September 2018
Toronto is implementing fines to condo corporations failing to separate organics and recycling from trash. Condo communities should be looking more closely at these and related costs of failing to separate their waste.
Toronto condo buildings cited by the city can expect to pay more to handle waste generated by building residents. Higher costs may include fines by the city for improper sorting of waste, private collection of waste and/or increased internal sorting costs.
Condo buildings that want to avoid the costs of improper waste separation can follow best practices for waste separation, as recommended by Wilkinson Chutes:
- Converting a single garbage chute to a tri-sorter capable of handling separated recycling, organics and trash
- Delivery of recyclables and organics to a central location and depositing in separate bins
- Separate designated area for used cooking oil – best to provide residents with a separate container for transport to avoid spills and damage to common areas
These practices, properly implemented, could reduce generated garbage by up to 90%. Elimination of cooking oil in drains could save tens of thousands of dollars in annual drain clearing costs.
