City adds more garbage drop-off locations

The City of Toronto has announced 19 new locations to drop-off your garbage.The following is a press release sent out by the City earlier today.

1. Ted Reeve Arena: Northeast corner of Main St. & Gerrard St. E.
2. Villiers St.: Paved roadway between Saulter St. and Cherry St.
3. Sunnyside Park: Parking area south of Lake Shore Blvd. W., between Ellis Ave. and Colborne Lodge Dr. (must be east-bound on Lake Shore to access)
4. Sir Casmir Gzowski Park: Parking area south of Lake Shore Blvd. W., west of Sunnyside Park  (must be east-bound on Lake Shore to access)
5. Eglinton Flats (1): Enter off Eglinton Ave., east of Jane St.
6. Eglinton Flats (2): Enter off Emmett Ave., west of Jane St.
7. Etienne Brule Park: Old Mill Rd. at Catherine St., east of Humber River
8. George Bell Arena: 215 Ryding Ave., south of St. Clair Ave. W., east of Runnymede Rd.
9. Christie Pits: Enter off Crawford St., north of Bloor
10. North Toronto Memorial Arena: North of Eglinton Ave., east of Oriole Pkwy., enter off  Edith Dr.
11. Moss Park: South of Shuter St., north of Queen St. E., west of Sherbourne St.
12. North York Centennial Centre: 580 Finch Ave. W., in parking lot
13. Caledonia Park: 1135 Caledonia Rd., in parking lot
14. Earlscourt Park: West side of Lansdowne Ave., north of Davenport Rd.
15. Taylor Creek Park: Enter off Haldon Ave., in parking lot at end of roadway
16. Scarborough Arena: 75 Birchmount Rd., in parking lot
17. Wishing Well Park: In parking lot, north of 401, west side of Pharmacy Ave. (south of Sheppard Ave. E.)
18. York Mills Arena: 2539 Bayview Ave., enter off York Mills Rd., east of Bayview
19. Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant: 51 Beechgrove Dr., in parking lot at end of Beechgrove Dr.

The 19 temporary drop-off locations were selected based on the following criteria:

* the site is a City-owned property;
* preference is given to existing paved or gravel areas to minimize environmental impacts;
* is close to and reasonably accessible by the community;
* has vehicular access;
* there is reasonable distance away from residential buildings; and
* has the capacity to hold a large volume of waste if necessary.

Garbage stored at the temporary sites will be contained within a fenced enclosure.  Residents must place all waste in the fenced area only. The sites will have 24-hour security and will be monitored by City staff.

The locations will also be managed with professional pest and odour controls.  All sites have received approval from the provincial Ministry of the Environment for use as temporary garbage storage sites. Inspectors from Toronto Public Health will monitor the sites to ensure public health is not compromised by the drop off sites.

Residents should continue to store recyclables, yard waste and bulky items until the labour disruption is over.  Once their Blue Bin is full, residents should store recyclables in clear plastic bags.  They are also requested to postpone garden trimming and pruning and use a backyard composter to compost yard waste and organics where possible.

All Toronto residents are asked:

* Not to throw garbage onto streets, into laneways or parks
* Not to leave waste in or around City litter bins. These will not be emptied during the disruption.

The City will not condone illegal dumping, which would include dropping waste near, but not within the fencing of the drop off site, as well as other locations like City parks or streets. City bylaw officers will monitor the sites and the fine for illegal dumping starts at $380.

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