Green Bin Program & Waste Diversion Strategies for Multi-unit Residential Dwellings

1. Green Bin Program & Waste Diversion Strategies for Multi-unit Residential Dwellings Dan Smit Supervisor, Solid Waste Management Services City of Toronto multires@toronto.ca

2. Today’s Presentation • Background • Green Bin Program • Introduction • Implementation • Collection & Processing • Waste Diversion • Study: Survey Results • Tips for Success • Promotion & Education • Questions

3. BackgroundTarget 70 • In 2007, Council approved a Plan to reach 70% waste diversion from landfill by 2010 • stop shipments to Michigan December 31, 2010 • contribute to Province’s waste diversion target • The approved plan includes: • a number of new waste diversion initiatives, such as the launch of the Green Bin Program, and providing in-unit recycling containers to multi-residential dwellings • a volume-based rate structure for solid waste services

4. Multi Family Recycling Today Recovery rates are low for recyclable materials Multi-unit buildings place more recyclable materials in the waste stream than they do in recycling bins Have not been able to participate in the Green Bin Organics Program until now

5. The Green Bin Program captures food & organic wastes in a separate collection container The Green Bin Program has been successfully piloted in 30 buildings city-wide Green Bin Program Is Coming

6. Green Bin Program Rollout • Source separated organics program started in January • Slow implementation to start (targeted 300 buildings) • Fine tuning routing issues • Sourcing additional processing capacity • Will accelerate implementation strategy throughout 2009 • Target completion date is Aug. 31, 2010

7. Green Bin – Implementation Strategy • City staff will contact building management when ready to implement Green Bin Program (by area) • information packages will be sent inviting buildings onto program • keen buildings can request to be fast-tracked • City staff will provide container specifications for buildings to purchase collection container(s) • City staff will coordinate ordering and delivery of in-unit containers • City staff will be available to perform site visits to assist buildings throughout implementation • Collection services commence after receipt of in-unit and collection containers has been confirmed

8. Common Collection Containers It will be the building owner/property manager’s responsibility to purchase the common collection containers (or convert existing 2 or 3 yard containers) City staff will provide specifications

9. Provision of In-Unit Green Bin Containers (“Kitchen Catchers”) • The City will be providing in-unit green bin kitchen containers for all units, for all City serviced customers • Buildings must order the number of in-unit containers to reflect the number of residential units in the building • In-unit containers will be delivered to the building

10. Educational Material An introductory package will be provided to all residents with the in-unit containers A launch newsletter and Green Bin Organics information card will be included Literature is available in the top 10 languages spoken across the City by visiting the City website at toronto.ca/garbage/multi

11. Participation is Easy Residents can line their in-unit organics collection containers with plastic bags Then take their organic materials in the bag to the common drop off area Very similar to how recycling works

12. Green Bin ProgramTips for Successful Implementation • Designate a special area (near recycling drop off area) for organics • Introduce the program • Promote the program • Maintain the program (keep posters up, keep bins clean, remind residents of importance of participating)

13. Organic material is collected by the City once-a-week Presentation on processing available at: www.toronto.ca/greenbin/organics_processing/processing_css_step1.htm Organics are taken to the Organics Processing Facility Green Bin ProgramCollection and Processing

14. Organics Processing

15. End Destination: Anaerobic Digestor Facility

16. Hydropulpers

17. Digestate Product Digestate ready for windrows Process generates lots of heat, so windrows are constantly turned Heat and insects break down material further to final compost product

18. Focusing on Waste DiversionMulti-Unit Recycling Benchmarking Study • Telephone survey of 300 multi-unit residential residents conducted in August 2008 • Quantitative research conducted to determine attitudes, routines, knowledge about recycling and the City’s new initiatives

19. Benchmarking Study Results • Most residents (94%) say they have recycling facilities and use weekly • 1 in 4 residents feel they need more information on what can and cannot be recycled, more recycling bins and green bins for organics • 2/3 are aware of a new method of charging for waste, but have not heard about the new initiative from their building management or condo board • Residents living in condos are more aware of the new waste diversion initiative and are more likely to have heard about it from their condo board • Residents are aware of the Green Bin Program and want to have the program in their building • Residents want to receive information from building management because this is who they deal with regularly

20. Maximizing Waste Diversion • Provide more recycling bins • Provide adequate number of organics bins • Staff will provide guidance on proper number of bins

21. Take the Mystery out of Recycling and Organics Programs • Make it easy for residents to participate in all programs to keep as many items as possible out of garbage • Clearly mark drop off areas with information/direction • Use City provided posters and stickers

22. Go the extra mile Place only FULL garbage bins out for collection Use your garbage compactor effectively Use “safety bar” to keep lids down during compaction Have pressure set at 800 psi (as per City requirement) Shunt “loose waste” bins onto compactor to eliminate uncompacted garbage Don’t put furniture / bulky items into garbage containers Arrange for separate collection of “Durable Goods” City has begun “Re-Use” program and will expand over next few years Recycle, Recycle, Recycle! (free service!) Place recycle container in the mail room, laundry room Educate residents of newly accepted materials (polystyrene, plastic film) Participate in the free “in-unit” container program Ensure your building has adequate capacity (advise 8 cubic yards per 100 units) Green Bin organics collection is free! Update posters / educational materials at your building Educate the building management / maintenance staff (“Recycle Handbook”) Take advantage of free services provided by the City: Household Hazardous Waste collection (“Toxic Taxi”) Bulky Item / Furniture collection (“Durable Goods”) Participate in Environment Days (accept electronic wastes, HHW, etc.) Yard Waste collection (call 416-338-2010 for pickup)

23. Promotion and Education Tools • Website • www.toronto.ca/garbage/multi/index • FAQs • Recycling promotion information • Information on in-unit recycling containers • Information on Green Bin Program rollout • Online fee calculator • Presentations • Contact Information: • multires@toronto.ca • 416-396-5200

24. Promotion and Education Tools Targeting Residents • Available Literature: • Toronto Recycles information cards (available in 23 languages) • Toronto Recycles information posters • Recycling bin stickers • Recycling Handbook for Owners, Property Managers, Superintendents • Green bin information cards (available in 10 languages) • Green bin stickers • Green bin posters • Advertising: • In-lobby posters, flyers, etc. • Articles for building newsletters • Draft letters to residents • All the above can be download from website

25. Questions