Toronto encourages recycling with new fee

The mayor insists residents have plenty of options.

TORONTO GLOBE AND MAIL

TORONTO — Households in Toronto that put more trash at the curb will pay more — up to $190 a year — and those that put out a little less will get a small rebate under a new pay-as-you-throw garbage levy that kicks in this year.

The proposed changes, to be debated Monday, stem from an earlier request to reward the most recycling-conscious households.

If approved, a family that opts for an extra-large bin (the equivalent of 41⁄2 garbage bags) would pay $190 annually. Families with the smallest bin (the equivalent of one bag) would get a $10 rebate.

Some critics contend that the higher garbage levy — on average the equivalent of a 4.4-percent property tax increase — comes as Toronto residents already face a 3.75 percent tax increase proposed for this year.

“It’s a massive tax increase for families,” says Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong, adding that it will hit large families harder than two-person households.

Mayor David Miller contends “people have a choice,” since the city will offer an array of new, free services as part of an aggressive plan to divert 70 percent of garbage from landfill by 2010.

Even if large families cannot use the smallest bin, says the mayor, the next size up would carry an annual fee of $39 — or less than $1 a week. Officials estimate 60 percent of residents would pay this charge or none at all.

In the past, garbage collection was paid through local taxes, with no spur to recycle.

“This is a very significant change to our waste system,” says Geoff Rathbone, the city’s general manager of solid-waste-management services. “If we don’t implement new programs, our landfill would be full by 2025.”