The TransformTO Net Zero Strategy sets a target for City-owned buildings to achieve zero waste. This challenges City staff to divert between 90 per cent to 100 per cent of their workplace waste from landfill to recycling and organics.

Waste Diversion Rates

To comply with the Province of Ontario’s 3Rs Regulations, annual waste audits are conducted on the City’s office facilities over 10,000 sq. m. The waste diversion rates below include quarterly waste tracking and annual waste audit results from 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 and Organic tonnes Garbage tonnes
2022 73% 253 94
2021 77% 308 89
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. Paper towels were accepted in the green bin again mid-way through 2021.