Do Your Part

Boosting our recycling rate: how you can help

In Ontario, we’re recycling pioneers – and we have one of the highest waste diversion rates in North America. And while that’s good news, we know we can do even better. By 2011, we are mandated to reach a 70% recycling rate – or to divert 70% of the total waste we consume from landfill. We’re very close to that target now, but it’s still a tall order. Today, more and more of the waste that’s produced from manufacturers is hard-to-recycle or the recycled products have no end markets – it’s why we at Stewardship Ontario are committed to exploring new recycling processes and identifying new markets for the recycled products that are created when we fill our blue boxes.
 

Know the rules

The most important thing you can do is think before you toss. Despite the convenience of curbside recycling, many people don’t know exactly what goes in their blue box, and what to with the stuff that doesn’t. Us our What Goes In search box – and check back from time to time – to make sure you’re on top of what you can recycle in your community. Think of the few minutes you spend separating your recyclables and following the rules in your community as an investment in the health of our environment – and the futures of generations to come. 

Drop off hazardous products

Many of the products we routinely take for granted – things like spent batteries, leftover paint and solvent and empty oil containers – actually pose a real threat to our environment. Visit our Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste (MHSW) program to make sure none of these products are being tossed in the garbage, and that your hazardous leftovers and containers are getting the special care they need.
 

Compost your organics

According to the environment ministry, organic materials make up as much as one-third of the trash we throw out. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. Many municipalities in Ontario offer green bin or composting programs that enable you to take advantage of nature’s way of recycling. Even if there’s no program in your community, collecting your yard and kitchen scraps in a backyard composter is a great way to add much-need nutrients to garden soil and lawns.