July 2017
Omni Forest Mansions is the winner of Toronto’s Towering Challenge.
Towering Challenge was introduced as part of Toronto’s efforts to reduce landfill waste from multi-residential buildings. The contest was open to multi-residential buildings with private or city waste collection service.
Omni Forest Mansions in Scarborough is a three building complex with over 500 suites. They implemented numerous initiatives during the six month challenge:
- Bins were set up to collect items that should not be placed in trash dumpsters including paint cans, turpentine and cooking oil. These items were picked up and disposed of by the city-operated “toxic taxi” service.
- A repair café was organized to divert reusable items from landfill disposal.
- Reusable clothing and household items were donated or swapped.
- Awareness about recycling was increased.
Condo boards operating in the complex estimate $53,000 in annual savings from these efforts. It reduces disposal of items that can contaminate items to be recycled.
Over half of all Toronto residents live in condo buildings. On average, these buildings recycle 28 per cent of their waste compared to 65 per cent of waste in single-family homes.
