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Knowledge Base

Glossary

The terms in the table below from the Annual Information Report are defined as follows:

Term Definition
Single Stream Commingled In this stream, paper, cardboard, metal, plastic containers, glass and paper cartons are mixed in the same recycling collection box, cart, or bag.  Cardboard and boxboard packaging would be included in this stream if they are not separately collected.
Multi - Stream Fibres This stream would typically only include newspapers, circulars, magazines, directories, printed paper, posters, kraft paper bags amongst other similar materials. Cardboard and boxboard packaging would be included in this stream if they are not separately collected.
Multi - Stream Containers This stream would typically only include containers like gable tops, aseptics, paper and plastic laminates, plastic containers and jugs, plastic packaging, metal (aluminum and steel) based packaging and containers amongst other similar materials. The materials considered under glass, plastic film and expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) would be considered as Multi-Stream Containers if they are not separately collected. 
Glass If this stream is being separately collected, then typical examples of materials in this stream would be clear and colored glass.
Cardboard If this stream is being separately collected, then typical examples of materials in this stream would be corrugated cardboard, boxboard, etc.
Film

If this stream is being separately collected, then typical examples of materials in this stream would be plastic bags made of PLA, PHA, PHB, LDPE & HDPE films.

  • Bags for groceries or dry cleaning, bread, newspapers and flyers
  • Bags for produce, dry bulk foods and frozen vegetables
  • Outer bags and wrap for diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, tissues and soft drink can flats
  • Bags for water softener salt and garden products
  • Overwrap on mattresses, furniture and electronic equipment
Foam If this stream is being separately collected, then typical examples of materials in this stream would be expanded and non expanded polystyrene. Otherwise known as expanded polystyrene, this refers to materials like some meat trays, take-out containers or cushion packaging that protects electronics, small appliances, etc.

Tin and Metal (Collected Separately)

  • Typically this includes metal cans for food including pet food, tins for cookies, tea, chocolates, etc.
  • Metal lids, like those used for aluminum cans and lids used for food
  • Aluminum foil wrap and foil take-out containers, including pie plates, food trays, etc.
  • Empty aluminum aerosol containers used for food, air fresheners, shaving cream, deodorant, hairspray, foam insulation, etc.

Other Materials (Please Specify)

This category is for any materials which cannot be categorized in the above streams. 
ICI

"ICI" stands for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional materials.  Some examples of ICI locations include schools, hospitals and shopping malls.

ICI – Curbside collection

MMSW manages residential recycling and needs to track ICI information. Please provide the number of non-residential carts that are collected at the same time as your residential recycling. This applies only to curbside collection programs. If you operate a depot for recycling this info is not required.

ICI - For Commingled Collection

It is important that MMSW does not include ICI weights in its data systems as this material is not part of our program. Collectors need to ensure the weight of this material is not included in the reports sent to MMSW.

Multifamily

Residential housing consisting of multiple living units contained within the same building. Municipalities differ in how they choose to define the exact number of living units used to define multifamily housing, but typical examples would be more than four or six units in a given building.

 

Some examples of multifamily housing are condominiums and apartment buildings.
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