The City of Toronto is undertaking a third phase of public consultation on reducing the use of single-use and takeaway items. A single-use or takeaway item is any product designed for a single use, which is then disposed of in the garbage, Blue Bin (recycling) or Green Bin (organics). Typically, these items are not designed for durability or reuse.
Reducing single-use and takeaway items supports recommendations established in the City’s Long Term Waste Management Strategy. In 2018, City Council directed staff to develop a Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy. Staff consulted with residents and stakeholder groups on single-use plastics and takeaway items for targeted reduction and solicited input on policy tools.
In late 2019, residents and stakeholders were asked to provide feedback on specific items targeted for reduction, such as single-use eating utensils, plastic and paper bags, hot and cold drink cups, straws, and foam cups and food containers.
In March 2020, the Reduction Strategy was put on hold, as the City focused its efforts on response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Work on the Strategy has since been reinitiated and another round of public consultation will now seek feedback on the implementation timing for the proposed Reduction Strategy mandatory measures (e.g. a fee or “ask first/by-request” bylaw), additional items to be addressed through the Strategy, and the suggested fee amounts for the fee-related proposed mandatory measures.
The public will have an opportunity to provide their feedback by attending a virtual public event. Residents will also be able to share their views through an online survey. A series of consultation meetings will also be held to engage sectors including restaurants and retail, and to address accessibility and health considerations.
Virtual public events will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, February 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 16, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
An online survey is available from Tuesday, February 8 to Friday, March 4.
Those who would like to attend one of the virtual public events are asked to register in advance. Links to register and take the survey are available on the City’s Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items web page
For those unable to attend one of the virtual consultations, input can be emailed to wastestrategy@toronto.ca or mailed to: Solid Waste Management Services, City of Toronto, City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., 25th Floor East Tower, Toronto, ON M5G 1P5.
The input received from this latest phase of consultation with residents and local businesses will help to inform a report that will be considered by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in spring 2022. The report will present the final proposed Reduction Strategy mandatory measures and timelines.
