There are many types of household waste - providing education and options to sort and collect each type will help your building reduce garbage.
Collection options:
- The City of Toronto provides collection of organics and special waste free as part of their service contract. You can review all waste collected by the City here
- Buildings with private waste collection will need to confirm what their service provider collects
- Some reusable materials are collected by charitable and other organizations - from large national charities, to local organizations seeking a few specific items
- Many retail locations that sell hazardous and special items have drop-off bins for used items - including hardware stores, pharmacies and electronics stores
| Type | Description | Collection options |
| Recyclables |
Paper, glass metal and plastic packaging and disposable containers* *specifics vary by service provider |
City of Toronto or other waste service providers |
|
Organics - food scraps |
Food scraps, and compostable waste (may include compostable paper, pet waste, diapers*) *specifics vary by service provider |
City of Toronto or other waste service providers Self-managed on-site collection in composters, digesters |
|
Used clothing & textiles |
Clothing, household fabrics, linens, shoes, stuffed toys, purses and more (may accept non-reusable condition as well) |
Charitable and other textile collection organizations
|
| Reusable household goods | Various items including household kitchenware, dishes, home decor, books, games and toys in usable condition. |
Charitable and other organizations
Self-managed building swap or reuse events |
|
Furniture in good condition |
Household furniture in reusable condition |
Charitable and other organizations
(e.g. Furniture Bank, Habitat for Humanity) |
|
Used electronics |
Electronics in working or non-working condition including computers, phones, televisions and related accessories |
City of Toronto
Charitable and other organization
Retail drop-off |
|
Alcohol containers with deposit |
Beer, wine and liquor containers with a deposit - includes cans, glass, plastic bottles, and drink boxes and all associated packaging (e.g. cartons, wrap etc) |
Drop-off at Beer Store locations |
| Hazardous liquids | Hazardous liquids including paints, solvents, household cleaners, motor oil, and other flammable or corrosive liquids |
City of Toronto
Waste service provider Retail drop-off locations |
| Batteries | Single-use and rechargeable consumer batteries |
City of Toronto
Retail drop-off On-site collection bin |
| Medications, sharps and needles | Expired prescription, over-the-counter medicines and natural supplements as well as needles and sharps (containers to safely collect needles available from pharmacies) |
Retail drop off at pharmacies City of Toronto
|
| Fluorescent bulbs | Fluorescent light tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) |
City of Toronto
Retail drop-off |
| Cooking oil | Used household cooking oil |
City of Toronto
Used oil collection company |
*City of Toronto customers can call 311 to arrange a Toxic Taxi pick up service for special materials at no charge. City of Toronto hazardous waste drop off depots are available to Toronto residents
Check out our resource on how to set up special waste collection.