Sign and education requirements for commercial waste

Business operations

As of Nov. 1, 2017, businesses and organizations are required to separate food and yard waste from the garbage for composting or diversion. See food and yard waste bylaw requirements.

Since Nov. 1, 2016, businesses and organizations must also recycle a specific list of materials. See recycling bylaw requirements.

Signage and education requirements

As a business owner or property manager, you are also now required to provide signage on all collection containers and education to tenants at least once per year.

To comply with the bylaw requirements, you must do the following:

  1. Ensure there is clear signage on all collection containers for garbage, recycling and food and yard waste, indicating what type of materials goes in each collection container. This helps tenants, employees and customers quickly understand what goes where.

Pictures are not required; however, they will help people understand what goes in the bin and improve the success of your program.

  1. Inform your tenants and employees at least once per year, as well as when a new tenant moves in, of the following:
  • Location of garbage, recycling and food and yard waste containers;
  • List of materials that go into each container; and
  • Proper method for preparing and sorting waste material for collection.

This information needs to be communicated to tenants and employees by either:

  • Written format - paper copies in mail boxes, under doors, or in orientation packages; or
  • Electronic communications via email.

Face-to-face communication is also recommended but not required.

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Program resources

Find online tools, signs and posters, best practices and success stories to help you get started with you diversion programs. See Business Waste Program: Tools and Resources.

You can also subscribe to our waste diversion business newsletter to stay up to date with commercial waste program changes.

Looking for disposal options for business waste items? Find disposal options and instructions at Waste Disposal Options for Business​.

We do regular research with businesses to better understand the outlook and viewpoint of the business community. If you are a business owner, leader or manager, join our online business research panel, Business Perspectives.

Join the Business Perspectives Panel
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