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
History
• Toronto's Blue Bin (formerly Blue Box) Recycling Program was launched
in 1988/1989.
• The first materials to be recycled were glass bottles, jars, metal cans and
newspapers.
• Throughout the years, other products were added, such as magazines,
telephone books, catalogues, pizza boxes, plastic food jars, tubs and lids.
• The last addition of items to the Blue Bin took place in 2008, when plastic
grocery and retail shopping bags and foam polystyrene packaging were
added.
• Currently, 96 per cent of single-family households participate in the Blue
Bin program.
Source: City of Toronto