{"id":4804,"date":"2025-01-15T15:59:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T20:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/?p=4804"},"modified":"2025-06-17T08:09:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:09:42","slug":"green-toronto-how-clean-is-it-really","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4804-green-toronto-how-clean-is-it-really","title":{"rendered":"Green Toronto: How Clean Is It Really?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In Toronto, one of Canada&#8217;s largest cities, there is a push to combine rapid development with a responsible approach to the environment. From implementing the ambitious <strong>TransformTO<\/strong> climate plan to improving water quality and monitoring air conditions, the city is a leader in environmental urbanism. At the same time, challenges such as waste management, urban sprawl, and greenhouse gas emissions remain pressing, prompting <a href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-2636-a-brief-history-of-the-largest-lake-in-toronto-ontario\">Toronto<\/a> to seek innovative solutions and collaborate with residents, businesses, and environmental organizations for a cleaner, happier future. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/\">toronto.name<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c038aeca0f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c038aeca0f\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4804-green-toronto-how-clean-is-it-really\/#The_Citys_Environmental_Situation\" >The City&#8217;s Environmental Situation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4804-green-toronto-how-clean-is-it-really\/#Key_Environmental_Initiatives\" >Key Environmental Initiatives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4804-green-toronto-how-clean-is-it-really\/#Water_Pollution_in_Toronto\" >Water Pollution in Toronto<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4804-green-toronto-how-clean-is-it-really\/#Air_Pollution_in_Toronto\" >Air Pollution in Toronto<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Citys_Environmental_Situation\"><\/span>The City&#8217;s Environmental Situation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto&#8217;s environmental issues encompass everything that affects the city&#8217;s environment and the lives of its residents. Air, water, and nature pollution are consequences of the city&#8217;s infrastructure, particularly its roads and public transport. Additionally, the large population generates a significant amount of waste annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Polluted air is a problem throughout Toronto, especially in areas like Scarborough, the interchange of Highway 427 and 401, and the downtown core. Residents in these zones face a higher risk of respiratory diseases and other health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Water pollution also harms the environment. Sewage runoff and harmful emissions have led to the discovery of mercury, lead, and flame-retardant chemicals in Lake Ontario. But there is positive news: harmful emissions from the city have decreased thanks to various initiatives. In 2014, for the first time in 20 years, Toronto did not issue a single smog advisory (a warning issued when air pollution levels reach a health-threatening threshold). This was achieved by closing coal-fired power plants and reducing electricity consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, efforts to improve the city&#8217;s environmental situation continue through two major initiatives: the <strong>Toronto Environmental Alliance<\/strong> and the &#8220;Green Toronto&#8221; program, which regularly address environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxepnkamsxobvhqs7rpvm8ata9jgr0awvwogromfayhtyvvdasopgvv9temrgss5qejskky4v123un_krhpfgmjjy84yrhy2sroaptnaqmafduyrc-eot1pxdfvb-yha9wzgwq8rkeyyjagat4ckobd86jp_liwyjlq.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Environmental_Initiatives\"><\/span>Key Environmental Initiatives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto has many environmental programs that are steadily improving the city&#8217;s environment. For instance, the <strong>Green Will Initiative (GWI)<\/strong> invites building owners across Toronto to partner with the city to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions<sup><\/sup> from various institutions\u2014the largest source of emissions in the city. These buildings, including schools, hospitals, offices, and residential apartments, have a major impact on Toronto&#8217;s neighbourhoods. Participants in the initiative have committed to enhancing their communities&#8217; resilience to climate change and ensuring their ability to adapt to new conditions. As of 2024, 40 major building groups in Toronto have joined the initiative, striving to be leaders in actively reducing their buildings&#8217; emissions to net-zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxdstt8ht2df3uynpblfobhljsqjiozg4ahoigbfuxsrfgyguaary6xeoaibblyqph72dtsmqdzyo_vvmy1sfyhloxli_dc0v4mgjb3nomznwm2vijtq38fyvurmm2rt7ngptuzokeyyjagat4ckobd86jp_liwyjlq.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another excellent program is <strong>TransformTO<\/strong>, a plan for how Toronto can <strong>reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050<\/strong> (from 1990 levels). It also outlines significant community benefits, such as improved public health, the creation of new jobs, and enhanced social equity. The TransformTO initiative was approved in 2017. The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) and the City of Toronto&#8217;s Environment &amp; Energy Division are jointly implementing this plan. The project itself was developed with extensive community participation. The Environment &amp; Energy Division, along with TAF, began developing a strategy to meet the city&#8217;s 2050 climate goal. A group of 35 community representatives participated in creating the action plan, providing crucial advice and assisting with additional research. TAF, together