Reducing Litter at its Source

GNN’s summer survey project for 2023.

We were delighted that Green Neighbours Network of Toronto (GNN) received funding from the Government of Canada for three 8-week Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) projects. These projects took place in Parkdale–High Park, Toronto Centre, and Scarborough Centre. They were part of a larger program organized by GNN to survey restaurant managers about their use of single-use takeaway items, with the long-term goal of reducing litter at its source.

This work was particularly timely given the City’s Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items program at the time, and the federal government’s recent ban on the sale of six different disposable plastic items. We were keen to find out how businesses were being affected, what they were switching to, and their views on reusable options.

The survey results are now in—read on for the findings.

Key Findings

Key findings from the full report “Informing the reduction of single-use foodware: one neighbourhood at a time” include:

While most businesses accept “bring-your-own” (BYO) (72%), the majority of businesses reported that very few customers (less than 2%) actually bring their own reusable cups and containers.
Most restaurant managers are thinking about a change to reusable dishware (57%), and 18% are taking action to transition to reusable options.

GNN was particularly excited to learn that restaurants in neighbourhoods with active Canada Reduces groups showed greater participation in BYO and returnable takeout programs – which suggests that community zero-waste groups are making a difference!

Curious to know more? Watch a 1 hour webinar showcasing our research.

Survey Scope

Map of Toronto highlighting neighbourhoods involved in the Reducing Litter at its Source project with organization logos.

This map shows the project locations where interns surveyed restaurant managers about their use of single use foodware and other takeaway items.

Orange shading highlights the ridings of Parkdale-High Park, Toronto Centre, and Scarborough Centre. GNN received Canada Summer Jobs project funding in these three ridings. The survey locations in each riding are highlighted with blue shading.

Interns were locally supervised by volunteers from GNN member groups in the three ridings shaded in orange. Surveys were conducted in the following BIA locations (marked by blue outlines):

Bloor Street West Village BIA in Parkdale-High Park: Supervised by Green 13 and Parkdale-High Park for Climate Action
St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA in Toronto Centre: Supervised by SLNA Waste Reduction Group and St. Lawrence Reduces
Wexford Heights BIA in Scarborough Centre: Supervised by Scarborough Environmental Association and Scarborough Zero Waste

Program partner, the UofT Trash Team designed the survey and their research assistants surveyed restaurants in the Harbourfront area shown by pink shading.
Program partner, the Toronto Environmental Alliance provided advice and assistance to everyone city-wide.

In addition, our program advanced the work of our project partners, WalkRollMap.org and the Greener Toronto Fund of the Small Change Fund.