Toronto Recycling Guide

♻️ your blue bin is collected every other week. here's what goes in it (and what definitely doesn't).

What Goes in the Blue Bin

PAPER & CARDBOARD
  newspapers, flyers, magazines
  cardboard boxes (flatten them)
  paper bags, envelopes
  wrapping paper (non-metallic)
  phone books, catalogues
  paper egg cartons
  paper cups (empty)

CONTAINERS
  plastic bottles & jugs (#1-7)
  plastic clamshells & tubs
  metal food cans & lids
  aluminum foil & trays (clean)
  glass bottles & jars (empty)
  milk/juice cartons & tetra paks
  aerosol cans (empty)
  spiral wound cans (like Pringles)

What Does NOT Go in the Blue Bin

NOT RECYCLING — these go somewhere else:
  plastic bags ---------> return to grocery store
  styrofoam ------------> drop-off depot
  electronics ----------> drop-off depot
  batteries ------------> drop-off depot
  textiles/clothing ----> donation bin
  ceramics/mirrors -----> garbage
  diapers -------------> green bin
  food scraps ----------> green bin
  pizza boxes (greasy) -> green bin
  garden hose ----------> garbage
  tanglers (wires) -----> garbage

Common Mistakes

things people get wrong all the time:

  ✗ putting recycling in plastic bags
    → the bags jam sorting machines.
      put items loose in the bin.

  ✗ "wishcycling" (tossing stuff in hoping
    it's recyclable)
    → when in doubt, it's garbage.
      one wrong item can contaminate
      an entire load.

  ✗ not rinsing containers
    → a quick rinse is all it takes.
      doesn't have to be spotless.

  ✗ shredded paper
    → too small to sort. put it in
      a paper bag, then in the bin.

  ✗ black plastic containers
    → sorting machines can't detect them.
      these go in the garbage.

Not sure about something specific?

The City of Toronto has a Waste Wizard that can tell you exactly where any item goes.