Waste Reduction

October is Circular Economy Month! Check out the list of in-person events and workshops hosted by the City and its partners and learn how you can reduce waste and contribute to a circular economy.
Every year, the City manages close to 850,000 tonnes of waste. This requires money, energy and resources, and takes up limited landfill space.
Reducing the amount of waste we produce means less waste to manage. Let’s make Toronto greener to help keep items out of landfill and reduce our climate impact.

Refuse

  • Don’t take items unless you will use them.
  • Say “no” to bags, receipts, extra napkins and cutlery.
  • Avoid produce and other items wrapped in too much packaging.

Reuse

Disposable Item Sustainable Solution
Coffee cup Reusable travel coffee mug
Disposable cutlery Saying "no" if you don’t need them or pack reusable cutlery
Paper napkin Cloth napkin
Plastic or aluminum food wrap Beeswax-covered cloth wrap or reusable container
Coffee pod Brewed coffee or pour-over or reusable coffee pod
Plastic produce bag Mesh or other reusable produce bag
Dryer sheet Dryer ball
Paper towel Tea towel or cloth rag
Single-use water bottle or carton Reusable water bottle
Disposable bag Tote or reusable bag
Parchment paper Silicone baking mat
Disposable sandwich bag Reusable silicone or fabric sandwich bag

Repurpose

  • Find new uses for things you would otherwise throw away. Examples include:
    • using cookie tins for storage
    • turning old clothes into rags
    • using cans as pencil holders
    • using old jars as vases

Swap

  • Attend a virtual or in-person swap.
  • Organize a swap with friends or neighbours.
  • Find out where to swap items.

Borrow, share or rent

Repair

Shop consciously

  • Plan ahead and buy only what you need.
  • Consider the impact of packaging when making purchases.
  • Try to buy high-quality items that last.

Donate

The City has partnered with local agencies and non-profits to offer Community Reduce & Reuse Programs. The programs aim to foster a culture of waste reduction, sharing, repairing and reuse in Toronto. They include:

  • urban harvest programs
  • sewing hubs
  • bicycle repair hubs
  • community composting
  • sharing and reuse spaces

The programs are free to the public and offer activities such as classes, workshops, drop-ins and more.

Material Exchange Directory

The City maintains a Material Exchange Directory to help residents, businesses and community groups reuse, share and find used or excess goods and materials locally. This keeps items in circulation for longer and reduces the need to buy new.

Additional websites

Note: the listing of these websites is meant to be a helpful resource but is not a City endorsement.

Where to donate

Note: the listing of these organizations is meant to be a helpful resource but is not a City endorsement.

Important note about donations

  • Check an organization’s website or contact them to confirm their location and hours, what items they accept and in what condition.
  • Some organizations offer pickup and others require appointments for drop off.
  • The condition of acceptable items varies between organizations, but none want items that are wet, mildewed or contaminated with hazardous waste.
  • Do not leave items outside of drop-off locations or donation bins.

What to do with items not accepted

  • Set out furniture or appliances that cannot be reused or donated as oversized items on garbage day.
  • Set out electronics that cannot be reused or donated on garbage day. You can also bring them to a Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day.
  • If you live in an apartment or condo, ask your building manager where to bring your furniture, appliances and electronic waste.

How donations are used

Non-profit organizations may:

  • resell items to provide support and/or employment for those in need
  • resell items to fund their activities and research
  • distribute donations directly to their clients

You can support these organizations by donating reusable items and shopping at their retail operations.

Ways to reduce single-use and takeaway items

Single-use items include items such as eating utensils, straws, stir sticks, condiment packets, napkins, beverage trays, take-out containers and plastic bags.

  • Say “no thanks” to single-use items when offered.
  • Only accept single-use items if you need them.
  • When ordering through apps or online, specify items that you don’t need.
  • Carry a fork, spoon, cloth napkin and reusable straw in your bag.
  • Bring your own reusable containers and travel mugs.
  • Bring containers when dining out in case you have leftovers.
  • Ask restaurants if they have reusable containers that you can borrow or rent.
  • Ask for a reusable cup or dish when dining in.
  • Bring your own reusable bags or tote boxes.

Learn more about the City’s Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy and Bylaw.

Why reduce single-use and takeaway items

  • Many single-use and takeaway items are not recyclable or compostable and are also common litter items.
  • It takes valuable resources and energy to produce, collect, process and dispose of single-use and takeaway items.
  • Items such as foam containers can break down into small pieces and harm fish and animals that ingest them.
  • Take-out containers soiled with food residue can contaminate clean recyclables, sending the entire batch to landfill.
  • Plastic items labelled as compostable and biodegradable that are put in the Green Bin are screened out and end up in landfill.
    • The Green Bin program primarily handles food waste and some fibre or paper products, like tissue and paper towel. It does not process single-use items, products or packaging – even those labelled compostable or biodegradable. Learn more about what should go into your Green Bin (organics).
  • Plastic items labelled as compostable and biodegradable are not recyclable.
    • They are made of materials that break down quickly compared to conventional plastics, which have a much longer lifespan and can be recycled into a new product.
    • Once recyclables are collected and sorted, they are baled and sold to partially offset the operational costs. Plastic items labelled as compostable and biodegradable lower the quality of the plastic bales, making them less valuable and more difficult to sell.

The average Toronto household throws out 17 kg (37 lb) of clothing and other textiles each year.

Textiles placed in the garbage take up valuable landfill space and release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Manufacturing clothing uses raw materials and energy and creates pollution in the process.

Ways to shrink your clothing footprint

  • Shop consciously. Buy only what you need and look for high-quality clothes that will last.
  • Bring unwanted clothing back to retailers who have takeback programs.
  • Buy second-hand from thrift stores and garage sales.
  • Borrow, share or swap clothing instead of buying new.
  • Rent clothing for special events or other one-time uses.
  • Repair clothing to extend its life. The City has several Sewing Repair Hubs across Toronto.
  • Give clothing a new life by donating. Find out where to donate clothing.

Food waste often occurs when we buy too much, cook too much or don’t store our food correctly.

Food waste is a significant issue locally and across the country.

  • Over 47 per cent of food wasted in Toronto single-family households is avoidable.
  • The average Canadian household wastes over $1,300 worth of edible food every year.

Food waste reduction is a key part of the City’s Long-term Waste Management Strategy. Since food waste is not just a local issue, the City has partnered with FoodMesh, other government organizations and major retailers on the Love Food Hate Waste Canada campaign, a national effort to reduce food waste across the country.

Learn more about the food waste and tips to help you reduce food waste in your home.
Date modified: September 30, 2026