Household recycling, organic wastes and garbage policy

Approved by the Board of Directors, December 20, 2025
Approved with the amendment to Article 2.2 (a) by the Board of Directors on November 5, 2024

1. General

(a)  Waste services include recycling (blue bin), organic waste (green bin), garbage (grey bin) and oversized and metal items pickup.

(b)  No trash, garbage or unsightly debris should be stored on balconies, porches, patios, backyards, laneways, under porch steps or in doorways.

(c)  Street access residents should keep their front area clean.

(d)  Garbage put anywhere except in designated areas is contrary to Co-op rules and City ordinances. No resident, including children, shall litter any common area of the Co-op: halls, stairs, sidewalks, roads, parking garage, etc. No resident shall throw garbage or shake rugs or mops from windows or balconies, or in hallways.

(e)  Households must follow the rules set by the waste collector, e.g. the City of Toronto, which may change from time to time.

(f)  A member must clean up any mess created by his/her pet through natural body functions or otherwise. Residents with pets must keep yards, patios, and balconies clean and free of animal feces.

(g)  Residents shall not do or permit anything to be done in their premises which will significantly increase the risk of fire.

(h)  Residents must not store gasoline, oil, large quantities of paint or other highly flammable or dangerous materials in their units or garages.

(i)  Woodsworth members pay for household trash pickup only. Do not use our household services for commercial trash.

2. Mid-rise units:

2.1. Garbage:

(a)  Apartment residents must place garbage in the chutes provided on each floor. All garbage must be in securely tied bags which are small enough to fit down the chute.

(b)  No garbage may be left in the hallways or garbage chute rooms.

(c)  Do not put glass, bottles, cans newspapers, magazines in the garbage chutes. Take them to the recycling bins in the underground garage.

2.2. Recycling and organic waste:

(a)  Recycling / wet garbage bins are in the compactor room in the garage for organic waste and material for recycling. The area is cordoned off and has a card reader and an automatic door operator for that door.

(b)  Apartment residents must place newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans in the collection depot in the garage designated by the co-op.

2.3. Oversized and metal items (e.g. unwanted furniture):

(a)  Apartment residents (only) must use the cage on the garage ramp. Street access units cannot use the cage which is for apartments and staff use only.

(b)  For more information about what goes where, use the City of Toronto’s online Waste Wizard.

3. Street access units (Including Wilton street):

3.1. Garbage, recycling and organic waste

(a)  Waste services include organic waste (green bin), garbage (grey bin) and oversized and metal items with curbside pickup by the City of Toronto. Circular Materials is responsible for recycling (blue bin), mandated by the province of Ontario.

(b) Don’t flush wipes of any kind, even those labelled as flushable or biodegradable, nor sanitary supplies, dental floss, condoms, or personal hygiene products. These go in the garbage. For more information about what goes where, use the City of Toronto’s online Waste Wizard.

(c)  Households must follow the rules set by the City of Toronto which may change from time to time.

(d)  Blue Bins and garbage are collected alternate Wednesdays. (in 2026)

(e)  Organic waste is collected weekly on the same day as the other pickups. (in 2026)

(f)  The co-op pays a higher annual rate for larger garbage containers. Residents can change the size of their garbage bin by calling 311 or making a request online on the City website.

(g)  Recycling: Blue Bin program
– https://www.woodsworthcoop.ca/index.php/recycling-blue-box-program/

(h)  Instructions for street access units:

  • Townhouse residents and street access residents must place bins and items on the street only on collection days, at curbside before 7 a.m. the day of collection and no earlier than 8 p.m. the night before.
  • Ensure bins are as close to the street as possible, clearly visible and accessible with 0.5 metres between bins. Never place items or bins behind or on snowbanks.
  • Ensure bin lids are properly closed to prevent litter from blowing.
  • Leave space around all bins and items so the trucks’ automated arms can grab and lift bins.
  • When moving, bins remain property of the City and must stay at the property.

3.2. Oversized and metal items (e.g. unwanted furniture, appliances):

(a)  The City will pick up oversized items set out beside your garbage bin on your garbage collection day. The co-op pays an annual rate per year to the City, whether or not the service is used.(b)  Street access units cannot use the cage on the garage ramp. That is for apartments and staff use only.

3.3. Yard Waste:

(a)  You must use paper yard waste bags for city pickup on garbage days. Branches and twigs less than 3 inches thick (7.5 cm) must be tied in bundles less than 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet long.

(b)  The City recommends that grass clippings be left on the lawn.

(c)  Yard waste is not collected in the winter.

(d)  The City delivers a waste calendar to all street access units. It is also available on their website.

4. Household hazardous waste (HHW) – all households

(a)  You can’t put some items in your garbage or recycling, such as propane tanks, syringes, cooking oil, household cleaners, paint, pesticides, batteries, etc. Never pour cooking oil down the sink, drain or toilet.

(b)  You can bring them (HHW) to a Drop-Off Depot. Cooking oil should be delivered in a sealed container labelled “used cooking oil”.

(c)  Home pick-up is available for household hazardous waste between 10-50 litres/ kilograms. To arrange pick up, please call 311 or complete an online service request.

(d)  There is no charge for drop-off or pick-up of household hazardous waste.

