‘Feel Good’ Disposal Guide
Information in this post was curated on: March 8, 2022
The decluttering stage of an organizing project, results in a lot of items for disposal. If you live in Toronto, Canada, like me, you have access to a couple of great resources to make sure you are disposing of items correctly. The City of Toronto WasteWizard and Canada’s Terracycle Programs are great online resources, but aren’t an exhaustive list of the options that are available to dispose of your unwanted items in a way that feels socially and environmentally responsible. Check out my guide below for some options to up your disposal game! These resources are curated for those living in Toronto, Canada, with some programs running Canada wide. If you live outside the area, the list may provide some inspiration to look for programs in your area.
WasteWizard
This online tool, or phone application, is incredibly convenient. With a quick keyword search, you are presented with directions on the appropriate disposal bin for your item or instructions for hazardous waste disposal.
Terracycle Programs
Terracycle offers free drop-off or mail-in recycling programs for many household products that aren’t traditionally recycled in the city blue bins. Learn More. They’ve partnered with companies like Brita, Gerber, Febreze, Yves, and many more, where you can earn points and can be redeemed them towards a variety of charitable gifts or a payment per point to the non-profit organization or school of your choice. Learn More.
Check out my list below for some alternative options to recycle or donate some of the most common items that are discarded during the decluttering process. Anything that is underlined will link you out to an external website with more information on the recycling/donation program.
Appliances
From kitchen appliances to vacuums to microwaves, check on one of the 12 Habitat ReStores in the Greater Toronto Area to arrange a drop off, request a pick up or have the team come to deconstruct the appliance. All proceeds help Habitat for Humanity Builds. Learn More.
Baby Items
The New Mom Project is a Facebook group providing a safe space for Toronto moms in need and moms who wish to support them, to exchange baby items for free. Porch pick ups can be offered, or if you are able, you can offer to deliver to the new mom in need.
Batteries
Participating Staples, IKEA and Lowes stores offer a free drop off program for batteries. Try using a fruit carton to collect your old batteries, keeping these in a spot (like where you store your purse or bag) so that you can remember to take it the next time you go to one of the participating stores. Alternatively, you can create a calendar date, say every 6 months, to remind you to bring them to the store.
Books
SecondBind offers a free pick up service for textbooks and novels within 30KMs of their Toronto warehouse. I have used this service, and was very impressed with their quick turn around and email communication. If you are having trouble discarding books, I suggest first determining a zone for your books (how much of your living space do you want to dedicate to books?) and only keeping what fits in that zone.
Clothing
The average Toronto household throws out 17 kg (37 lb) of clothing and other textiles each year (based on City of Toronto household waste audits). The City of Toronto offers a map based view of all the clothing drop boxes available in the city (if you know of once that is not on this list, it is likely on private property). Find a bin near you. Most of the time, these bins require items to be dropped off in small bags, so try keeping a “donation” bag going, and find a bin that is near by or on your daily route, so you can purge often in small quantities.
Electronics
When it’s time to upgrade your laptops and printers or replace your ink and toner, count on Staples to recycle it responsibly. A limit of 5 items can be recycled per person per day. See a full list of what is accepted. While you are at it, go ahead and recycle the box your new electronic came in before it becomes clutter. Some sturdy boxes like iPhone boxes can make great drawer organizers, but if you don’t have an immediate use for it, chances are it will just become clutter, and you should dispose of it.
Expired Medication
Expired Medication should not be flushed down the toilet or drain, as it will pollute our water systems. You can take the medication out of the packaging (check the label on the packaging and use the WasteWizard to determine if it is recyclable or trash), then put all the medication in a ziplock bag and bring it to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
Furniture
Furniturebank is reducing furniture poverty in Toronto and offers charitable donation receipts for your furniture donation. Drop off by appointment, or schedule a pick up for $150. Learn more about what Furniture Bank accepts.
IKEA offers a sell back program for store credit. Learn more about the program.
Glasses
The Toronto Beaches Lion’s Club collects eyeglasses through their Project Recycle for Sight. All types of eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses (prescription and non-prescription) are needed. Your donated eyewear will then be collected, cleaned and classified by prescription. The eyeglasses are then distributed to those in need by Lion volunteers and other organizations hosting optical missions in developing countries. Learn More.
Lightbulbs
IKEA and Lowes both offer recycling programs for lightbulbs. I suggest storing your used lightbulbs with your batteries, so you can take them to the location of choice at the same time.
Paint
Most paint, stored in the proper conditions, has a shelf life of about two years. So while it’s nice to keep the left-over paint for touch ups, eventually it’s just taking up space to store un-useable paint. Paints can be dropped off at a local landfill, but Lowe’s also offers a program to take back your used paints. When you store your paint, consider writing an “Expiry Date” on the top lid, so next time you bring in your lightbulbs and batteries to Lowe’s, have quick peak at your paint to see if anything can be brought in.
Pens
Whether the pen runs out of ink or you are reducing the number of pens in your collection through decluttering, Staples has partnered with Terracycle to collect and recycle used pens at participating store locations. Check out Terracycles map for your nearest location.
Pet Supplies & Blankets/Towels
The Toronto Humane Society’s website accepts un-opened pet food and animal care supplies including food bowls, Kong’s, rope toys or leashes. Other supplies such as clean blankets, towels and grooming tools are also welcomed. Learn more about how to donate on their website.
Textiles
If you are willing to take the drive, the City of Markham has a Textile Recycling Program. Items can be worn, torn, or stained and the list of accepted items is available on their website. In 2017, Markham became the first municipality in North America to ban textile waste at the curb. Head to their website to find one of 160 public access locations and 63 multi-residential properties to drop off your textiles.
If you are bothered by the sense of waste that comes from the decluttering process, I strongly suggest leaning into that feeling, instead of shying away from the actual disposal.
When we’re troubled be the sense of waste, delay seems to make disposal easier. […] If you stop delaying disposal, you’ll also stop diluting your sense of waste. Keeping a keen sense of waste - guilt of throwing things away - can have a very positive effect. It may encourage you to think more carefully when shopping [or accepting items into your life/home].
-Nagisa Tatsumi, The Art of Discarding
Stay tuned, as I plan to continue to update this guide as I learn more about opportunities to dispose more ethically. If you have any suggestions to add, please email me at sortedspruce@gmail.com.
