General Waste Minimization and Recycling
- Can I place my school's recycling curbside for the municipal recycling truck to collect?
- How much will it cost to recycle my waste materials?
- Will my local municipality collect organic wastes (e.g., food scraps) from my school or post-secondary institution as part of their organic waste program?
- I have a storage room full of old computers. What should I do with them?
- How do I set up or expand a waste-diversion program at my school or post-secondary institution?
- How do I set up a battery collection program at my school or post-secondary institution?
- How can I be kept up-to-date when there are changes to this site?
3Rs Regulations
- Does my school need to comply with Ontario Regulations 102/94 and 103/94?
- Do I have to send my waste audit results and waste reduction work plan to the ministry?
- Under Ontario Regulation 103/94, what materials must be source separated from the waste generated at my school or post-secondary institution?
- I am the operator of a school or educational institution and have determined that I must comply with Ontario Regulation 102/94. When completing the required waste audit, do I have to sort and weigh all of my garbage?
General Waste Minimization and Recycling
Can I place my school's recycling curbside for the municipal recycling truck to collect?
Services vary by municipality. Please contact your school board to determine who their/your service provider is. It may already be the local municipality, or a private service provider. It is important that you deal with your school board regarding recycling pickup.
How much will it cost to recycle my waste materials through a private waste service provider?
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. Please contact your school board to determine who their/your service provider is. If you require a list of potential service providers in your area, please visit our resources section to learn more.
Will my local municipality collect organic wastes (e.g., food scraps) from my school or post-secondary institution as part of their organic waste program?
Services vary by municipality. Please contact your school board to determine who the service provider is for organic waste pickup in your area (if available).
I have a storage room full of old computers. What should I do with them?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Program, which was launched in April 2009, is designed to divert end-of-life electronics away from landfills and to promote their reuse and recycling. The program collects 44 types of electronics including desktop and portable computers, printers, televisions, monitors, and cell phones. Consumers can drop off their end-of-life electronics at all Ontario Electronics Stewardship registered collection sites free of charge.
For more information on collection locations in your area, please refer to the Ontario Electronic Stewardship's Recycle Your Electronics site where you can search by type of waste, community or postal code. Schools are also encouraged to participate in the WEEE Program as collectors by hosting collection events. For more information on how your school can participate visit Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s website or call them at 1-888-646-1820.
How do I set up or expand a waste-diversion program at my school or post-secondary institution?
Please review the information throughout this section, starting with "develop or improve your waste-reduction program." Make sure you work closely with key staff and students by setting up an EcoTeam. Waste service providers can be an excellent resource for setting up or expanding a waste-diversion program.
How do I set up a battery collection program at my school or post-secondary institution?
Stewardship Ontario operates the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program which diverts various hazardous or special wastes, including batteries. Collection of waste through the MHSW program is provided at no cost. There are now many locations across the province equipped to safely collect, store and transport batteries. We encourage you to find a local municipal or retail drop-off location for all personal-use batteries. Some municipal hazardous waste depots may also accept batteries from schools. You should contact your local municipality to confirm.
It is recommended that the collection of any hazardous or special wastes, such as batteries, in schools be supervised. Please be sure to check with your school board before you begin any kind of collection program.
How can I be kept up-to-date when there are changes to this site?
Simply sign up for email updates here!
3Rs Regulations
Does my school need to comply with Ontario Regulations 102/94 and 103/94?
The operator of an educational institution must comply with Ontario Regulations 102/94 and 103/94, if the establishment:
- has more than 350 persons are enrolled at any time during the calendar year. This requirement continues to apply for two calendar years following the last year in which more than 350 persons were enrolled at the location or campus.
- is located within a local municipality with a population of 5,000 or more (only applies to O. Reg. 103/94).
See the following guides for further information:
- A Guide To Waste Audits And Waste Reduction Work Plans For The Industrial, Commercial And Institutional Sectors As Required Under O. Reg. 102/94)
- A Guide To Source Separation Of Recyclable Materials For Industrial, Commercial And Institutional Sectors And Multi-Unit Residential Buildings As Required Under Ontario Regulation 103/94
Do I have to send my waste audit results and waste reduction work plan to the ministry?
Only if the ministry requests these documents. But waste audit and waste reduction work plan documents must be kept on site for at least five years after they have been prepared.
Under Ontario Regulation 103/94, what materials must be source separated from the waste generated at my school or post-secondary institution?
If you are required to comply with this regulation, your school or post-secondary institution (if located within a local municipality with a population of at least 5,000) must source separate and make reasonable efforts to reuse or recycle the following wastes:
- aluminum food or beverage cans (including cans made primarily of aluminum)
- corrugated cardboard
- fine paper (such as photocopier or printer paper)
- glass bottles and jars for food or beverages
- newsprint
- steel food or beverage cans (including cans made primarily of steel)
The ministry encourages you to source separate and divert as many waste materials as possible.
I am the operator of a school or educational institution and have determined that I must comply with Ontario Regulation 102/94. When completing the required waste audit, do I have to sort and weigh all of my garbage?
No. There are many ways to complete a waste audit. See our Audit your Waste Stream section to learn about different techniques for completing a waste audit.
