Clamshells, clear containers now OK in city blue bins
Posted September 12, 2012 5:29 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Clamshells and other clear containers can now be added to the recycling bin, diverting 2,000 tonnes of trash away from landfalls every year, the City of Toronto said Wednesday.
The changes to the blue bin program also include clear fruit and vegetable containers, clear takeout containers and molded bakery-item trays.
“This is good news for Toronto. Accepting this range of items in recycling will mean fewer materials going into the garbage and ending up in landfill,” said Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong , the chair of the public works and infrastructure committee.
The materials, described as “mixed rigid plastics,” are saved from the landfill thanks to changes in the retail industry and in recycling and sorting technology, the city said.
The Dufferin Material Recovery Facility handles about half of the city’s recycling. Over the past year, Solid Waste Management undertook a pilot project to confirm that recycling the plastics would work.
“We are excited about this next step in our recycling capability,” said Jim Harnum, general manager at Solid Waste Management Services.
“So many foods and products that we use every day are packaged in this type of plastic. Residents can now feel good about putting these items in the Blue Bin instead of the garbage.”
It will cost the city about $160,000 to recycle the plastics in 2013.
Residents can start adding the items to the blue bin in September. If a bigger blue bin is needed, residents can call 311 for a larger or extra blue bin free of charge.
Plastic items that can go in the blue bin:
• clamshell containers (hinged, clear plastic containers used for food items, such as berries and takeout) • clear fruit and vegetable containers
• clear takeout food containers
• molded bakery item trays
• plastic plates and glasses
• egg cartons
• cold beverage cups/lids
• compact disk cases (empty)
Plastic items that cannot go in the blue bin:
• takeout containers with black bottoms or tops (such as those used for roasted chicken)
• toys
• blister packs
• cassettes, CDs and DVDs
• plastic over-wrap on pop/water cartons, toilet paper and paper towels