with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, provided funding during the planning phase of TransformTO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, the TransformTO program helps establish specific, city-wide emission reduction targets, sets benchmarks for Toronto, and modifies current approaches to better meet the community&#8217;s needs and interests. The plan includes numerous goals related to energy use, transportation, buildings, and waste, which will influence the development of the city&#8217;s communities. The long-term modelling that formed the basis of the TransformTO strategy showed that <strong>achieving the 2050 emission reduction target is possible with current technology<\/strong>, but it requires decisive action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every day, Torontonians dispose of packaging and products at home, at work, and in public and private spaces across the city. Too often, these are items that could be reused, recycled, or composted. This results in the loss of valuable green jobs and the opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is another well-known program outlined in the new <strong>TEA Zero Waste Toronto report<\/strong>. It presents a vision for how Torontonians can improve their quality of life. Around the world, people are adopting the concept of zero waste. Adhering to it will help Toronto protect the environment, benefit the community, and support green jobs and a strong local economy. In essence, this report offers innovative ideas and practical examples that can help solve the city&#8217;s nature pollution problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Water_Pollution_in_Toronto\"><\/span>Water Pollution in Toronto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers have identified the following materials in Lake Ontario: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), flame retardants, and pollutants from combustion. Pharmaceuticals, harsh cleaning agents, and other contaminants flow through household drains, inevitably affecting the water quality of Lake Ontario. Many of Toronto&#8217;s businesses and institutions discharge aggressive cleaning chemicals, degreasers, and heavy metals through the sewer system. While Toronto&#8217;s water treatment plants can remove some of these pollutants, many toxic chemicals remain and often end up in the lake. It is also known that in 2011, <strong>over 7 tonnes of cadmium, mercury, lead, and nickel were released into Lake Ontario<\/strong> from facilities in Toronto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxf85csnvmcgxtkapatpvbwph9drd_r_wiwksiu2bwdbgs6z0wncilwkhbt7gqqvg1k8w94jgump6cfzqcxvegbt4fit03p_xpmfaxbjp-ki62muxfdxlo8l_011a9gmdey4zg6hmwkeyyjagat4ckobd86jp_liwyjlq.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Air_Pollution_in_Toronto\"><\/span>Air Pollution in Toronto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Toxic air pollutants (also known as hazardous air pollutants) are contaminants that can lead to severe health consequences with long-term exposure, such as cancer, reproductive problems, and birth defects. In Toronto, the overall burden of disease from toxic air pollutants is unknown; however, local data indicate the presence of benzene, tetrachloroethylene, and lead in the air, which poses a health risk in areas with high concentrations of these substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxcamlul6d944ayfclf5iz1n98ndfcrczc_6fnl600sjixa9dmh6yhltil5c3cyudic7rmoreezhbj2ehdutoxceqrodxwo0ehneidkgpottzhajiuc2dwt0lgijfoiiizwjeegwkeyyjagat4ckobd86jp_liwyjlq.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As of 2024, regulations are in place to reduce harmful emissions from toxic air pollutants. According to the City of Toronto&#8217;s <strong>Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw<\/strong> of 2011, the use of tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or PERC,<sup><\/sup> is now strictly controlled. Dry cleaning business owners are required to maintain detailed records of how this chemical is used and recycled. This is highly significant, as PERC is commonly used in cleaning companies, and many owners still violate regulations regarding this toxic chemical. According to Toronto&#8217;s Medical Officer of Health, <strong>PERC is one of the eight most dangerous chemicals in the city<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Toronto, one of Canada&#8217;s largest cities, there is a push to combine rapid development with a responsible approach to the environment. From implementing the ambitious TransformTO climate plan to improving water quality and monitoring air conditions, the city is a leader in environmental urbanism. At the same time, challenges such as waste management, urban [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":467,"featured_media":4508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[331],"tags":[1953,2090,1999,2840,1287,2838,2808,2845,2842,2102,1211,2843,2841],"motype":[325],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[833,30,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-4804","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-climate","9":"tag-climate-change","10":"tag-ecology","11":"tag-energy-conservation","12":"tag-environment","13":"tag-environmental-initiatives","14":"tag-green-spaces","15":"tag-natural-resources","16":"tag-pollution","17":"tag-renewable-energy","18":"tag-toronto-3","19":"tag-waste-recycling","20":"tag-water-resources","21":"motype-eternal","22":"moformat-longrid-korotka","23":"moimportance-vichna","24":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/467"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4804"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4805,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4804\/revisions\/4805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4804"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4804"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4804"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}