Waste Reduction
Reducing what we consume would create sustainable jobs and wealth, and re-using goods would send less garbage to landfill.
TEA works for policies and programs that help us to reduce waste and to manage our waste in a way that is safe for the environment and our health.
- Push for excellent waste services in Toronto to ensure a range of waste services have good diversion targets, and are monitored closely to ensure that our waste is handled safely.
- Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - laws and programs that ensure manufacturers and retailers take full responsibility for the products and packaging they design and sell. This gives companies a reason to reduce the amount of waste created and its environmental impact.
- Focus on composting to return organic matter to the soil rather than burying it in landfills as garbage. Organics programs should be available to all residents and businesses in Toronto, whether they live in high-rises, or buildings with private waste collection.
- Oppose garbage and sewage incineration in all its forms, including ‘thermal treatment’ and ‘energy-from-waste’ schemes, that create air and water pollution, and a dis-incentive to reduce or recycle waste.
Waste Reduction Initiatives:
To learn more about TEA waste reduction initiatives, follow the links below:
Visit the City of Toronto website for more statistics, information and programs - www.toronto.ca/garbage
Some of our past waste campaigns and successes:
- TEA works with residents to push Council to shut down Toronto’s last sewage incinerator at Highland Creek in 2011
- TEA pushes for a packaging by-law in Toronto to reduce the waste going to landfill -- this leads to the Plastic Bag Fee on all retail bags in the City and a 70% reduction in single-use bags!
- TEA leads a campaign asking the LCBO to introduce a deposit-return program for all wine and liquor containers, based on the successful Beer Store deposit-return program.
- TEA outlines a green-bin organics program for the City - in 2002 Toronto is one of the first cities in North America with a curbside organics program.