World's Eco-Life
Trash Reduction by Seventy Percent
Toronto, Canada
Three years ago the City of Toronto introduced a plan called “Target 70” to reduce the volume of trash by 70 percent. Toronto used to carry its trash 400 km to a dump site in Michigan City in the U.S.A. Since the cost is huge and the disposal land is limited, Target 70 was begun.
Specifically, the City is promoting recycling of plastic and kitchen waste, reuse of used things, and doing away with the use of containers and wrappers. Trash from homes is separated into eight categories and collected in color boxes for easy recycling. Each home can choose the size of a trash box and use it for an annual fee. In addition, there are three kinds of trash cans (for paper, bottles/cans and other trash) in many places in the city.
Two year ago, stores started charging for plastic shopping bags. Since then it has become common for citizens to carry their own shopping bags. Many people also carry their own “My Bottles.” Efforts as being made for trash reduction by both individual citizens and the government.