Raccoon-proof green bins on public works agenda

WATCH: According to the city, “Toronto residents with curbside collection will get the next generation Green Bin with improved animal resistant features.”

TORONTO – Raccoon-proof green bins and 30 kilometres per hour speed limits are just some of the items on the agenda at Toronto’s public works committee meeting Thursday.

A municipal staff report is recommending the city replace the existing 46.5 litre green bins with new bins that have a capacity of approximately 100 litres and feature a rodent-resistant locking lid and larger wheels for better mobility.

“There will be a blow-back anyways because they are a little bigger,” said Mayor John Tory during an interview on Global’s The Morning Show on Thursday.

“The size is accompanied by what is supposedly a much more raccoon-proof lock. They’ve been tested extensively to see if we can fool them.”

READ MORE: Toronto considering raccoon-resistant green bins

The older bins were introduced over four years from 2002 to 2005 and are reaching the end of their expected 10-year lifespan.

“We are motivated to show that we cannot be defeated by these critters,” said Tory during a press conference unveiling the new bins Thursday morning at city hall.

“We now just have to have a few votes at both the committee and city council so that we can let the games begin.”

The city has selected Rehrig Pacific Company for the manufacturing, distribution and maintenance of the next generation green bin.

Meanwhile, the city’s general manager of transportation will present a report on having 30 km/h limits in residential zones replace certain “traffic calming” areas.

READ MORE: Ontario considers lowering city speed limits

Also on the agenda include items such as expanding the city’s blue bin recycling program to include an expanded list of plastic bags, mapping snow removal efforts in real-time online, examining Toronto Water’s communication strategy following February’s frozen water crisis and accessibility concerns on bike lanes.

You can view the full agenda here.