The City is committed to assisting event organizers to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. City staff can provide technical advice, coordination and support for special events.

Solid Waste Management Services Division’s Special Events Waste Diversion Handbook helps event organizers:

  • understand the importance and benefits of diverting event waste
  • complete a Solid Waste Management Plan
  • comply with Solid Waste Management Services’ policies and guidelines on maintaining the street closure and right-of-way
  • develop a waste diversion plan

Contact information for the litter operations company must be provided with the site map that includes:

  • private company name
  • number of staff hired and volunteers
  • contact name
  • contact mobile number
  • location of recycling and waste disposal bins

Permits for street events will not be issued until a Waste Management Plan is submitted and approved by Solid Waste Management Services.

Suggested timeline for submission is 4-6 weeks before the event via email to SWMSSpecialEvents@toronto.ca.

The purpose of the Waste Management Plan is to:

  • ensure the applicant is responsible for the cleanup and removal of garbage and debris
  • restore the roadway to its original condition so that the road can be reopened to traffic in a timely manner
  • avoid City staff being called at the last moment to deal with the cleanup of the roadway which may result in a charge-back to the event organizer

Application Form

Applicant must provide a site map to:

  • show location of watering stations
  • show location of recycling and waste disposal bins
  • outline the method of clean-up and recycling for the event

Permits for runs/walks will not be issued until a Waste Management Plan is submitted and approved by Solid Waste Management Services.

Suggested timeline for submission is 4-6 weeks before the event via email to SWMSSpecialEvents@toronto.ca.

Application Form