Frequently Asked Questions

 Q.

Can I place my recycling curbside for the municipal recycling truck to collect?

A.

Services vary by municipality. Please contact your local municipality to find out what services they provide. There are also private waste service providers that collect recyclables from businesses.

 Q.

How much will it cost to recycle my waste materials?

A.

Cost depends on the materials you are going to recycle. The markets for different recyclable materials can vary, resulting in different collection costs. Waste or recycling service providers can give you estimates on the wastes you want to divert.

 Q.

Will my local municipality collect organic wastes (e.g., food scraps) from my building as part of their organic waste program?

A.

Services vary by municipality. Please ask your local municipality if they provide this service.

 Q.

I have a storage room full of old computers. What should I do with them?

A.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Program was launched in April 2009. This program helps divert computers, printers, televisions, monitors and peripherals from both residences and businesses. Additional products, including copiers, phones and cell phones and audio-visual equipment such as stereos, are also being diverted. For more information, please refer to the Do What You Can website or call Ontario Electronic Stewardship at 1-888-646-1820.

 Q.

How do I set up or expand a waste-diversion program at my retail shopping establishment?

A.

Please review the information throughout this website, starting with the Waste-reduction Program Development section.   Make sure you work closely with key staff by setting up a “green team.” Waste service providers are also an excellent resource for setting up or expanding a waste-diversion program.

How do I determine if I need to comply with Ontario Regulations 102/94 (waste audits and waste reduction plans) and 103/94 (source-separation of specified wastes)?

A.

Owners of an office building or a group of office buildings* must comply with these regulations if:

• The building or buildings have a total floor area of 10,000m² or more.
• The building or buildings are located in a municipality with a population of 5,000 or more (requirement of O. Reg. 103/94 only).

* A group of office buildings is defined as two or more office buildings with the same ownership located in proximity, with a maximum of one other building or property of different ownership between them.

 Q.

My office building has a parking garage. Does this count towards the overall floor area of my building?

A.

No. Under Ontario Regulations103/94, floor area only refers to offices areas.

 Q.

What materials am I required to source separate from my waste under Regulation 103/104?

A.

Under this regulation, you must source separate and make reasonable efforts to reuse or recycle the following wastes:

• Aluminium food or beverage cans (including cans made primarily of aluminium)
• Corrugated cardboard
• Fine paper, e.g. photocopier or printer paper
• Glass bottles and jars for food or beverages
• Newsprint
• Steel food or beverage cans (including cans made primarily of steel)

 Q.

Do I have to send my waste audit results and waste reduction work plan to the ministry?

A.

No. But waste audit and waste reduction work plan documents must be kept on site for five years after they have been prepared.

 Q.

I am required to complete a waste audit under Ontario Regulation 102/94. Do I have to sort and weigh all of my garbage?

A.

No. There are many ways to complete a waste audit. Please refer to A Guide to Waste Audits and Waste Reduction Work Plans for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sectors (PDF). It outlines different techniques waste audit techniques.