Backgrounder - City of Toronto Blue Bin Recycling Program
Toronto will begin collecting mixed rigid plastics in the fall of 2012 through the city's Blue Bin program. An advertising campaign is planned for
November 2012. This is excellent news for Toronto. Plastic, in its many forms, is a major contributor to the litter stream.
New plastics added to the Blue Bin - September 2012
Most food-related containers and packaging, and some common household items, such as:
• Clamshell containers (hinged, clear plastic containers used for food items such as berries and takeout)
• Clear fruit and vegetable containers
• Clear takeout food containers
• Molded bakery item trays
• Plastic plates and glasses
• Egg cartons
• Cold beverage cups/lids
• Compact disk cases (empty)
Plastic items that cannot go in the Blue Bin
• Takeout containers with black bottoms or tops (such as used for roasted chicken)
• Toys
• Blister packs
• Cassettes, CDs and DVDs
• Plastic over-wrap on pop/water cartons, toilet paper, paper towels
Proper setout ( Editor’s Note: Please, no overflowing bins, a cause of litter)
Residents should continue to practise basic set out and recycling instructions.
• Items should be emptied and rinsed to remove residue.
• Recycling should be put inside the Blue Bin loose and with the lid closed.
• If a resident regularly has overflow recycling, the resident may upsize their current Blue Bin or order an extra Blue Bin free of charge.
Questions
Check Waste Wizard, Solid Waste's online search tool at http://www.toronto.ca/recycle or call 311 if you have questions about what is accepted in the Blue Bin.
Source: City of Toronto