A Guide To Sorting Your Trash

By sorting your home trash products, you can ensure that materials are sent to the right location for recycling and disposal, eliminating unnecessary waste in certain areas where possible and adding to a greener environment.

However, with the evolving rules and regulations regarding product sorting, many are finding it difficult to know which products go in which sorting containers. And so, within this blog, we’ll outline the trash sorting process to help you stay green in your reducing, reusing and recycling efforts!

Blue Bins are designed for Specific Household Containers

The discussion on what you can place within your blue bins has been complicated by the different types of packaging used by retailers and restaurants for their products. However, the city of Toronto has very specific rules on which products can and can’t be recycled through the Blue Bin program.

Products you CAN place in your blue bin include:

• Clamshell containers
• Clear fruit and vegetable containers
• Clear takeout containers
• Aluminum cans
• Plastic food jars
• Cold beverage cups and lids

Products that CANNOT be placed in blue bins include the following:

• Plastic plant pots and trays
• Scrap metals
• Clothing
• Bedding
• Batteries
• Waxed paper products

Use Green Bins Only for Organic Waste

The green bin program has recently been implemented to help ensure that organic products are turned into compost. While your best option would be to install a green garbage disposal in your kitchen sink, this isn’t an option for all people, especially if you’re only renting your home.

Almost half of household garbage is considered organic material, but many people struggle to determine what can be placed within their home’s green bin. Green bin-safe products include the following:

• Meat, fish
• Pasta, bread
• Cake, cookies
• Animal waste
• Animal litter
• House plants and soil
• Tissues, napkins and paper towels

The following list of products is unsafe for disposal in the green bin:

• Plastic
• Foil
• Hot drink cups
• Lids
• Dryer sheets

Grey Bins are designed for All Items that Cannot be Re-used

The grey bins we’ve long used for trash collection still serve a very important purpose within our modern environment-focused trash collection process. These bins are now used to collect any products that cannot be re-used within the city’s recycling systems. Items that should only be placed in the grey bins include the following:

• Aluminum food wrappers
• Metal appliances
• Treated Wood
• Medical waste
• Non-recyclable glass products

Use Purpose-Designed Bags for Yard Waste

It’s imperative that homeowners only use specifically-designed carrying bags to store their yard waste. The standard Kraft bags can be utilized to store leaves, sticks and other yard material. It’s also important to remember that we can help improve our own yards by composting yard waste or using it as mulch around the base of shrubs and trees.

By learning the effective techniques for sorting your home’s trash, you can become a more responsible homeowner. Review the guidance within this blog to ensure your waste products are sent to the ideal facility for effective processing.