Joe Pantalone Newsletter

Most recent newsletter from Joe Pantalone's office:

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Dear Neighbours,

As part of our environmental program, the City of Toronto passed Target70 (70% waste diversion by 2010) in June 2007 to divert organics and recyclables away from land fills. Presently, 58% of the garbage created by those in houses and only 13% of these in condos and apartments is being diverted. The replacement of blue boxes with new, wheeled Blue Bins and the introduction of Garbage Bins to our single and multi-unit residential properties (less than 8 units) are part of this initiative.

On June 2nd, Solid Waste Management Services will mail a newsletter explaining the new program and a bin order card to single family homes in the Ward. The order deadline for you to choose your new Garbage Bin is June 19th. You will be offered the choice of four sizes of Garbage Bins and there will be a corresponding fee for each size of Garbage Bin. Delivery of the new Garbage Bins will start in late August 2008 in Ward 19.

In order to help you really understand the Garbage Bin program and ask any questions you may have, I encourage you to visit one of the following information opportunities organized in our community:

• On May 28, 2008 at the Trinity Bellwoods Recreation Centre (155 Crawford Street) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm;
• On June 16, 2008 at the Bob Abate Community Centre gymnasium (485 Montrose Ave) from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

As for the new blue bins, the new system will work perfectly well for 80% of Toronto, but the other 20% will need special attention to make it work. In order to make the system work for all residents of Ward 19, I have been connecting City officials with residents throughout our ward who require an individualized solution and will continue to do so while the blue bins are being distributed and throughout the upcoming garbage rollout. I know that this will require a significant adjustment for residents but I hope that we can work together to resolve the problems and make the program work. If you would like to trade your blue bin for a smaller one, please call 416-392-BINS (2467).

If you need support with either or both of these programs, please do not hesitate to contact me.

And finally, good news for those residents in the City of Toronto who already receive garbage pick-up in their laneways! In order to make it easier, your garbage, recycling and green bin will be collected in the laneway at the rear of your property on your scheduled collection day from now on. You will receive a flyer from the Solid Waste division with this information. If you have any questions or require more information please call 416-338-2010.

I strongly believe that by working together we can and will make Toronto a better place to live, work, and play. I hope this information is useful to you.

Sincerely,

Joe Pantalone

Deputy Mayor

City of Toronto

416-392-4009

councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca

More Recycling Bin Info from Councillor Adam Vaughan

Our neighbouring Councillor, Adam Vaughan, has sent out the following information to his constituents. Our Councillor for the Niagara Neighbourhood is Joe Pantalone - his office can be reached at 416-392-4009 or via email at councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca.

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Residents of single-family homes in Ward 20 are now starting to receive their new recycling bins. Many are also discovering that the bins do not fit well on their property. If your bin is too large for your property, there are a few options that the city can provide to try and fit your property’s physical requirements.

City staff are offering site visits to residents to help identify the approach that will work best for each property. This includes:

- trading your bin for a smaller bin
- dual use (garbage & recycling) bins
- the possibility of using clear plastic bags to put out recycling for pickup

To request a site visit to determine alternate options that would work best for you, please contact (Joe Pantalone's office for the Niagara Neighbourhood).

Please provide us your name, address and phone number to request a site visit to determine alternate options that would work best for you. Residents can also call 416-392-BINS (2467) however the line is extremely busy due to the bin roll-out and may have long waiting times. Please be advised that there is currently a three-week wait to receive a site visit.

If your neighbours have received their bins but you have not, this may because of different order sizes, as deliveries are taking place by size. Until you receive your new bin, you can continue to use your old blue and grey bins. You can also contact our office via e-mail or phone to check in on your bin delivery.

New Recycling Bins

Niagara Neighbourhood Now fully supports the City of Toronto’s push to increase recycling. We believe that recycling is not only vital in building a more sustainable and responsible city, but that it’s part of a wider movement to make Toronto a leader in environmental action.

Unfortunately, we do not believe the new larger bins proposed by the city are the best option: they do not take the unique living arrangements of those who live downtown into consideration.

In this “city of neighbourhoods” we live close to our neighbours: we have small spaces and limited storage that can’t always accommodate these new larger bins. They require awkward storage (dragging bins through houses) or unattractive containers littering our property.

Niagara Neighbourhood Now’s position is that these bins should be one of several choices rather than the only choice. We should be able to choose between the new larger bins, the current bins, or clear bags – whichever homeowners feel best suits their situation.

Toronto homeowners and Niagara Neighbourhood Now want to do their part for recycling and the environment, and we believe the City should do their part by giving homeowners the opportunity to participate in as many ways as possible.

Municipal Bin Information

Links to Information About New Garbage and Recycling Bins

• Bin Dimensions and Costs
• Additional Information on the Bins and Waste Diversion Plan