Bin Rental FAQ

How do I load a bin?

• Please separate your waste - see how to separate waste for more information.
• Waste should be evenly distributed in the bin. A balanced load makes for an easier pickup and safer transport.
• DO NOT OVERLOAD! An overloaded bin is unsafe and may result in a $505 infraction for TOronto Garbage Bins (and the poor driver), so we will not pick up an obviously overloaded bin. Any bin that has waste piled higher than the top of the bin is overloaded.
• If you are driving behind another waste company's truck, and they have carelessly picked up an overloaded bin, MOVE OUT FROM BEHIND IT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. You would be surprised at how dangerous they are.

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What is not allowed in the bin?

• Any hazardous material such as chemicals, propane tanks, toxic compounds, etc. - Use common sense.
• Any liquid waste such as oil, paints, solvents, thinners, or other such.
• Unseparated waste, unless you are prepared for much additional expense.

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How do I separate waste?

• First and foremost, remove all materials that could be considered hazardous.
• Dirt, concrete, brick, block and asphalt are all inert material, and should be separate.
• One tonne of construction waste equals $95 in dumping fees, so it is most economical to reduce the amount by separating out inert material.
• No experienced contractor mixes waste materials because it is so expensive.

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Do I need to make special preparations at the bin site?

• If you will be getting a roll-off bin, there should be at least a 16 foot wide access to the bin site to accomodate the truck and its mechanicals.
• No vehicles should be parked near the bin site at a time you are expecting a placement, exchange, or pickup.
• If the bin is being placed on a driveway or other asphalt that is in good condition, you should place large pieces of plywood where the bin is to be located to avoid damage.

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Can the bin be placed on the street?

• Certain local governments allow bins to be placed on the street, others do not. The City of Toronto requires a Street Occupation Permit - here is the permit application. More information is available on the Toronto City Website or call them at (416) 392-6593. Outside of Toronto, call your local city or town hall.
• Special Requirements by the City of Toronto:
  1. A minimum of 3.05 metres of roadway width must be kept clear and passable at all times.
  2. Bin and chute must be properly tarped to prevent flying debris.
  3. Flasher barricades are to be provided at each end of the disposal bin(s) from one half hour before sunset to one half hour after sunrise.
  4. Name and number of the bin company must be displayed on the bin.
  5. Placement of disposal bin must not create a visual hazard for motorists or pedestrians, or interfere with traffic regulatory lights and signs.

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Why does Toronto Garbage Bins require a credit card to place a bin?

• Each Toronto Garbage Bins bin comes with a maximum weight allowance which is built into the cost shown on our website.
• Before the contents of a bin are disposed of, they are weighed - and Toronto Garbage Bins pays a fixed amount per ton for disposal (currently approximately $95).
• In the event a bin is over the maximum weight, we must be able to charge our customers for the extra weight, because we are billed for it ourselves.
• Unfortunately, certain unscrupulous contractors will try to conceal heavy items in the bottom of a bin (such as roof shingles), with lighter rubbish on the top. We have seen our 14 yard bins (which come with 4,000 pounds maximum weight) loaded with as much as 17,000 pounds.
• Unfortunately, to protect ourselves from a few unscrupulous contractors who try to get away with severely overloading bins, we have been forced to put in place our existing credit card policy.

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What happens when there is a dispute over a credit card charge?

• If you have a dispute over the amount Toronto Garbage Bins has charged to your credit card, then the following is our procedure.
• Obtain a copy of your credit card statement which contains the charge you are disputing.
• Cross out any personal items on the statement and send it to us.
• We will check our records and if there has been an error in the billing we will credit your account within 5 days.
• Customers who would like to see original documentation of the charges to their account are welcome to drop by the Toronto Garbage Bins offices without appointment to see the driver's runsheet and the weight slip from the scales that weighed their bin.

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