It’s Waste Reduction Week

Oct. 19, 2020 10:00 a.m.
​Learn how to reduce waste at home and in the community
 
Reduce, reuse, relearn! Waste Reduction Week kicks off today and runs until Sunday, Oct. 25. Throughout the week, the City of Vaughan will provide tips on how residents can reduce garbage and make more environmentally conscious decisions as well as develop new waste habits.
 
These tips include:
  • Local libraries are the original sharing economy! Borrowing items reduces waste and saves space.
  • Clothing and textiles can be reused and recycled, even worn and torn items. Donate, swap or buy from thrift shops to give clothes a second life.
  • Reduce e-waste by extending the life of your electronics. Buy a case, keep your device clean and avoid overcharging the battery.
  • Recycle your electronics and batteries at a York Region Waste Depot or through recyclemyelectronics.ca.
  • Donate your gently used electronics to friends, family or social programs to extend the life of devices and reduce e-waste.
  • Reduce your plastic footprint by choosing products with less plastic packaging. Bring reusable bags, mugs, water bottles and cutlery wherever you go.
  • Avoid wasting food by planning and purchasing only what is on your shopping list. Be creative with your leftovers and eat what you buy! 
Reducing and properly recycling waste are some of the ways individuals and businesses combat climate change and pollution. For more information on how to reduce waste, visit vaughan.ca/waste.
 
Waste Reduction Week is a national program that promotes individual and collective environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and sustainable solutions. The City remains committed to protecting the environment and fostering a more sustainable future – a priority outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
 
City staff will also be out in the community, conducting spot checks on blue box recycling to congratulate citizens for a job well done or remind them how they might improve their recycling set out. Residents who have items that shouldn’t be in the blue box will be left a sticker with sorting reminders, or a gold star if all the materials are correct. Please respect social distancing protocols if you encounter staff out in the field. For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
What goes in the blue box?
 
The following items are recyclable:
  • Plastic bottles, jug and containers
  • Milk/juice cartons and drink boxes (no straws)
  • Steel/aluminum food and beverage cans, trays, plates and foil
  • Empty paint and aerosol cans (lids removed)
  • Unbroken glass bottles and jars
  • Household paper and paper products (books, magazines, etc.)
  • Boxboard, broken down and flattened containers (detergent, dry food boxes, etc.)
  • Corrugated cardboard 
The following items are not recyclable:
  • Wipes, tissues, masks and gloves
  • Styrofoam™
  • Black plastic
  • Plastic bags and bagged recycling
  • Coffee cups and pods
  • Food pouches
  • Clothing
  • Toys
  • Hoses
  • Hangers  
Reminder: Disposable wipes, tissues, paper towels and any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves and disposable wipes should not be placed in the blue box – it will not be collected.
 
It’s important that garbage and organic waste is safely contained in a tied bag and does not expose anyone to used PPE items. Citizens should continue to practice good infection prevention when handling any waste by washing your hands and any surfaces that PPE may have contacted.
 
For personalized waste collection reminders, download the Recycle Coach app at the App Store or on Google Play. Continue to check vaughan.ca/waste and vaughan.ca/COVID19 for updates and changes to service levels and schedules.
 
Waste-less Virtual Visits can help you manage increased waste generation due to COVID-19
 
Residents of Vaughan can request a Waste-less Virtual Visit and connect directly with City staff using video conferencing apps like Zoom and Skype. This program offers personalized coaching on how to divert more material to the blue box and green bin, which have no set out limits, and helps put valuable materials to reuse.
 
For more information about City matters, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
 
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