Canada: Toronto launches Reduce WasteTO program to achieve net zero strategy

Businesses in the city would be provided through this program, with examples of simple actions that they can take to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items.

Any product designed to be used only once is called a single-use or the takeaway item, which is then disposed of in the garbage, Blue Bin (recycling), or Green Bin (organics).

These items are not designed for durability or reuse and require valuable resources and energy to be produced, collected, and disposed of. They often end up in landfills or as litter, which can pose risks to the environment, animals, and people.

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 are supported by the Reducing Single-Use program.

All Toronto businesses are encouraged to find out what they can do to help reduce the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in their operations by visiting the City’s Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items webpage

“We know single-use items are a problem. This waste reduction program for businesses works to address plastics and other single-use items…to voluntarily reduce the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items…thank all of the businesses across Toronto that are already taking action to reduce their single-use waste,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a news release.

Businesses already taking the initiative to reduce their waste from single-use and takeaway items have been encouraged to share success stories and innovative business solutions by completing the city’s new online surve.

“The Reducing Single-Use program…builds on the momentum of public support heard during the City’s consultations on 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 said in the news release.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)