Spring has sprung, and with it comes the perfect opportunity for a little refresh of our homes. It’s also a good time to look for ways to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle while decluttering our spaces and contributing to a greener, cleaner community.
Community Environment Days
One noteworthy city program I want to highlight is Toronto’s Community Environment Days – a waste reduction initiative. These events are part of the city’s long-term Waste Management Strategy and they play a vital role in diverting reusable and recyclable waste from landfills while ensuring the safe disposal of household hazardous waste.
Residents can stop by one of 47 in-community events throughout the city from April to September to donate common household items (sporting goods, books, clothing, and more) or properly dispose of some household hazardous waste (HHW) (batteries, lightbulbs, paints, solvents, and more). You can also pick up free compost, created from the yard waste and organic materials collected at the curb, throughout Toronto.
By donating your items, you’re helping Community Environment Days support local charities and keep items out of landfills. In 2023, 75,925 kg of electronics, 295,895 kg of HHW and 63,047 kg of reusable household goods were diverted at Community Environment Days. Visit the City of Toronto website for the full schedule and details.
Waste Wizard & TOwaste
Piggybacking off of Community Environment Days, I also want to highlight the city’s Waste Wizard – a handy tool to find out exactly where different waste items belong. Whether you’re wondering about recycling, composting or proper disposal for HHW, Waste Wizard is an easy search tool with info on properly sorting 2,500 items. You can find the Waste Wizard here or on the mobile app TOwaste – City of Toronto, which can downloaded from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
As we take on spring cleaning projects, I encourage everyone to find ways to incorporate more sustainable and eco-friendly practices into our routines.