Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy

Friends,

At the December 2023 City Council meeting, Council voted to advance the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy into Stage 2 by adopting staff report recommendations, and introducing a new Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw (SUTI Bylaw). This represents an important step forward in Toronto’s circular economy transition and pathway towards more sustainable consumption.

The goal of the new  SUTI Bylaw is to address the unnecessary use and disposal of specific single-use and takeaway items and eliminate them from becoming litter or entering Toronto’s waterways.

The SUTI Bylaw took effect on March 1, 2024, and includes the following requirements for retail business establishments:

• Ask-First/By-Request
  • Prior to distributing a single-use accessory food item, either (i) ask a customer if they need the item, (ii) have a customer request the item, or (iii) make the item available to customers at a self-serve station.
  • Prior to distributing a single-use paper shopping bag, either (i) ask a customer if they need the bag or (ii) have a customer request the bag.

• Accept the use of Reusable Items
  • Accept the use of reusable shopping bags and reusable beverage cups brought by customers.

• Ensure Compatibility of Bags
  • Only distribute single-use paper shopping bags that are compatible with the City’s waste diversion programs to customers.

As a result of these requirements, customers can increasingly expect to only receive single-use items, such as utensils, napkins, condiment packages, stir sticks and straws, that they really need.

For its part, the City is committed to helping retail business establishments comply with the bylaw through targeted education and outreach activities as part of the rollout of Stage 2 of the Reduction Strategy.

The City is also working toward Stage 3 of the Reduction Strategy to look at further measures to be considered for large event venues, and any requirements for retail businesses to accept customers’ reusable food containers and to use reusable items for dine-in operations. For more information on the City’s Reduction Strategy, including a directory of businesses and service providers that are showing leadership in reducing waste, please visit toronto.ca/single-use.

Sincerely,

Gord

- First meeting of the Housing Rights Advisory Committee

- Vacant Tax Deadline Extended

- City of Toronto March Break Programs + Free Skate at Coca-Cola Museum

- Outdoor Work Assistance for Seniors

First Meeting of the Housing Rights Advisory Committee

The Housing Rights Advisory Committee (HRAC) is a new Council Advisory Body that will provide advice to Toronto City Council to ensure that the interests and needs of those with living or lived experience of housing precarity, discrimination and homelessness are reflected in City policies, programs and service delivery. More information is available at: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2750/25197

The first meeting of this Advisory Committee will be held on March 18, 2024 in Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall.

Councillor Perks is a member of the HRAC and will be in attendance.

Vacant Homes Tax deadline extended to March 15

The City of Toronto will continue to accept Vacant Home Tax (VHT) declarations of occupancy status from residential property owners until March 15. The deadline to declare was February 29, and the City’s Executive Committee has recommended extending this deadline to accept late submissions for an additional two weeks. Toronto City Council will officially consider the proposal at its next meeting.

Full details about the Vacant Home Tax, the available exemptions and how to submit a declaration of property occupancy status are available on the City’s Vacant Home Tax webpage.

City of Toronto March Break Programs

There’s something for everyone this March Break as the City of Toronto offers many affordable – and many free – activities for students and their families between Monday, March 11 and Friday, March 15.

Find the complete list here. 

There will also be free skate at Coca-Cola Museum on the CNE grounds.