Toronto: election signs must come down by October 29, sorted signs recycled free

The City of Toronto reminded property owners, residents and candidates on October 27, 2026, that they are responsible for removing and disposing of all election signs displayed on private property by Thursday, October 29. Candidates who posted signs on public property must also remove them by the same deadline, following the municipal election held on October 26.

Three types accepted for recycling

Election signs can be brought to all seven City Drop-Off Depots for disposal or recycling. The city accepts three types of signs for recycling, as well as wooden and metal stakes: corrugated plastic such as Coroplast, fibre-based signs such as paperboard, and plastic film sleeve-style signs. Before drop-off, residents must separate wooden stakes, metal supports and screws from the signs, with dedicated containers provided for each material, and consolidate plastic sleeve signs in a clear plastic bag tied shut when full.

Staples must be removed: the city warns that staples damage recycling equipment, and any signs with staples will be considered garbage and charged a disposal fee. There is no fee for dropping off separated clean corrugated plastic, paperboard and plastic film signs with their supports and stakes, while unseparated mixed waste containing election signs is charged the regular fee of 189.86 dollars per metric tonne plus a flat fee of 19 dollars for the first 100 kilograms. Used and surplus election signs are accepted for proper disposal at certain depot locations until November 29.

Report signs left up after the deadline

People can report election signs that are not removed on time by contacting 311 and submitting a service request, including the name of the candidate or third-party advertiser, the address or location of the sign, and a description of nearby landmarks if no address can be given. The city says sorting signs before drop-off keeps the recycling stream clean and avoids the mixed-waste fee.