict City services for buildings not meeting Blue Box eligibility unless private recycling services are retained. 

Requesting Kitchen Containers (In Unit Bins)

• The City no longer provides free organic bins to multi-residential customers. Prior to purchasing front-end organic containers, multi-residential customers should contact Solid Waste Management Services for bin specifications.
• When the building begins City collection services, the City will provide  an initial allotment of  in-unit kitchen containers to all units, free of charge. Property Management are eligible to request 10% replacement per calendar year.
• Information about the multi-residential Green Bin Organics Program is available on the City of Toronto website.

Provision of Collection Containers:

• The City no longer provides free front end organic bins to multi residential customers.
• Before purchasing front end containers, Property Management must contact Solid Waste Management Services to obtain bin specifications.
• When a building begins City collection, the City will provide an initial allotment of in unit kitchen containers for all units.

Building Responsibilities:

• Property Management must ensure the organics program is as convenient as garbage disposal to encourage resident participation.
•  Proper internal setup (e.g., accessible organics rooms, signage, communication) ensures activity and compliance with City requirements.  

Type of Collection Services:

• City staff determine the appropriate collection method (front end or curbside) based on site inspection or previous survey information.
• Organics collection occurs once per week.

More program details and resources are available on the City of Toronto website.