Important Notice:
- To report a missed recycling collection, you must submit your request within one (1) business day of your scheduled pickup. If you've already reported the issue, please leave your bin at the curbside for collection. You can submit a service request online at: https://www.toronto.ca/311/.
Description of Service/Summary:
This guide helps residents and those living above businesses set out recycling properly to ensure smooth collection. It includes eligibility and bin setup requirements, overflow recycling procedures, common reasons for missed pickups, and sorting tips and helpful resources.
Eligibility and Collection Requirements:
- Recyclables must be placed on the curb on the correct collection day, set out bins by 7 a.m. on collection day, or after 8 p.m. the night before (after 6 p.m. from Nov 1–Apr 30)
- For apartments above businesses (previously called RUAC) curbside night schedule, recyclables must be set out after 6 p.m. and before 9 p.m. on the scheduled collection day.
- Use only City-issued blue bins.
- Remove any tie-downs and bungee cords before placing bins curbside.
- Place bins with wheels and handle facing your house
- Keep bins at least 2 feet apart
- No garbage, hazardous, or renovation waste in blue bins
- Recyclables in open boxes or cartons will not be collected
Overflow Recycling Guidelines:
No limit to the amount of overflow recycling set out for collection. However, if you regularly have overflow recyclables, the City recommends ordering a larger blue bin. Please note that overflow items may not be collected if they are not properly prepared.
How to Set Out Overflow Recycling
- Clear/Transparent Plastic Bags: Place overflow recyclables (excluding cardboard) in clear plastic bags beside your blue bin. Do not place these bags inside the emptied bin, as they may be missed during collection.
- Cardboard: Overflow cardboard must be cut, flattened, and bundled with string so it can fit into the blue bin. The collector must be able to reload it into the bin. If you are a bag-only customer, cardboard must be bundled to fit the side loader dimensions: 75 cm x 75 cm x 30 cm.
Collection Differences by Area
- In some parts of the city, recycling collection is not fully automated. A second truck is dispatched to collect overflow recyclables. To ensure pickup, keep clear bags visible beside the bin, not inside it.
- In automated collection areas, all recyclables must fit inside the blue bin to be collected. Overflow items outside the bin may not be picked up.
- In District 4 (Scarborough), there is no second truck. The driver manually reloads visible overflow bags placed beside the bin.
Excess Cardboard Disposal
If you have more cardboard than can be bundled and set out properly, you may take it to a City drop-off depot.
Sorting and Preparation Tips:
- Do not crush plastic bottles or flatten milk/juice/soup cartons/boxes; sorting machines rely on shape recognition.
- Rinse containers before placing them in the bin.
- Leave items in original shape (except for boxes).
- Drywall must be taken to designated depots. 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.
- Visit the City of Toronto website for details on excess garbage, recycling & organics materials
Common Reasons for Missed Collection:
- Bin was set out too late or incorrectly, e.g. the wheels and handle not facing the house.
- The bin contained prohibited items;
- 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
- Overflow recycling bag not closed or tied shut
- Bins were spaced less than 2 feet apart.
- Tie-downs / bungee cords on the bin
Flood-Damaged Materials:
Visit the City’s website for guidance on how to safely dispose of flood-damaged items.
