toronto to recycle plastic bags and polystyrene

Happily, the City of Toronto has added certain kinds of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers that it had always rejected before; the new additions can go to the curb beginning next Tuesday.

Plastic retail and grocery bags can go in, same goes for the hard, white foam packaging, cups, takeout containers, and egg cartons.

But packing peanuts, and anything made from hard plastic, like plates, glass, cutlery, clear egg cartons, plastic models and CD and DVD cases cannot.

Confused? You can find the new rules at www.toronto.ca

would you like less trash with that?

To me, stepping lighter means not having to drop out of society, move to a cabin in and grow my hair out. Therefore, I think the possibility of never getting take out food or beverages again is, well, not a possibility.

But what am I to do with the plastic and Styrofoam garbage that's leftover, not to mention the guilt?

Biodegradable and compostable containers. Cutlery and straws that aren't individually wrapped. Condiment dispensers instead of packets. All of these things are available, so why aren't restaurants clamoring to implement them?

Cost, I'm guessing. Maybe availability. So in the spirit of convincing my friend and restaurant owner to go green, I'm committed to finding a solution to this issue. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, the folks over at ecoagents are busy encouraging everyone to adopt the phrase "Eco to Go," the Waste Reduction Store is making cups from corn, and Ecovoyageurs is getting kids to do garbage audits of their homes. Good work people.