Toronto – Mayor Olivia Chow introduced modifications to sidewalk litter bins that improve their durability and functionality, helping to keep Toronto clean. The City of Toronto is working closely with its service provider to implement effective bin enhancements that address public feedback.
The enhancements were tested and monitored on four downtown bins in December 2023 and January 2024. Following the success of this pilot, four additional bins will be installed this week with more than 1,000 expected to be installed in high-density areas by the end of the year. The majority of the bins being installed will replace older model bins.
Bin enhancements
The bin enhancements include:
- A wider opening that reduces the likelihood of disposed items getting stuck
- A stronger self-closing hinge
- Reinforcement of the frame and doors for added durability
- Adjustments to the locking mechanism and
- The introduction of two garbage options per bin which reduces the likelihood of overflows and contamination of recyclable materials.
The City is planning to conduct a bin sensor pilot program in 2024 on approximately 250 of the street litter bins. The sensors will detect the fullness of the bins and relay when the bins are at or near capacity so that collection can be scheduled. The City will be hiring additional staff to inspect street litter bins, gather data and report overflowing and maintenance issues for a period of six months to define trends and recommendations for optimal collection frequency for each litter bin in Toronto.
Street litter operations
The City’s litter operations run 20 hours per day, seven days a week. There are more than 50,000 collections of litter bins per week and more than 99.9 per cent of them are done proactively. Most street litter bins are collected at night for safety and efficiency. Astral is the City’s service provider responsible for repairing broken or damaged litter bins and are committed to completing weekly inspections of the approximately 11,000 bins – twice weekly in high-density areas – on city streets. Residents are encouraged to report broken and full litter bins to 311 by phone, the mobile app or online. Members of the public are also encouraged to report bins requiring cleaning or repair to quality@astral.com or 1-866-4ASTRAL (1-866-827-8725).