2026.MM39.45

Background

There are around 15,000 recycling bins (Blue Bins) located in public spaces across Toronto. Under the terms of the provincial takeover of Ontario’s Blue Bin (paper and packaging recycling system), the material collected from these bins is no longer collected and processed under the Blue Bin recycling program. These materials are collected and treated as solid waste and combined with other garbage. 

Since most people assume the items they place in Blue Bins are being recycled, the fact that they currently are not being recycled misleads people, which can reduce people's trust in recycling programs. This motion asks the city to find affordable ways to bring back a proper recycling program or remove recycling bins altogether if they are not being recycled. It also asks the Province of Ontario to help create a better recycling system for people when they are away from home.

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

1) The City Council requests that the City Manager, in coordination with the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and General Manager, Solid Waste Management Service, remove recycling bins with regular garbage bins and introduce a “carry-in, carry-out” system, which encourages the public to take recycling home.

2) City Council requests the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2027 with an updated recycling strategy. They should also look into

• Creating specialized bins in high-traffic areas that only collect items that are of high value or easy to recycle.
• Look into a rewards program.
• Explore other options that reduce litter.

3) The council has also requested the Provincial Government to:

• Re-introduce public space recycling obligations.
• Require stores to remove any unwanted packaging from customers and place it in proper bins to be recycled.

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Councillor Lily Cheng, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher