Textile Waste Diversion in Toronto

The City of Toronto is home to the fourth-largest municipal waste management system in North America, processing approximately 200,000 tonnes of recyclables annually through its Blue Bin Recycling Program. Textiles are one of the most common contaminants found in Toronto's blue bins. These materials drastically reduce our recycling program's effectiveness by tangling sorting machines, damaging equipment, and increasing the risk of workplace injuries. In addition to these hazards and inefficiencies, textile contamination in blue bins costs the City millions in processing fees.

As the former Chair of Public Works and Infrastructure, I introduced the City's first Long-Term Waste Management Strategy (LTWMS) to guide waste management in Toronto over the next 30 to 50 years. This ambitious plan includes recommendations to promote resource conservation, reduce our environmental impact, and maximize the value of items before disposal. The LTWMS also commits the City to divert 70 percent of waste from landfills and supports the move towards a circular economy and zero-waste future.

Last summer, I spearheaded a new initiative as a part of the LTWMS implementation by directing staff to develop a City-wide textile waste diversion program. As a result, a suite of new initiatives to address the pressing issue of improper textile waste disposal are currently underway in the Toronto.

This fall, the City officially requested the Government of Ontario to consider requiring all businesses to provide information on reuse, recycling, and disposal options at the point of purchase for textile items. Expanded access to information will make it easier for Torontonians to make conscious decisions when disposing of textile waste.

Additionally, the City is reviewing the feasibility of installing branded clothing drop boxes in Toronto, providing more opportunities for residents to responsibly dispose of their used clothing while also contributing to charitable causes. A report on this initiative is expected to come before City Council in the winter of 2021.

While there is still much work to be done to improve Toronto's waste management, we are taking important steps forward to prevent improper recycling and divert textile waste from landfill.