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The City of Toronto could save $600 million over the next 20 years if it embarks on a dramatic overhaul of how it collects and disposes of its garbage and recyclables.

Thats the conclusion of a report presented by CUPE 416, Toronto Civic Employees Union, to the citys Works Committee November 3.

The report recommends that Toronto adopt a wet-dry recycling model similar to the system used in Guelph with great success. The new system will generate both cost and energy savings.

The CUPE 416 wet-dry plan would, among other things:

-Divert 72% of waste from landfill.

-Save the City over $28 million a year on its solid waste costs.

-Retain public sector control and accountability over the waste stream.

-Recover over $65 million worth of useable products each year.

-Create some 900 unionized, green jobs.

The municipality is seeking a long-term waste management system to handle the one million tonnes of waste generated each year. CUPEs plan is in sharp contrast to the majority of the submissions, which rely heavily on waste export, waste disposal or incineration, and mixed waste processing.