DESCRIPTION OF INTERACTIVE 

Waste Management

Toronto is the largest city in Canada, and you can imagine with a population of over 2.7 million people there is a lot of waste produced each day. Like many other municipalities in Ontario, the City of Toronto has a waste diversion program that helps to keep waste out of the landfill site. Their curbside pick up includes waste bins, recycling bins (blue or grey bins) and organics bins (also sometimes called green bins). 

Although each municipality has different regulations on waste diversion classification, let us see how you tackle sorting common household items into the City of Toronto’s waste management system. Choose the appropriate bin for each item then check the answer to see if you are correct. 

Keurig Coffee Pods: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer:  Waste Bin 

Paper Coffee Cup: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer:  Waste Bin 

Plastic lid on coffee cup: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer: Recycling bin 

Plastic produce bag: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer: Recycling Bin 

Plastic beverage rings: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer: Waste Bin 

Clear plastic clamshell containers: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer:  Recycling Bin

Diaper: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer:   Organics bin 

Styrofoam take out container: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer:  Recycling Bin 

Plastic Fork: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer: Recycling Bin

Tissue: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer: Organics Bin

Toilet paper roll: Waste Bin, Recycling Bin or Organics Bin?

Answer: Recycling Bin 

Now that you know how household items can be disposed of, how can you take it one step further and divert these and other similar items out of the waste-management system all together? What strategies can you think of that would help people produce less waste? Jot down some of your ideas. Did you consider the following: 

• Reuse items,
• Borrow or rent items,
• Donate items,
• Share or swap with friends,
• Shop with the long term in mind.

It is important that you remember that each community has their own waste regulations so it is best that you check out the online “waste wizard” tool for your local area to ensure that you’re putting items in the correct bin.