Residents learn about new grey garbage bin system
City still addressing issues with new blue bins
It wasn't enough that Beach-Riverdale residents were forced to contend with a new set of upright blue bins. Now the city is moving forward on its next waste reduction strategy, a new grey garbage bin system with an automated collection every two weeks.
Residents must fill out an order form, which must be to the city May 21.
The new grey garbage bins are set to be delivered to Toronto residents east of Yonge Street starting in July.
Open houses in both wards took place May 12 to 16
"We're here to problem solve," said Ward 30 (Toronto-Danforth) Councillor Paula Fletcher at a Tuesday afternoon consultation at the Ralph Thornton Community Centre in Riverside.
The bins' various sizes were also on display at the consultation. A small bin can hold one large garbage bag, while a medium one holds roughly one a half bags. Those who choose a small bin receive a $10 rebate from the city. People can also request a large or extra large bin.
The new grey bins will also be on display locally at Shopper's World Danforth Saturday, May 17 from noon to 6 p.m.
"We are trying to reduce our (landfill) waste to 30 per cent. We will be diverting 70 per cent," Fletcher said.
Ward 32 (Beaches-East York) Councillor Sandra Bussin also attended an open house on the grey bins Tuesday afternoon at the Fairmount Park Recreation Centre. She said some residents found the small bin to be a little too small in light of a bi-weekly garbage collection.
Regardless, she's still confident that the recent addition of new recyclables in the blue bin would reduce garbage output.
"Technically if you are doing all the right things you could use the small (grey) bin," she said.
Residents can still discuss any ongoing blue bin issues with waste management staff by calling 316-392-BINS (2467) to schedule a home visit or switch bin size. People can exchange their bin without penalty until November.
"We cut our teeth on the blue bin and between now and July 1st we're still ironing out all the issues with the blue bin," Fletcher said, adding that she's also in the process of setting up tours of streets in her ward that have major blue bin issues with the city's director of waste management, Rob Orpin.
"People are trading in (the blue bins for a different size) and getting home visits. It's the same system for the grey bins."
On the other hand, Bussin said the blue bin rollout in her ward has been "fairly successful" and that a few residents have required individual solutions in certain close-knit pockets in her ward.
"There will actually be three bins, a new green bin as well, once we complete the whole rollout," she said.
The city will also start collecting old grey and blue boxes starting June 16.
Visit www.toronto.ca/target70 for more details about the new bins.