(e)  Watch for city-run environment days which offers disposal services for these and more types of waste.

(f)  Some electronics and batteries can be recycled at some stores selling these items.

(g)  For more information, see the City of Toronto 311 website:

https://www.toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-service/waste-collection/

Syringes

This item is Household Hazardous Waste and MUST NOT be placed in your Garbage Bin, Blue Bin, Green Bin or put down the drain.

Put these items in a sealed container labeled “needles” and:
• Return them to your local pharmacy
• Take them to a City Drop-Off Depot
• Take them to a Community Environment Day sponsored by your local city councillor and the City of Toronto.
• For household hazardous waste (HHW) between 10 to 50 litres/kilograms, residents can also request a free Toxic Taxi pick-up online or by calling 311.

Consider reducing the waste from your household:

Refuse – Say ‘no’ to bags, receipts, extra napkins and cutlery. Avoid produce and other items wrapped in too much packaging.

Reuse – Use reusable bags for shopping and gift giving, reusable bottles and mugs instead of disposables.

Repurpose – Find new uses for things you would otherwise throw away.

Swap, borrow/share/rent, repair, donate, shop consciously – plan ahead, buy only what you need and consider the impact of packaging when making purchases.

Getting more information:

City of Toronto’s Waste Wizard – what waste goes where:
https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/waste-wizard/

Information from the City of Toronto about garbage, organics (green bin):
https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/

Recycling – Circular Materials
This non-profit is mandated by the provincial government to provide recycling.

https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/toronto/

https://www.circularmaterials.ca/city-of-toronto-recycling-calendars/

Garbage room and the recycling project: changes are coming

Garbage Room and the Recycling Project: Changes are Coming
– Board of Directors and the Waste Reduction Committee
From: The Weekly, March 22, 2026

History: when our co-op was built there was no recycling ♻️ and the basement garbage room was for garbage only, with no public access. As we moved forward the co-op eventually acquired recycling bins. These were kept in the underground parking, outside the garbage room. However, during an inspection by TORONTO FIRE we were advised that no combustible items can be kept in the underground parking area, including our recycling bins. As a result, the bins were moved into the garbage room. The large organics bin was also introduced at some point, and is also kept in the garbage room. We can all agree this room is in bad shape .

Recently, the Waste Reduction Committee was formed and began to look at how the co-op disposes of its waste. The committee and the Board, with assistance from Reliable Maintenance, looked at how to best utilize the garbage room, and what is needed to upgrade it. The Waste Reduction Committee recently applied for a grant which, if successful, will help with the cost of this project.

WHAT WE ARE DOING:  We will be reorganizing and enhancing our recycling program by setting up a Recycled Items Depot, repairing the floor, adding drains, coating and painting the floor and walls. We will also be adding ventilation, improvements to lighting and an ultraviolet pest control system . The work will start shortly . During this time, access to this room will be restricted. But garbage, recycling  and composting bins will be still be available

WHEN: Work will begin on March 25 and will be completed in approximately 5 days. We are endeavoring to complete this project as quickly as possible and with as little inconvenience to the members. The contractor will be working through the weekend.

ATTENTION: In order to complete the work, the garbage chutes will be closed during this time. There will be a garbage bin in the basement and we kindly ask the members to take their garbage there. The green compost bin for organic waste, and the blue bin for recycling will located outside by the cage.

We thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.

Recycling, green bin (organic) and garbage schedule 2026

The day for street access units for organic material, recycling and garbage is Wednesday.
Organic (green bin) is every Wednesday.
Recycling is every other Wednesday.
Garbage is every other Wednesday – opposite week to recycling.

Circular Materials webpage for Toronto residents:
https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/toronto/

Blue bin recycling

Blue Bin Recycling in Toronto (Effective January 1, 2026)

Starting January 1, 2026, Toronto’s Blue Bin recycling program will no longer be delivered by the City of Toronto. Instead, it will be managed by Circular Materials, as required under a new Provincial regulation.

Green bin (organics) and garbage are still be picked up by the City of Toronto.

Why is this changing?

Under Ontario’s new rules, producers of recyclable materials are now fully responsible for collecting and managing recycling. As a result, a private organization—Circular Materials—will oversee recycling services across Ontario.

What stays the same

  • Pickup day: For street-access homes, your recycling pickup day does not change from 2025.
  • For Woodsworth, pickup will remain on every second Wednesday.
  • Garbage, Green Bin, and large items:  These services remain with the City of Toronto.

What’s changing

Blue Bins are no longer city-run. 311 can still be contacted for:
Garbage
Green Bin
Large items
👉 311 will NOT handle Blue Bin recycling issues.

Recycling help & issues (Blue Bin only)

Information on what can be recycled & FAQs:
https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/toronto/

Missed pickup, bin repair, or other recycling issues:

Use the online reporting link on the website above
Or call 1-888-921-2686

Recycle anywhere in Ontario

  • No matter where you are in the province—at home or away—you’ll be able to recycle the same materials everywhere.
  • Recycle more (new materials accepted starting January 1, 2026)

Examples include:

Black plastic containers
Hot and cold beverage cups (including coffee cups)
Frozen juice containers
Ice cream tubs
Deodorant and toothpaste tubes