Recycling bylaw for commercial waste
Since Nov. 1, 2016, businesses and organizations are required to recycle the same materials we do at home plus materials specific to commercial waste such as scrap metal, clear plastic film, and raw and unprocessed wood.
As of Nov. 1, 2017, you must separate food and yard waste from the garbage for composting or diversion. See our Food and Yard Waste Bylaw Requirements.
You must also provide signage on all collection containers and education to tenants at least once per year. See the Signage and Education Requirements.
Are you a business, company or organization?
This bylaw applies to all businesses and organizations, including property management companies, offices, stores, malls, restaurants, hotels, schools, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, factories, non-profits, places of worship, warehouses and other operations.
Program resources
Find online tools, signs and posters, best practices and success stories to help you get started with your 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.
How to comply with the recycling bylaw
To comply with this bylaw, businesses need to:
- Collect and store recyclables separately from the waste generated by your tenants, employees and/or customers.
- Ensure recyclables are taken to a recycling facility.
For more information, download ourGuide for Building Owners and Managers.
What items must be recycled?
Newspaper
Catalogues and magazines
Mixed paper
Shredded paper
Telephone books
Boxboard and corrugated cardboard
Glass jars and bottles
Food cans and foil
Refundable beverage containers
Plastic containers with the recycling symbols 1-7, except polystyrene foam
Includes plastic bags
Juice and soup boxes (such as Tetra PaksTM
Scrap metal
- Wires and cables
- Fixtures and fittings
- Sheeting
- Automotive parts
- Metal plumbing and racks
It does not include galvanized metal, rebar or coat hangers
Wood
- Dimensional lumber
- Wooden pallets
Other items made of raw and unprocessed wood
It does not include pressure treated wood, chemically treated wood, plywood, particle board, medium density fibreboard (MDF) or oriented strand board (OSB), furniture, finished or painted wood and tree stumps
Clear plastic film (polyethylene)
- Film wrap
- Shrink wrap
- Stretch wrap
Plastics such as LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE and POF
It does not include cellophane.
*Commercial loads of garbage that contain 10 per cent or more of paper and cardboard, scrap metal and recyclable wood, and/or 20 per cent or more of food and yard waste will be subject to the Designated Materials Rate at City landfills.