Today, Toronto City Council approved a planned three per cent interim increase in rates and fees for Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water. This will maintain current service levels, provide adequate funds for future capital needs and will help avoid a more significant increase when the budget is approved.
The interim rates and fees will take effect Monday, January 1, 2024, and final rates will be approved in the 2024 Budget, which will launch on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
Households are charged for waste collection services according to the size of their garbage bins. In 2024, factoring in the three per cent increase, the yearly solid waste fee for a single-family household will amount to $295.29 for a small bin (an increase of $8.60), $358.47 for a medium bin (an increase of $10.44), $486.86 for a large bin (an increase of $14.18) and $564.71 for an extra-large bin (an increase of $16.45).
In addition to residential garbage collection, Solid Waste Management Services fees fund the collection and processing of yard waste, organics, oversized and metal items, household hazardous waste and electronics. These fees also provide support for city-wide litter collection, Community Environment Days, street and park bin collection, drop-off depots and the ongoing maintenance of closed landfills.
For the average Toronto household using 230 cubic metres of water per year, the interim rate will cost an additional $30 annually (eight cents a day) for a total of $1,039 in 2024.
Toronto Water provides safe drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment and stormwater management services while investing in the construction and revitalization of infrastructure to address challenges posed by growth, aging assets and the effects of climate change.
Rate-supported operating and capital budgets for Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water – including final rates and fees – will be considered as part of the 2024 Budget process. Residents and businesses can provide feedback on the rates and fees during the 2024 Budget process. More information is available on the City’s 2024 Budget webpage: www.toronto.ca/budget.
“The approved interim rate and user fees are cost-effective for Toronto residents and businesses while ensuring we can maintain these essential services. I look forward to continuing to engage Toronto residents and businesses in the 2024 Budget process next year.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“The City’s approved interim rates and user fees for Solid Waste and Toronto Water ensure that we can continue to provide these essential services for Toronto residents and businesses.”
– Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Budget Committee Chair
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