Maya Ellison
Plastic waste is a pressing issue for Toronto, with China no longer accepting recycled materials, the city has had to adapt and find new solutions for its recyclable waste. One of the most common plastics, black plastic, is not accepted in Toronto's recycling program as it cannot be sorted at the facility due to recognition issues. Plastic cutlery is also not accepted in most places, with the exception of the City of Toronto, which may recycle it. However, it is important to note that the acceptance of plastic items for recycling varies depending on the local recycling companies and their ability to sell these materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic cutlery recyclable in Toronto | Yes, the City of Toronto may recycle plastic cutlery, but few other places do. |
| Plastic bags recyclable in Toronto | Yes, certain kinds of plastic bags can be recycled in Toronto. |
| Plastic Styrofoam recyclable in Toronto | Yes, some types of plastic Styrofoam can be recycled in Toronto. |
| Black plastic recyclable in Toronto | No, black plastic is not accepted in Toronto's recycling program. |
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What You'll Learn
Toronto's Blue Bin recycling program
The city has also added certain kinds of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers to the list of acceptable recyclables in the Blue Bin. However, it's important to note that not all plastic bags are acceptable. Simple plastic bags from grocery stores are recyclable, but those with drawstrings, hard plastic handles, or metal components are not. Plastic food wraps are also excluded due to contamination concerns and the use of incorrect materials.
Some items that are not accepted in the Blue Bin include old clothes, shoes, blankets, and curtains. These items can cause damage to sorting machines and equipment and lead to workplace injuries. Instead, residents are encouraged to donate usable items to not-for-profit agencies or drop them off for reuse at Community Environment Days. Black plastic, such as takeout containers and garbage bags, is also not accepted in the city's recycling program.
The city's transition to a new blue bin program and the introduction of a new company, Circular Materials, for collection have led to some confusion and discussion around the use of stickers to distinguish the new program. The new company, created by some of the biggest producers of packaged materials, will be responsible for ensuring their packaging is collected and recycled under the extended producer responsibility model.
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Plastic bags in Toronto
Plastic bags are a major source of environmental pollution in Toronto. They can be seen blowing around in parks, getting stuck in trees, floating in ravines and on beaches, and ultimately harming wildlife. Plastic bags are made from oil, a non-renewable resource that requires significant energy to be processed and recycled. While the exact timeframe is unknown, it is estimated that plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to fully break down into organic matter. The breakdown process is even slower in landfills due to the lack of light and air, which prevents decomposition.
In 2008, the City of Toronto passed a law imposing a 5-cent charge for all plastic bags provided in stores. This was an attempt to reduce plastic bag usage and encourage the use of reusable bags. However, it is important to note that simply switching to disposable paper bags is not a viable solution, as paper bags also have negative environmental impacts. Reusable bags are the best option, and it is recommended to choose bags made from renewable, non-toxic, and low-impact materials.
The Toronto Environmental Alliance provides guidelines for using plastic bags. They suggest using other plastic bags, such as bread bags, milk bags, or produce bags, instead of disposable plastic shopping bags. Additionally, residents can purchase compostable bio-plastic bags designed for green bins and pet waste disposal. However, it is important to note that these compostable bags will be removed during the processing of organics and sent to landfills, where they are unlikely to decompose due to the absence of light and air.
While there have been efforts to ban plastic bags in Toronto, such as the draft by-law proposed in November 2012, these attempts have faced legal challenges from the plastics industry. As a result, the City of Toronto has focused on reducing single-use items and encouraging the use of reusable alternatives through initiatives like the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw. Retail businesses are required to ask customers if they need single-use items and provide reusable options.
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Styrofoam containers
In Toronto, the City Council passed a law in 2008 to allow the recycling of certain plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in blue bins. Previously, the city had rejected these items. However, there are restrictions on which plastic bags can be recycled. Plastic bags with drawstrings, hard plastic handles, or metal components are not accepted. Plastic food wraps are also excluded due to contamination concerns and the use of unsuitable materials.
Styrofoam, also known as foamed polystyrene, is not accepted in municipal collections in Toronto. UHN's recycling rules specifically mention that foamed polystyrene is not allowed. This material is often used for food containers, and alternatives are available, such as compostable clamshell containers, ceramic dishes, steel trays, and reusable plastic plates.
The B.C. Restaurant and Food Association supports the transition away from foam containers, but they acknowledge the existence of obstacles, including higher costs. For example, a compostable clamshell container may cost around 20 cents, while a plastic foam container costs less than one cent. Despite the challenges, some businesses in Vancouver have already made the switch to paper alternatives, even if it means slightly higher costs.
While Toronto has made efforts to recycle some Styrofoam containers, it is important to note that not all plastic materials are recyclable. Many recycling programs do not accept black plastic takeout containers because the sorting technology cannot identify them. Additionally, the market for recycled materials has faced challenges, as China, previously the largest customer, no longer accepts recycled goods. As a result, many recyclables, especially plastics, struggle to find a second home.
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Black plastic
The City of Toronto has urged residents to dispose of black plastic in the garbage instead of the blue bin. This request aims to reduce the contamination of recyclables and the resulting increase in processing fees. However, it is essential to note that black plastic is not banned in Toronto, and the city is working on finding a solution to this issue.
The inability to recycle black plastic is not unique to Toronto. Other cities in Canada and worldwide face similar challenges due to the limitations of optical sorting technology. Black plastic does not reflect light, making it invisible to optical scanners used in recycling facilities. This technology works well with traditional plastic but fails to identify black plastic on the conveyor belt.
While black plastic is not recyclable in Toronto's municipal system, some private recycling companies process black plastic. For example, a company in Fergus, Ontario, offers black plastic recycling services. Additionally, some businesses in Toronto have opened their recycling programs to the community, accepting clean black plastic and baby food pouches for responsible recycling. However, these are temporary solutions, and a permanent fix for the public recycling infrastructure is needed.
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Toronto's new recycling rules
Toronto's recycling rules have been updated to include certain kinds of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers. The city has added some plastic bags to the list of recyclables, but it's important to note that not all plastic bags are acceptable. The ones that can be recycled are the ones you get at grocery stores, without any hard plastic handles, drawstrings, or metal on them. Plastic food wraps are excluded as they may contaminate the recycling process.
The city has also started accepting some Styrofoam containers for recycling, but again, there are restrictions. So-called packing peanuts, used to protect shipped products, are not accepted, nor is anything made from hard plastic, like plates, glasses, cutlery, clear egg cartons, plastic models, and CD and DVD cases.
In addition to these changes, Toronto has also implemented a 5-cent charge for all plastic bags provided by stores, encouraging residents to bring their own reusable bags.
It's worth noting that black plastic, such as takeout containers and garbage bags, is not accepted in the city's recycling program due to the lack of a stable market for this material and the inability of optical sorting technology to recognize it.
While there is no universal set of recycling rules, Toronto's new regulations aim to reduce confusion and ensure harmonized materials city-wide. The city has also introduced a Waste Wizard tool to help residents determine whether an item can be recycled, and how to properly dispose of it.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic cutlery is not recyclable in Toronto. The City of Toronto does not accept any black and/or compostable plastic (e.g. food containers, bags, cutlery) in its recycling program.
The City of Toronto has recently started allowing some plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in its Blue Bin recycling program. However, not all plastic bags are acceptable. The ones you get at grocery stores are okay, but if they have drawstrings, hard plastic handles, or metal on them, they will be left behind.
There are two main reasons for this: there is no stable market for the volume of black plastic generated in Toronto, and black plastic cannot be sorted mechanically at the recycling facility because the optical sorting technology cannot recognize it.
