On Earth Day, TEA focused on zero waste for Toronto's vertical communities with a community clean up and celebration at CityPlace, a high-rise community of 13,000+ residents.

CityPlace is a collection of high-rise buildings stretching from the lakeshore to Front Street and Bathurst west to the Rogers Centre and surrounding Canoe Landing Park. 

TEA and the CityPlace Residents' Association (CPRA) partnered for an Earth Day community cleanup - with an extra zero waste component. With the support of Diabetes Canada and Free Geek Toronto, residents were able to drop off clothing and electronics for reuse and recycling. (Did you know that the average garbage bag contains 4% reusable goods and 4% electronics and other hazardous materials?) 

Local Councillor Joe Cressy joined in the cleanup, and MPP Han Dong brought a team of volunteers to help pick up litter.

Residents dropped off used clothing and household goods in the Diabetes Canada collection bins - more than 690 lbs worth! Diabetes Canada collects used household goods for resale and provides large collection bins to condos and apartments. All revenue generated by the collection of goods goes to fund diabetes research and programs for the 11 million Canadians with diabetes or pre-diabetes. 

Free Geek Toronto (based in Liberty Village) collected an estimated 200 lbs of electronic waste, including old computers, laptops, monitors and accessories. Free Geek repairs and resells electronics and computer equipment at low cost - providing job and skills training and to make the internet and computer access affordable. They have already tested a number of items collected at CityPlace and posted them for resale in their affordable electronics shop, and are currently refurbishing two laptops. 

TEA and CityPlace Residents Association are planning future events and workshops in the area to continue to engage the community on zero waste solutions. (Be sure to subscribe to email updates from TEA to stay in the loop!) 

Thank you to the Fort York BIA for sponsoring an Earth Day after-party for volunteers & a local dog-walking business who rallied dozens of volunteers to help clean up the park.

TEA gratefully acknowledges funding support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario, for this work on engaging residents in multi-residential buildings.