T.O. Waste Reduction Program Could Save You Grocery Money
Posted November 4, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Well-organized? Maybe not.
Efficient? That depends on who you ask.
Ambitious? Definitely.
City Hall is embarking on a multi-year plan to rid Toronto of its excess waste, with the aim to divert 70 per cent of our trash from landfills by 2010.
We’ve been telling you about the new grey bin system – and its failings – for some time.
The latest proposal targets plastic bags, coffee cups and takeout containers. By next year retailers would have to give a minimum 20 cent discount for customers using reusable hot drink cups, a minimum 10 cent discount for customers using reusable shopping bags, and by the end of 2010, retailers would have to come up with a reusable choice for takeout containers.
The plan has not yet been approved by council.
At least one retailer isn’t pleased. Tim Hortons just introduced an onsite disposal for its new cups Monday, one day before the announcement. The chain may have to change its already green cups again to suit city standards.
But that’s not likely.
“Absolutely not. Absolutely not,” vowed Nick Javor, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Tim Hortons.
“Our cup is currently recyclable. It’s compostable.”
Many of us already bring our own bags, especially to grocery stores.
“A lot of people do use these. I mean we have many customers that shop here, regulars that bring in their own bags and sometimes they just take the actual products in their hand and just walk right out,” explains Derek James of Fresh and Wild.
However, there is one part of the waste reduction that takes effect immediately: the city has banned the sale of plastic water bottles at all civic centres. By 2011, you won’t be able to buy H20 at any city facility.
And starting in December, we’ll be able to put some once-forbidden items in the blue bin: plastic bags and styrofoam packaging.
Find out more about the City’s plan here.
Coffee Could Cost Recyclers Less at Tim Hortons
City Struggles To Keep Up With Demand As New Garbage Collection Program Begins
