Diverting Textiles from Toronto's Waste Stream - by Councillor Jaye Robinson, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie

Every year, the average Toronto household throws out about 13 kg/29 lbs of clothing and other textiles. This is problematic given the environmental impact of the resources consumed during production, the chemicals used during the dyeing, printing, and finishing processes, and the time of decomposition in landfills. Currently, textiles cannot be accepted as part of the City's Blue Bin recycling program. When textiles are placed in the blue bin, they can tangle sorting machines, damage equipment, and cause workplace injuries. In 2018, City staff identified textiles as one of the top contaminants of the Blue Bin recycling program, which costs the City millions annually. The City's Long Term Waste Management Strategy included a commitment to create a new textile and clothing recycling program for all residents. This is an important step to further divert waste from landfills and achieve a zero waste future. In 2018, City Council adopted my motion requesting staff to consider implementing a requirement for retailers of textile material to post reuse, recyclability, and waste disposal options at the point of purchase. Other municipalities are participating in pilot initiatives to reduce the amount of textiles in their waste streams. A textile waste diversion program will help to ensure that Toronto remains a safe, clean, and healthy City for future generations.