By Susan Ellis of Key Life Journeys

In Toronto recycling garbage is becoming standard behavior for most residents. There are some who will resist on principle and others will be unable to comply because of the physical handling of the bins. Only 13% living in multi-unit residences recycle. Few are encouraged to participate, and unsorted waste goes down a chute. But the majority of Torontonians try to participate.

But it is a big learning curve. Which plastic can be recycled; which paper goes in the blue bin or the green bin?

Did you know that after December 9th 2008, according to  

http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/bags_and_foam_faq.htm

plastic bags can be recycled?  But here is the learning curve again Not all plastic bags. Only those from retail stores like grocery bags.  The following bags are not included- Milk (outer and inner), dry cleaning, produce, bread, sandwich and plastic food wrap. That plastic must still go in the garbage, the grey bin.

As of the same day polystyrene can go in the Blue Bin for recycling. Only the foam is allowed, not the clear stuff. So that includes-
Foam packaging (hard, white – used for cameras, stereos, etc.)
Foam cups
Foam takeout containers
Foam meat trays
Foam egg cartons

For the good of the world in which we live we must encourage people to divert as much as possible from land fill. But participation in the plan is so complex, many feel alienated when they don't get it right. We must all share our knowledge to make it easier for others to comply. I wish we could recycle those clear plastic clam shell boxes that fruit comes in, but their time has not yet come.

Who knows if there would have been a more practical way of boxing the goods. This winter will demonstrate the effectiveness of three different wheeled bins when the snow falls. How much longer will it take the collectors to place the bins back correctly, or will they sit on sidewalks or be blown into the road as now? There to be hidden in snow piles and send barreling down the street in front of the snow plow blades. It is not going to be easy. But I hope we will all try to make it work, whether we like the system or not.

The fact that we have moved this far in such a short time is quite amazing. Yes it probably is too little too late, but when did we become aware? When did we seriously start listening to all those who warned us that we must change the way we get rid of our waste? Public opinion tends to hold on to the way we have always done things. Getting society to seriously think about sorting and separating its garbage is a major mind shift in personal responsibility. The fact that so many of us do it is a testimonial to those who have fought for change.

Remember when the "stoop and scoop" people started to change the way we thought about doggy doo on our streets? There was resistance from dog owners. But the pioneers have succeeded in changing our behavior and providing a second use for plastic bags.


Today my bins sit neatly at the back of my driveway, ready for rolling out to the curb on the right day and in the right sequence. They came in working order - not everyone was so lucky.  I am fortunate to have a driveway and a place to store them. Again many others do not.

The calendar for pickup is adhered to my fridge. The snow hasn't started flying yet so this story is not finished.