Maya Ellison
Toronto, like many other cities, is facing a significant challenge when it comes to recycling plastic waste. While the city has implemented recycling programs and expanded the list of acceptable soft plastics, there are still concerns about the effectiveness of plastic recycling in the city. Some sources claim that despite recycling efforts, plastic waste often ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to environmental pollution. The city has taken steps to address this issue, such as installing new lids on recycling bins in parks, but there is still a long way to go. Understanding which types of plastic are recyclable in Toronto is a crucial step towards improving the city's recycling rates and reducing plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bottles and jars | Recycled into something else, such as plastic park benches or polyester carpets |
| Plastic bags/over-wrap | Recycle separately |
| Shredded paper | Put in a clear plastic bag |
| Paper | Put pieces smaller than a business card in an envelope or a clear bag of shredded paper |
| Foam | Put pieces smaller than 10 cm x 10 cm in the garbage |
| Black plastic | Not accepted in the City's recycling program |
| Compostable and biodegradable plastics | Not recyclable |
| Plastic-lined paper | Goes in the garbage |
| Hot and cold paper beverage cups | To be placed in Blue Bins at City-serviced locations |
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What You'll Learn
Black plastic containers are not recyclable
Toronto has been working to divert as much waste as possible from landfills. However, the city's recycling bins are often contaminated with non-recyclable items, such as containers with food and liquid in them, black plastic, and pet waste. Black plastic containers are not recyclable in Toronto and must be disposed of in the garbage. This is because black plastic is often made with carbon black, a substance that gives it its black colour and causes it to absorb, rather than reflect, infrared light. As a result, optical sorting technology in recycling facilities cannot detect it, and it ends up in landfills.
Black plastic is also more likely to contain unregulated amounts of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and flame retardants, which pose a hazard to human health and the environment. These toxins can leach into food and the soil and waterways, causing harm to humans, animals, and the planet. In addition, when black plastic ends up in recycling centres, it can contaminate other plastics, increasing the hazard levels of toxins.
While some people in Toronto argue that the city does not recycle any plastic, there are reports that indicate otherwise. For example, the city has expanded its list of soft plastics that can be recycled. Additionally, some plastic items, such as bottles and jars, are recycled into other products, such as park benches or polyester carpets. However, it is important to note that the recycling process for plastic is complex and volatile, and the market demand for recycled plastic can influence whether it is recycled or sent to landfills.
To reduce the impact of black plastic on the environment, it is recommended to avoid purchasing products packaged in black plastic containers and to choose clear or light-coloured plastic instead. It is also suggested to reuse or repurpose black plastic containers whenever possible and to separate them from other recyclables. Some local recyclers may have a separate process for black plastic.
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Plastic bags and over-wrap must be separated from paper
Toronto has a Blue Bin recycling program that collects recyclables from virtually every home and business in the city. The program is designed to divert as much waste as possible from landfills. However, the presence of non-recyclable items in recycling bins can contaminate the entire batch, reducing the value of the recyclables or rendering them worthless.
To recycle effectively, it is important to separate plastic bags and over-wrap from paper. This is because plastic bags and over-wrap are made from different types of plastic that cannot be easily recycled. For example, bubble wrap, which falls into the same category as plastic grocery bags, can be recycled, but it is not collected through curbside recycling as it would damage the sorting machinery. Similarly, plastic bags and over-wrap, such as those used for newspapers, flyers, magazines, and water or soft drink cases, need to be separated from the paper and recycled separately.
Additionally, plastic-lined paper, such as instant oatmeal packs, should be placed in the garbage. To check if paper is lined with plastic, rip it slowly. If plastic lining is visible, the item should be discarded. This is because the plastic lining can contaminate the paper, rendering it unrecyclable.
It is also important to note that not all plastic items are recyclable. For example, black plastic, such as takeout containers and garbage bags, is not accepted in Toronto's recycling program due to the lack of a stable market for the volume of black plastic generated and the inability of optical sorting technology to recognize it for mechanical sorting. Compostable and biodegradable plastics are also not recyclable as they are meant to break down rather than be made into new products.
