ReduceWasteTO: Reducing Single-Use and Takeaway Items
In June 2021, Toronto City Council approved the voluntary Reducing Single-Use program to help reduce single-use and takeaway items in Toronto. The ReduceWasteTO program is design to encourage and enable business to take action and eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in their operations.
The City of Toronto is hosting a Reducing Single-Use Program Webinar titled Guidance on Foodservice Ware and Accessory Items Product Alternatives for Businesses. Taking place on June 7th from 10:30am-11:30am. Register today!
The webinar will:
share information to help you choose more environmentally compatible foodservice ware products for your business
explain why black plastic and expanded polystyrene foam containers are difficult to capture and recycle
provide clarity on the organics processing issues related to products labelled as compostable/biodegradable
Reducing Single Use Information/Tips
Ways to Take Action
Single-use accessory items (such as eating utensils, straws, stir sticks, condiment packets, napkins, and beverage takeout trays).
Adopt ‘Ask-First/By-Request’ practices in your operations where staff will first ask if they need an item, or wait for customers to request single-use accessory items before giving them out. For example:
Place these items behind the counter and provide them only if a customer asks for them
Make these items optional in your take-out orders, including online ordering and delivery apps
Use dispensers for these items to help ensure customers and staff take fewer items at one time
Single-use cups and containers
Accept reusable cups and containers provided by customers for any prepared foods or beverages, including leftovers from dine-in service. For Public Health guidance, review the Reusables: Public Health Regulations & Guidance for Food Premises section on this web page.
Allow customers to bring reusable beverage cups or takeout containers.
Encourage customers to bring their own reusables by advertising this option in-store, on your website, or on your social media accounts.
Use washable, reusable dishes and eating utensils to serve dine-in customers.
Use a reusable take-out container service.
Shopping bags (paper and plastic)
Accept reusable shopping bags or other containers provided by customers, including backpacks, closed-bottom tote boxes or bins.
Post in-store signage and social media content to encourage customers to bring their reusable bags and containers.
Offer incentives such as store discounts or credits to customers who bring their own reusable bags or containers.
Offer customers the option to use surplus cardboard boxes from store inventory orders.
Charge a fee for single-use shopping bags.
Do not provide single-use shopping bags.
Implement a bag, box, or container return program, which customers can use if they do not bring their own reusable bags or containers.
Foam (expanded polystyrene) takeout cups and containers & black plastic containers.
Do not use foam and black plastic takeout containers. Black plastic is not accepted in the City’s Blue Bin Program. Instead use items such as:
Clear clamshell plastic containers
Plastic containers in colours other than black
Tin/aluminum containers or trays
Paper/cardboard containers, plates or cups without wax or plastic lining
Allow customers to provide their own containers for takeout.
Plastic and plastic-lined items labelled as compostable or bio-degradable
Avoid plastic and plastic lined items labelled as compostable or biodegradable, which are not accepted in the City’s Blue Bin or Green Bin Program. Learn more about these items, and about what materials are accepted in the Green Bin.
Choose recyclable alternatives and allow reusable options:
Use containers and other items made from materials that can be recycled. Learn more about what materials are accepted in the Blue Bin.
Allow customers to bring their own containers and cups for takeout
Reasons to Reduce Single-Use
Single-use accessory items (such as eating utensils, straws, stir sticks, condiment packets, napkins, and beverage takeout trays) are generally not recyclable or compostable, and are common litter items.
Single-use and takeaway items require valuable resources and energy to produce, collect, process and dispose of.
Foam containers can have serious impacts on the environment because they break down into little pieces that are easily ingested by fish and animals.
Foam containers are difficult and costly to recycle.
Black plastic cannot be sorted mechanically at the City’s recycling facility, so is not accepted in the Blue Bin Recycling Program and is sent to landfill.
Take-out containers that are soiled with food and other residue can contaminate otherwise clean recyclables, resulting in entire loads being sent to landfill.
Plastic items labelled as compostable and biodegradable, as well as plastic lined products, such as hot beverage cups, that are put in the Green Bin are screened out and end up in landfill. The Green Bin program was designed primarily to handle food waste as well as some fibre/paper products (like tissue and paper towel). It was not designed to process single-use items, products or packaging – even those labelled compostable or biodegradable. Learn more about what should go into your Green Bin (organics).
Plastic items labelled as compostable and biodegradable are not recyclable, as they are made of materials that are meant to break down quickly as opposed to conventional plastics, which have a much longer lifespan and can be recycled into a new product. Once recyclables are collected and sorted, they are baled and sold to partially offset the operational costs. Plastic items labelled as compostable and biodegradable will lower the quality of the plastic bales making them less valuable and more difficult to sell. Learn more about what should go into your Blue Bin (recycling).
Already eliminating the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in your operations?
Complete the Reducing Single-Use Program Application and demonstrate your commitment to be a part of Toronto’s efforts to become a zero waste and circular city.
Eligible businesses who complete the application and accept the program terms and conditions will be added to the first edition of an online directory which will be available to customers. The city may also use this information to showcase businesses as case studies on this web page.
Sign up for the Reducing Single-Use program today! Benefits include:
Access to resources for your business to successfully comply with existing and upcoming restrictions to transition away from single-use and takeaway items
Participation in an online City Directory to let residents know where they can shop to reduce waste and connect businesses with service providers that will help them reduce single-use waste.
A webinar series on a variety of topics including practical ways to take action to reduce single-use waste, best practices in accepting reusables from your customers, alternatives to foam and black plastic containers, and more
