The City of Toronto is taking a leadership role in addressing single-use waste with the launch of its latest ReduceWasteTO program – Reducing Single-Use. The new program is the first stage of the City’s Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy.
Through this program, the City will provide businesses with examples of simple actions that they can take to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items. The program will also recognize and showcase the leadership of businesses already taking action to eliminate waste from single-use and takeaway items, as well as service providers with innovative business solutions or a service that is helping businesses reduce single-use waste.
A single-use or takeaway item is any product designed to be used once, which is then disposed of in the garbage, Blue Bin (recycling) or Green Bin (organics). Typically, these items are not designed for durability or reuse. Single-use and takeaway items require valuable resources and energy to be produced, collected and disposed of. They often end up in landfill or as litter, which can pose risks to the environment, animals and people.
The Reducing Single-Use program supports the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and Long Term Waste Management Strategy, which sets aspirational goals of a zero waste future and moving towards a circular economy in Toronto.
All Toronto businesses are encouraged to visit the City’s Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items webpage to find out what they can do to help reduce the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in their operations.
Businesses already taking the initiative to reduce their waste from single-use and takeaway items are encouraged to complete the City’s new online survey to share success stories and innovative business solutions to be included in the first edition of the online directory, which will be published at a later date. The directory will let residents know where they can shop to reduce waste and will connect businesses with service providers that will help them reduce single-use waste.
Quotes:
“We know single-use items are a problem. This waste reduction program for businesses works to address plastics and other single-use items and supports our established commitment as a City to reduce single-use and takeaway items. Now is the time to encourage and enable Toronto businesses to voluntarily reduce the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in their day-to-day operations. I want to thank all of the businesses across Toronto that are already taking action to reduce their single-use waste.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The Reducing Single-Use program will be phased in over the next few years and builds on the momentum of public support heard during the City’s consultations on single-use and takeaway items. The City of Toronto is committed to helping businesses reduce their usage of single-use and takeaway items and will continue to seek feedback on how to enhance available resources. ”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter 
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