The City of Toronto has a program that allows eligible charitable organizations (faith groups and nonprofits) to have their garbage collection fees waived. However, we understand that many charitable organizations have not yet applied to the program. The City sent out bills to organizations in June. Whether you received a bill or not, we encourage all eligible charitable organizations to apply for the waiver program if you have not already done so.
The deadline to register and apply for the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver Program is Friday, August 7.
It is a multi-step process to become approved for a waiver. For this reason, we’re encouraging organizations to start the process immediately.
Step 1) Complete the pre-registration form immediately: http://cityoftoronto.fluidsurveys.com/s/wastewaiver/
Step 2) You will receive an email from the City with your username and password so that you can log on and complete a simple online application form. On average, it takes 2 business days to receive your username, password and log-in instructions. The City urges you to submit your application by the deadline of August 7, 2015. The application will take no more than 30 minutes to complete.
Step 3) The City will inform you about the outcome of the application process. All applications will be processed after the August 7 deadline. It will take 1.5-2 months for your application to be processed. Organizations are "conditionally approved" provided that they meet the eligibility criteria of the program - that is that the organization applying must be an eligible Non-Residential (charity, institution or religious organization) customer with City of Toronto collection services, registered as a charitable organization and in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency. The approval is "conditional" because organizations must pass the waste audit to continue to receive the rate waiver / suspended billing.
Step 4) Solid Waste Management Services will conduct a Compliance Waste Audit as part of the application process to ensure compliance and participation in the City’s waste diversion programs. Your organization must pass the waste audit to continue to receive the rate waiver / suspended billing. If approved after the Compliance Waste Audit, your organization will receive an Eligibility Letter stating the date the credit/refund is applied to your account. As this is a new program, the City does do not yet know what the wait times will be for the waste audit. The City is aiming to have them done within 1 year.
Step 5) After the Compliance Waste Audit, your organization will receive up to three spot inspections that will take place on collection days to ensure your set out practices are appropriate and demonstrate your organization's ongoing commitment to participation in the City's waste diversion programs. Your organization must pass the spot inspections to continue to receive the rate waiver/suspended billing.
Step 6) If your organization passes all spot inspections in 2015, your organization will not have to re-apply and will continue to receive 100% credit/refund of any approved 2016 Non-Residential Solid Waste Rates. Spot inspections of your waste set out will continue in 2016 to confirm that you are still eligible for the program. Your federal charity number will be periodically checked to see if it is still valid. Your organization may be required to ensure all information contained in your application file is up to date.
What if I register and apply for the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver Program by August 7 and still receive a bill?
You will receive your first 2015 bill for services in June 2015 and will be expected to pay that bill and any subsequent bills until your organization has been deemed eligible for the waiver program.
If your organization is an existing customer and has been deemed eligible for the waiver, you will receive credit for fees incurred dating back to April 1, 2015.
Is my organization eligible for the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver Program?
- Your organization must be a federally registered charity in good standing
- Your organization must be an eligible customer for the services provided to Non-Residential customers by Solid Waste Management Services
- Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to waste diversion strategies and participation in the City's diversion programs, as confirmed through the results of the Compliance Waste Audit and any spot inspections conducted, in order to continue to receive the Waiver.
For more information on the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver Program:
Questions about the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver Program? Contact the City of Toronto at 416-392-9125 or [email protected]