Waste Management

The City’s waste management efforts are focused on three key areas:

  • Reduce and Reuse: Examples include reducing paper use and stationery orders;  vendors and contractors are encouraged to submit invoices electronically.
  • Waste Diversion
  • No Waste Recycling Program

Waste Diversion Rates

The waste diversion rates, below, include the following City facilities: City Hall, Metro Hall, Scarborough Civic Centre, North York Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, 703 Don Mills Rd., 277 Victoria St., 1530 Markham Rd., East York Civic Centre, and York Civic Centre.

 

Year

Waste diversion rate

Recycling / Composting tonnes

Garbage tonnes
2020 72%* 528 197
2019 88% 1099 153
2018 87% 1016 148
2017 76% 502 162
2016 90% 1,303 150
2015 89% 1,324 171
2014 89% 1,444 183
2013 88% 1,653 229
2012 86% 1,883 331
2011 84% 1,786 354
2010 85% 1,704 344

*lower than usual recycling and waste diversion rates for 2020 are the result of COVID-19 restrictions, including a directive to put used paper towels in the garbage instead of the green bin.