Item - 2021.IE22.6

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council approve the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy - Voluntary Measures Program, Stage 1 as outlined in Attachment 8 to the report (May 7, 2021) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

 
2. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report back in the first quarter of 2022, with an update and action plan on Stage 2 of the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy, including:

a. any new considerations of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

 
b. any further implementation details on the Government of Canada's proposed integrated management approach to plastic products to prevent waste and pollution (Federal Program);

 
c. an implementation timeline and approach aligning the City's proposed Phase Two consultation mandatory measures with the Federal Program;

 
d. an implementation timeline and approach to implement the City's proposed Phase Two consultation mandatory measures should the Federal Program not come into effect in 2022, which will demonstrate the City's commitment towards zero waste and a circular economy;

 
e. an implementation timeline and proposed approach for any recommended additions or enhancements to the City's originally proposed Phase Two consultation mandatory measures to reduce and prevent the generation of single-use and takeaway items in the City of Toronto;

 
f. a review of options to incentivize businesses in the City of Toronto to reduce single-use and takeaway items such as partnership opportunities, financial incentives and grant programs; and

 
g. next steps in planning for additional items to address through Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy, Stage 2.

 
3. City Council request the Government of Canada to consult with the City of Toronto to identify how the City of Toronto can support the Government of Canada's proposed integrated management approach to plastic products and prevent waste and pollution.

 
4. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to negotiate and enter into any and all agreements and amending agreements necessary to collaborate with businesses, non-profit organizations, and community organizations to support the implementation of the Voluntary Measures Program outlined in Attachment 8 to the report (May 7, 2021) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

 
5. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to develop and implement a promotion and recognition program for businesses in the City of Toronto that adopt the Voluntary Measures Program outlined in Attachment 8 to the report (May 7, 2021) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

Infrastructure and Environment Committee considered Items IE22.6 and IE22.7 together.

In 2018, Toronto City Council directed Solid Waste Management Services staff to develop a Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy (Reduction Strategy). The primary goal of the Reduction Strategy is to reduce the use and disposal of single-use and takeaway items regardless of the material type and the waste stream in which they are currently managed (e.g., garbage, Blue Bin recycling, Green Bin organics). During the consultation process, a single-use or takeaway item was defined as any product designed for a single use and not designed for durability or reuse. In the fall of 2019, after two rounds of public consultation, the City of Toronto (City) identified strong public support for the implementation of mandatory measures (e.g., bylaws) restricting single-use and takeaway items.

In March 2020, the Reduction Strategy was put on hold as the City focused its efforts on the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, the Government of Canada released a list of six plastic items it intends to ban or restrict by the end of 2021 through their Discussion Paper [1]: A proposed integrated management approach to plastic products to prevent waste and pollution. The Discussion Paper has further informed the proposed Reduction Strategy development.

In consideration of the potential social, financial, and health-related impacts on Toronto residents and businesses, and the release of the Discussion Paper, Solid Waste Management Services does not recommend proceeding with the implementation of mandatory measures (e.g., a fee, ban or "ask first/by request" bylaw) at this time. Solid Waste Management Services staff recommend the Reduction Strategy start as a Voluntary Measures Program encouraging businesses to voluntarily adopt measures to reduce single-use and takeaway items. The City will provide support through the creation of resources to support businesses’ efforts to adopt “ask first/by request” measures for items including, but not limited to bags, straws, and utensils along with accepting reusable containers for takeout containers and beverage cups. The Voluntary Measures Program will be the first stage of the Reduction Strategy focused on maintaining the momentum of support identified during the public consultations. A second stage of the Reduction Strategy that re-evaluates mandatory restrictions will be presented to City Council in 2022. It will consider any further impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government of Canada final list of restricted plastic items.  

This report also provides a summary of the results from Phase Two consultations gathered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The input was provided by a range of stakeholders including the retail sector, food and restaurant establishments, environmental organizations and residents. During Phase Two consultations, stakeholders were asked to comment on possible bylaw elements approaches restricting five types of single-use and takeaway items including straws, bags, utensils, cold and hot beverage cups, and expanded polystyrene (foam) containers and cups.

 
[1] Discussion Paper, link: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/canadian-environmental-protection-act-registry/plastics-proposed-integrated-management-approach.html