Chloe Zhang
Plastic bags are a significant contributor to the 900,000 tonnes of waste that the City of Toronto processes annually. The city has a two-tier waste management system, with some waste collected by private companies and some by the city's own crews. Toronto residents have questioned the effectiveness of their recycling practices, with some claiming that all waste ends up in the same place. However, this is a myth, and recycling plants do exist in the city, where workers manually sort through different types of plastics, papers, and other materials. The city provides guidelines for proper waste disposal, including specific instructions for recycling plastic bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 | Recyclable in Toronto |
| Plastic numbered 3 and 7 | Not recyclable in Toronto |
| Black plastic | Not recyclable in Toronto |
| Pizza boxes | Recyclable in Toronto |
| Hair and nails | Not recyclable in Toronto |
| Compostable and biodegradable plastics | Not recyclable in Toronto |
| Excess recycling | Should be put in a clear bag |
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What You'll Learn
Toronto's plastic recycling policy
When it comes to plastic, the city has specific guidelines. Plastic items numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are typically recyclable in Toronto, while plastic numbered 3 and 7 are not. Black plastic, commonly used for takeout containers, is also not recyclable and should be disposed of in the garbage bin. Compostable and biodegradable plastics are not recyclable either, as they are designed to break down rather than be remade into new products.
To ensure effective recycling, the city encourages residents to rinse and clean their recyclables, removing any food residue, and to reattach caps. Recycling should be placed loosely in the bin, without bagging, except for shredded paper or small pieces of paper. Excess recycling can be placed in a clear bag beside the Blue Bin, while black bags or non-clear bags will be considered garbage.
While the city promotes recycling and waste diversion from landfills, some residents have expressed skepticism about the process. There are misconceptions about the recyclability of certain items, such as compostable or biodegradable materials, hair and nail clippings, and black plastic. Additionally, the sorting process can be challenging, as some recyclable materials may end up in landfills if they are contaminated with food or non-recyclable items.
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Plastic bags in blue bins
Plastic bags cannot be placed in blue bins in Toronto. Excess recycling should be put in a large clear bag and placed beside the blue bin. Black bags or bags that are not clear will be considered garbage.
In Toronto, the blue bin is for recycling. The City of Toronto is responsible for processing 900,000 tonnes of waste each year, including garbage, blue bin (recycling), and green bin (organics) waste management programs.
The following items are accepted in the blue bin for recycling:
- Glass bottles
- Cans and tins
- Paper
- Cardboard
Plastic numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 is typically recyclable in Toronto. Plastic numbered 3 and 7 is not. Black plastic, such as takeout containers and black garbage bags, is not accepted in the City's recycling program. Compostable and biodegradable plastics are also not recyclable and should be disposed of in the garbage.
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Black plastic disposal
Black plastic is derived from carbon black, which contains compounds with carcinogenic properties. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified carbon black as "possibly carcinogenic to humans". It is not known whether carbon black leaches out of black plastic containers into food during microwaving, but it is recommended to avoid microwaving food in any plastic container. Black plastic constitutes 15% of all plastic recyclables, but most of it is not recycled because the technology used by recycling facilities to sort plastics cannot detect the colour black. These facilities use near-infrared (NIR) light to sort plastics by colour, but carbon black absorbs infrared light, so black plastic items are not registered. As a result, most black plastic ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment after just one use.
In Toronto, black plastic cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in the garbage bin. This is in line with the general recommendation to avoid buying items packaged in black plastic. However, black plastic bags, plastic film, and plastic wrap can be recycled through plastic bag recycling drop-offs at participating supermarkets and other locations. It is important to ensure that these items meet the recycling requirements of being "stretchy", clean, and dry.
The City of Toronto is responsible for processing 900,000 tonnes of waste annually, including garbage, blue bin (recycling), and green bin (organics) waste management programs. While the city does recycle metal, there is controversy over whether plastic is actually recycled or sent to landfills. Some residents claim that their diligent sorting of trash is useless because the city mixes recyclables and garbage. However, others refute this claim, stating that recycling plants do exist and sort garbage from recyclables.
To reduce waste and improve the recyclability of plastics, it is recommended to avoid single-use plastics and choose reusable alternatives whenever possible. Additionally, consumers can advocate for businesses to use plastic that can be recycled locally and support companies that use clear plastic or special detectable black plastic that can be sorted by NIR technology.
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Plastic numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Plastic bags are generally not recyclable and can cause damage to recycling equipment. In Toronto, plastic bags should not be placed in recycling bins. However, grocery stores will collect plastic bags for proper recycling.
Now, regarding the different types of plastics numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6:
Plastic Numbered 1 (Polyethylene Terephthalate/PET or PETE): This type of plastic is commonly used for water and beverage bottles, food jars and containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, clothing fibre, and mouthwash bottles. While it can be recycled, it should be stored in a cool environment and not reused.
Plastic Numbered 2 (High-Density Polyethylene/HDPE): This plastic is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles. It can be easily recycled if clean.
Plastic Numbered 4: Bags made of this type of plastic, such as produce and grocery bags, should not be placed in recycling bins as they can get tangled in recycling equipment. However, they can be recycled, and grocery stores often collect them for proper recycling.
Plastic Numbered 5: This type of plastic is considered relatively safe and can be recycled. However, it should not be heated or microwaved, even if it is microwave-safe.
Plastic Numbered 6 (Polystyrene/PS): This plastic can be recycled, but not all facilities and municipalities may accept it. It is more common to collect and reuse this type of plastic.
It's important to note that just because a plastic item has a recycling symbol, it doesn't guarantee that it can be recycled. The recycling possibilities depend on the local waste recycling facilities and their capabilities. Additionally, always ensure that your recyclables are empty, clean, and free of food residue.
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Recycling contamination
Plastic bags are the number one form of contamination in the recycling stream. They clog the machinery used to process recyclable materials, leading to operational problems, facility shutdowns, and safety hazards for employees. These lightweight plastic materials are also prone to becoming litter, creating severe environmental hazards.
To prevent contamination, it is important to ensure that all materials placed in the recycling bin are clean and dry, with no food residue, stickers, labels, staples, or receipts. Plastic bags should not be placed in recycling bins, and instead should be recycled at local retailer take-back programs or placed in the trash.
In Toronto, the City is responsible for processing 900,000 tonnes of waste each year, including garbage, blue bin (recycling), and green bin (organics) waste management programs. While there is some confusion about whether Toronto actually recycles its waste, the City does provide reports about its recycling. Plastic bags can be recycled at most local grocery stores in Toronto, but it is important to ensure they are clean and dry to avoid contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic bags cannot be recycled in Toronto. They should be disposed of in the garbage bin.
Plastic numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 can typically be recycled in Toronto. Black plastic, compostable, and biodegradable plastics are not recyclable and should be put in the garbage.
Recyclable plastics are usually marked with a triangle of arrows containing a number. Plastics stamped with #1 (PET) or #2 (HDPE) are easily recycled if clean.
The City of Toronto is responsible for processing 900,000 tonnes of waste each year. Recyclables are collected, sorted, baled, and sold.
No, recycling should not be bagged unless it is shredded paper or small pieces of paper.
