Category: By-Laws & Policies

Approved by the Board of Directors, June 15, 2021. Updated January 2, 2024 for Article 2.2 (a).

1. General

(a)  Waste services include recycling (blue bin), organic waste (green bin), garbage (grey bin) and oversized and metal items pickup.

(b)  No trash, garbage or unsightly debris should be stored on balconies, porches, patios, backyards, laneways, under porch steps or in doorways.

(c)  Street access residents should keep their front area clean.

(d)  Garbage put anywhere except in designated areas is contrary to Co-op rules and City ordinances. No resident, including children, shall litter any common area of the Co-op: halls, stairs, sidewalks, roads, parking garage, etc. No resident shall throw garbage or shake rugs or mops from windows or balconies, or in hallways.

(e)  Households must follow the rules set by the waste collector, e.g. the City of Toronto, which may change from time to time.

(f)  A member must clean up any mess created by his/her pet through natural body functions or otherwise. Residents with pets must keep yards, patios, and balconies clean and free of animal feces.

(g)  Residents shall not do or permit anything to be done in their premises which will significantly increase the risk of fire.

(h)  Residents must not store gasoline, oil, large quantities of paint or other highly flammable or dangerous materials in their units or garages.

(i)  Woodsworth members pay for household trash pickup only. Do not use our household services for commercial trash.

2. Mid-rise units:

2.1. Garbage:

(a)  Apartment residents must place garbage in the chutes provided on each floor. All garbage must be in securely tied bags which are small enough to fit down the chute.

(b)  No garbage may be left in the hallways or garbage chute rooms.

(c)  Do not put glass, bottles, cans newspapers, magazines in the garbage chutes. Take them to the recycling bins in the underground garage.

2.2. Recycling and organic waste:

(a)  Recycling / wet garbage bins are in the compactor room in the garage for organic waste and material for recycling. The area is cordoned off and has a card reader and an automatic door operator for that door.

(b)  Apartment residents must place newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans in the collection depot in the garage designated by the co-op.

2.3. Oversized and metal items (e.g. unwanted furniture):

(a)  Apartment residents (only) must use the cage on the garage ramp. Street access units cannot use the cage which is for apartments and staff use only.

(b)  For more information about what goes where, use the City of Toronto’s online Waste Wizard.

3. Street access units (Including Wilton street):

3.1. Garbage, recycling and organic waste

(a)  Waste services include recycling (blue bin), organic waste (green bin), garbage (grey bin) and oversized and metal items with curbside pickup by the City of Toronto.

(b) Don’t flush wipes of any kind, even those labelled as flushable or biodegradable, nor sanitary supplies, dental floss, condoms, or personal hygiene products. These go in the garbage. For more information about what goes where, use the City of Toronto’s online Waste Wizard.

(c)  Households must follow the rules set by the City of Toronto which may change from time to time.

(d)  Blue Bins and garbage are collected alternate Wednesdays. (in 2021)

(e)  Organic waste is collected weekly on the same day. (in 2021)

(f)  The co-op pays a higher annual rate for larger garbage containers. Residents can change the size of their garbage bin by calling 311 or making a request online on the City website.

(g)  When moving, bins remain property of the City and must stay at the property.

• Townhouse residents and street access residents must place bins and items on the street only on collection days, at curbside before 7 a.m. the day of collection and no earlier than 8 p.m. the night before.
• Ensure bins are as close to the street as possible, clearly visible and accessible with 0.5 metres between bins. Never place items or bins behind or on snowbanks.
• Ensure bin lids are properly closed to prevent litter from blowing.
• Leave space around all bins and items so the trucks’ automated arms can grab and lift bins.

3.2. Oversized and metal items (e.g. unwanted furniture, appliances):

(a)  The City will pick up oversized items set out beside your garbage bin on your garbage collection day. The co-op pays an annual rate per year to the City, whether or not the service is used.(b)  Street access units cannot use the cage on the garage ramp. That is for apartments and staff use only.

3.3. Yard Waste:

(a)  You must use paper yard waste bags for city pickup on garbage days. Branches and twigs less than 3 inches thick (7.5 cm) must be tied in bundles less than 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet long.

(b)  The City recommends that grass clippings be left on the lawn.

(c)  Yard waste is not collected in the winter.

(d)  The City delivers a waste calendar to all street access units. It is also available on their website.

4. Household hazardous waste (HHW) – all households

(a)  You can’t put some items in your garbage or recycling, such as propane tanks, syringes, cooking oil, household cleaners, paint, pesticides, batteries, etc. Never pour cooking oil down the sink, drain or toilet.

(b)  You can bring them (HHW) to a Drop-Off Depot. Cooking oil should be delivered in a sealed container labelled “used cooking oil”.

(c)  Home pick-up is available for household hazardous waste between 10-50 litres/ kilograms. To arrange pick up, please call 311 or complete an online service request.

(d)  There is no charge for drop-off or pick-up of household hazardous waste.

(e)  Watch for city-run environment days which offers disposal services for these and more types of waste.

(f)  Some electronics and batteries can be recycled at some stores selling these items.

(g)  For more information, see the City of Toronto 311 website:

https://www.toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-service/waste-collection/

Syringes

This item is Household Hazardous Waste and MUST NOT be placed in your Garbage Bin, Blue Bin, Green Bin or put down the drain.

Put these items in a sealed container labeled “needles” and:
• Return them to your local pharmacy
• Take them to a City Drop-Off Depot
• Take them to a Community Environment Day sponsored by your local city councillor and the City of Toronto.
• For household hazardous waste (HHW) between 10 to 50 litres/kilograms, residents can also request a free Toxic Taxi pick-up online or by calling 311.

Consider reducing the waste from your household:

Refuse – Say ‘no’ to bags, receipts, extra napkins and cutlery. Avoid produce and other items wrapped in too much packaging.

Reuse – Use reusable bags for shopping and gift giving, reusable bottles and mugs instead of disposables.

Repurpose – Find new uses for things you would otherwise throw away.

Swap, borrow/share/rent, repair, donate, shop consciously – plan ahead, buy only what you need and consider the impact of packaging when making purchases.

Getting more information:

City of Toronto’s Waste Wizard – what waste goes where. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/waste-wizard/

Information about recycling, organics (green bin) and more is also online. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/