Closed
Downtown restaurant tote collection program
Approved waste totes for downtown food businesses
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program supports downtown restaurants and businesses that produce large amounts of food waste by requiring approved waste totes. The City subsidizes 50% of the cost of the first tote, and the program helps reduce litter, leaks, and sidewalk staining.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Oshawa
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Registration and ordering of approved waste totes for downtown restaurant and business waste collection.
- Use of totes for curbside collection of garbage with food waste in the downtown core.
- Sharing totes between neighboring restaurants when both addresses are registered.
Documents Needed
- Completed online tote order or registration form
- Business address for tote registration
- Serial number for damaged tote replacement requests
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Restaurants in downtown Oshawa
- Cafes in downtown Oshawa
- Businesses in the downtown core that generate large volumes of food waste
Who is not eligible
- Businesses outside the downtown core
- Businesses that do not generate large volumes of food waste
- Businesses that do not receive municipal waste collection services three times per week
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of the first approved waste tote, with 50% of the cost subsidized by the City.
- Purchase of additional totes.
- Replacement totes, including those needed due to damage, vandalism, or theft.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Large item disposal through the tote program.
- Unapproved waste containers or totes not ordered through the City.
- Costs for damage, vandalism, or theft of totes when replacement is required, except for the first handling-related replacement noted by the City.
Eligible geographic areas
- Downtown Oshawa
How to apply
- Step 1: Register the business
- Use the online tote program form to register the business address.
- A business owner or designated manager can complete the registration.
- Step 2: Place the tote order
- Order the first tote through the online form.
- Request additional or replacement totes using the separate online form if needed.
- Step 3: Submit through the City
- Submit the form online or contact Service Oshawa by phone to place the order.
- Step 4: Wait for review and delivery
- The City reviews the order and may ask for more information.
- Once approved, the tote is delivered to the business.
Processing and Agreement
- The City reviews the tote registration or order after submission.
- The City may contact the applicant for more information.
- Approved totes are delivered after approval.
- Businesses must follow the City’s waste collection by-law and tote use requirements.
Additional information
- Businesses may share a tote with a neighboring restaurant if both addresses are listed.
- The first tote is subsidized by the City at 50% of the cost.
- Additional or replacement totes can be ordered through the City.
- The program is enforced under the City’s Waste Collection By-law.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Downtown restaurant tote collection program Program
What is the Downtown restaurant tote collection program?
This program supports downtown restaurants and businesses that produce large amounts of food waste by requiring approved waste totes. The City subsidizes 50% of the cost of the first tote, and the program helps reduce litter, leaks, and sidewalk staining.
Who is eligible for the Downtown restaurant tote collection program program?
To be eligible for the Downtown restaurant tote collection program program, you must:
Downtown Oshawa location
Three weekly waste collections
Large food waste generator
What expenses are eligible under Downtown restaurant tote collection program?
Registration and ordering of approved waste totes for downtown restaurant and business waste collection.
Use of totes for curbside collection of garbage with food waste in the downtown core.
Sharing totes between neighboring restaurants when both addresses are registered.
Who can I contact for more information about the Downtown restaurant tote collection program?
You can contact City of Oshawa by email at service@oshawa.ca or by phone at 905-436-3311.
Where is the Downtown restaurant tote collection program available?
The Downtown restaurant tote collection program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Downtown restaurant tote collection program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Downtown restaurant tote collection program is a Other Support
Who are the financial supporters of the Downtown restaurant tote collection program?
Downtown restaurant tote collection program is funded by City of Oshawa