Toronto Environmental Alliance

Stuck at a rate of diverting only 50% of our waste from landfill, Toronto is falling behind other GTA cities, and the city is projecting we'll be stuck here for the next few years!  The good news is that increasing diversion doesn't cost a lot, and we can do a lot more with simple education and outreach.

Two thirds of the stuff in the average resident’s garbage bin can be diverted from landfill.  See page 17 of our report.

With simple support and  education, Toronto residents could be recycling and composting a lot more of their waste, increasing our diversion rates.

On April 3, Council will consider a staff report on the future of waste management in Toronto, and it looks like the focus will be on waste disposal, not waste diversion.

We need your help to convince City Councillors to invest more to provide support and education for Toronto residents, schools, businesses and charities that want to divert waste.

Please send us your stories about how more public education from the city would help you divert more waste.

Chris says: I do my best to recycle, but I was putting the wrong thing in the Blue Bin (coffee cups) until my friend told me about the City's Waste Wizard website. I just wish I'd known about the website sooner.

Simon says: My church didn't have recycling bins or green bins -- but after a visit from a City staff member, we installed recycling containers in every room and got free signs to educate our members. It really helped, and I think other churches and groups could benefit too.