Item - 2020.IE12.5

That City Council amend Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendation 4 by deleting the word "second" and inserting the word "fourth" so that it now reads as follows:

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to report back in the fourth quarter of 2021 on the feasibility of introducing a new City-branded Clothing Drop Box Program on City-owned property, including, but not limited to, the following considerations:

a. Findings from jurisdictional scans and consultations with charitable textile collectors.

b. Developing criteria for fair and transparent selection of clothing drop box operators (including consideration of a requirement that limits them to registered Canadian charitable or not-for-profit organizations);

c. Determining requirements to phase out or transition from existing permitted clothing drop boxes to a City-branded program;

d. Determining requirements for City-branded clothing drop boxes (e.g. design/branding, safety, location);

e. Exploring the possibility of extending the program onto private property;

f. Introducing reporting, management and servicing requirements for Clothing Drop Box operators to determine and support environmental, financial and social outcomes (e.g. amount/weight, use and destination of items collected, climate, environmental and social impacts);

g. Conducting a triple bottom line and cost / benefit analysis and budget impacts to operate the program resulting from implementation of the above considerations.

That:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to explore the feasibility of a pilot program with a third-party supplier for the pick-up and diversion of textiles at private residences and multi-unit residential buildings.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back on a revised City regulatory framework for charitable clothing drop boxes that does not require volunteer board members of charities to assume liability related to any accidents or mishaps related to the drop box operation.

That City Council delete Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendation 4.c.

Recommendation to be deleted:

4.c. Determining requirements to phase out or transition from existing permitted clothing drop boxes to a City-branded program.

And adopt new Recommendations 4.c. and 4.h. so that Recommendation 4 reads as follows:

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to report back in the second quarter of 2021 on the feasibility of introducing a new City-branded Clothing Drop Box Program on City-owned property, including, but not limited to, the following considerations: 

a. Findings from jurisdictional scans and consultations with charitable textile collectors;

b. Developing criteria for fair and transparent selection of clothing drop box operators (including consideration of a requirement that limits them to registered Canadian charitable or not-for-profit organizations);

c. Recommending a plan to reach the optimal marketplace mix of clothing box providers and programs, and determining requirements to phase out or transition from existing permitted clothing drop boxes to a City-branded program if warranted.

d. Determining requirements for City-branded clothing drop boxes (e.g. design/branding, safety, location);

e. Exploring the possibility of extending the program onto private property;

f. Introducing reporting, management and servicing requirements for Clothing Drop Box operators to determine and support environmental, financial and social outcomes (e.g. amount/weight, use and destination of items collected, climate, environmental and social impacts);

g. Conducting a triple bottom line and cost / benefit analysis and budget impacts to operate the program resulting from implementation of the above considerations; and

h. Providing legal, risk and cost-benefit analysis of a City-branded or partnership program. 

1. City Council acknowledge and affirm that the global apparel industry is resource intensive and a source of greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, and that raising awareness amongst Torontonians to encourage more mindful and responsible textile consumption, purchasing and reuse/repair opportunities will help contribute towards local and community actions to reduce waste.

 
2. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to develop educational material that clothing and textile retailers in Toronto can post promoting the opportunities to reduce potential textile waste through reduction, reuse, repair and donation options.

 
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to make a written request to the Province to consider requiring all businesses and online retailers to post reuse, recycling and disposal options at the point of purchase to ensure harmonized and consistent messaging for the management of textiles in Ontario.

 
4. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to report back in the second quarter of 2021 on the feasibility of introducing a new City-branded Clothing Drop Box Program on City-owned property, including, but not limited to, the following considerations:

a. Findings from jurisdictional scans and consultations with charitable textile collectors.

b. Developing criteria for fair and transparent selection of clothing drop box operators (including consideration of a requirement that limits them to registered Canadian charitable or not-for-profit organizations);

c. Determining requirements to phase out or transition from existing permitted clothing drop boxes to a City-branded program;

d. Determining requirements for City-branded clothing drop boxes (e.g. design/branding, safety, location);

e. Exploring the possibility of extending the program onto private property;

f. Introducing reporting, management and servicing requirements for Clothing Drop Box operators to determine and support environmental, financial and social outcomes (e.g. amount/weight, use and destination of items collected, climate, environmental and social impacts);

g. Conducting a triple bottom line and cost / benefit analysis and budget impacts to operate the program resulting from implementation of the above considerations.