Item - 2018.PW30.4

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Received the report (May 17, 2018) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services for information.

This report outlines how the City of Toronto will consider the addition of new materials to its Blue Bin Recycling and Green Bin Organics Waste Diversion Programs. It introduces a transparent process that brand owners and packaging manufacturers can refer to when designing new product packaging. It also includes the City's expectations regarding cost recovery measures for testing the behaviour of new materials in its processing facilities and any financial impacts to its integrated waste management system as a result of new material addition.

The Addition of New Materials to the City's Waste Diversion Programs Policy (Adapt Policy) integrates Circular Economy principles such as shifting towards a 100 per cent Extended Producer Responsibility model that supports maximum utility and recovery of products and packaging and treats them as resources with value. Stakeholder engagement was undertaken in order to gather comments and feedback on the Adapt Policy. This has been considered and reflected in the updated Adapt Policy.

The Adapt Policy framework can be modeled by other local governments and can set a foundation for standardization across the province in the absence of other guiding regulations.