Toronto/CMEDIA: The City of Toronto is reportedly hosting several events and sustainability initiatives to facilitate local communities in making our city a greener place for celebration of April as Earth Month.
“Diverting as much waste as possible…supports the City’s climate goals. I always look forward to the City’s Earth Month events, but especially the Community Environment Days…actively participate in ensuring a more sustainable future for Toronto…residents to take advantage of this opportunity and also have a chance to meet their local councillors,” Deputy Mayor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence), Vice-Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee has said.
While participating, the City and all local Toronto City Councillors with 47 Community Environment Days running from Saturday, April 5 to Sunday, September 28 would facilitate residents a convenient way to recycle, donate and safely dispose of unwanted items.
Community Environment Days
For more convenience the program includes seven Drop-Off Depot Sundays for residents to bring household items for donation or proper disposal and pick up free compost at one of the City’s depots.
I397,749 kg of reusable household goods, electronics and household hazardous waste were diverted in 2024 by this initiative .
More details including a list of accepted items and the full schedule can be found on the City’s Community Environment Days webpage.
Residents can pick up for free loose or bagged compost during Community Environment Days throughout the season while supplies last.
Made from the yard waste and organic materials collected curbside, Free loose compost is also available for pickup on Saturdays at five Drop-Off Depot locations from Saturday, April 5 to Saturday, October 4 while quantities last.
More information is available on the City’s website.
Clean Toronto Together celebrates its 20th anniversary
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Clean Toronto Together brings residents, schools, businesses and community groups together to participate in a city-wide spring cleanup from Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27.
871 registered cleanup events participated by 71,000 last year, making this Canada’s largest municipal cleanup.
Participants are asked to register their cleanups on the City’s Clean Toronto webpage by Wednesday, April 23 to help the City arrange litter pickups and track results.
Forestry volunteer opportunities
Thousands of volunteers every year help grow and improve Toronto’s urban forest through tree planting and stewardship programs.
Nature talks and tours on Toronto’s urban forest, local ecology and habitats and species identification are also offered to the public by the City Forestry staff.
More program updates are available on the City’s website.
Request a free tree
Enabling contribution to Toronto’s urban forest, improving air quality with the City’s goal of increasing its tree canopy to 40 percent by 2050, residents can request a free tree to be planted on the City-owned road allowance in front of their home or business to grow.
To request a tree, visit the City’s tree planting webpage.
Native wildflower giveaway
A giveaway for 45 plant kits containing 10 native wildflower plants is being hosted by the PollinateTO for an optional native tree or shrub and a PollinateTO garden sign.
Residents are invited to enter the contest by Wed, Apr 30 for a chance to win.
To learn more and register for the contest is available on the City’s Wild Bees webpage.
Help protect pollinators: leave the leaves
Residents are asked to leave fallen leaves in their yards this year to provide essential habitat wild bees and other pollinators
Essential habitat for Pollinators can be provided by decomposing leaves, enriching the soil, and protecting plants.
Learn more on the City’s Wild Bees webpage.
Forestry grants and incentives
Facilitation of enhancement and expansion of Toronto’s urban forest, tree planting incentives on private property is being offered by the City.
Besides supporting partnerships with homeowners, landowners and not-for-profit organizations, these programs also help advance strategic priorities that invest in communities and address climate change.
Learn more about the program incentives on the City’s Urban Forestry Grants & Incentives website.
Single-Use and Takeaway Items bylaw reminder
City’s Single-Use and Takeaways Items (SUTI) bylaw which became effective last year reminds retail business establishments to first get permission before providing single-use items, such as napkins and straws or bags to accept reusable shopping bags and beverage cups.
To learn more, visit the City’s SUTI webpage.