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Plastic-lined paper goes in the garbage
Plastic-lined paper, such as instant oatmeal packs, should be thrown in the garbage. To check if paper is lined with plastic, rip it slowly. If you notice any plastic lining, it belongs in the garbage.
The City of Toronto's Blue Bin recycling program does not accept all items with a recycling symbol. Flexible multi-layered packaging, such as stand-up pouches, is another example of an item that goes in the garbage.
Black plastic, including takeout containers and black garbage bags, is also not accepted in the City's recycling program. This is because 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 as the optical sorting technology cannot recognize it.
Other non-recyclable items include coffee pods, even those labelled or marketed as recyclable, as coffee grounds are often left within them, which can ruin other items in the bin, such as paper and cardboard. While compostable and biodegradable plastics may seem like a more environmentally friendly option, they are also not recyclable. This is because they are made of materials meant to break down rather than be transformed into something new. When these types of plastics get mixed with conventional plastics at the recycling facility, they lower the quality of the plastic bales, making them less valuable and more challenging to sell.
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Biodegradable plastics are not recyclable
Toronto has been working to divert as much waste as possible from landfills. However, the city's recycling bins are often contaminated with non-recyclable items, such as containers with food and liquid residues, black plastic, and pet waste. This contamination ruins otherwise recyclable materials, ultimately sending them to landfills.
The City of Toronto specifies that all black and/or compostable plastic should be placed in the garbage. Biodegradable plastics are not recyclable because they are designed to break down, unlike materials that can be recycled and transformed into something new. When biodegradable plastics are mixed with conventional plastics at recycling facilities, they lower the quality of the plastic bales, making them less valuable and more challenging to sell.
Biodegradable and compostable plastics are increasingly available on store shelves as consumers seek more environmentally friendly options. However, the assumption that these products are inherently more sustainable is not always accurate. While they can play a role in reducing waste, they are not a comprehensive solution to plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastics may not fully break down in natural environments, and they can contaminate the recycling stream if not properly managed.
The Federal Trade Commission's "Green Guides" address deceptive marketing claims regarding biodegradability. It is specified that unqualified degradable claims for items disposed of in landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities are deceptive, as complete decomposition in these settings will not occur within a year. The ability of biobased plastics to be recycled varies, and some forms cannot be recycled with petroleum-based plastics due to chemical structure incompatibility.
To effectively manage biodegradable plastics, it is essential to refer to local recycling guidelines and only recycle items accepted by your specific program. While biodegradable plastics alone cannot solve the plastic crisis, they can be valuable in specific applications, such as compostable takeout containers that allow for the disposal of food residue and the container itself.
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Plastic bottles and jars are recycled into park benches or polyester carpets
In 2021, the City of Toronto installed new lids on 300 recycling bins in parks with a hole designed to capture empty beverage cans and bottles. The City also installed beverage bins at premium sports fields to increase the amount of recyclable material. However, the contents of recycling bins in parks are not always separated and recycled due to park-goers' inability to properly separate trash from recyclables.
Although plastic bottles and jars may not be recycled into new bottles and jars, they can find new life as park benches or polyester carpets. Recycled plastic is commonly used in various applications, such as park benches and playground equipment. Recycled polyester is also frequently used in clothing fibres and carpeting.
While some claim that plastic is not recycled by the City of Toronto and ends up in landfills, there are also reports of recycled plastic products being sold in Canada, indicating that some plastic is indeed recycled. However, it is important to note that the majority of plastic products sold in Canada are made from new plastic rather than recycled material.
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Frequently asked questions
Clear plastic containers, such as clamshells from berries, vegetables, and mixed greens, are recyclable in Toronto. However, black plastic containers are not accepted in the city's recycling program.
CDs, DVDs, toys, and compostable/biodegradable plastics are not recyclable in Toronto.
Plastic that is not recycled in Toronto ends up in landfills. Some sources claim that Toronto sends all plastic to landfills, while others state that plastic is recycled into products like park benches or polyester carpets.
