Issue 1: December 2006

HOLIDAY WASTE COLLECTION REMINDER. There will be NO garbage, Blue Box or Green Bin collection on CHRISTMAS DAY, Monday, December 25th and NEW YEAR'S DAY, Monday, January 1st. Collection services will move ahead by one day for all areas for two weeks. Please note that we WILL be collecting materials on BOXING DAY.

PUT YOUR SHREDDED PAPER IN THE GREEN BIN. Bagged or loose shredded paper can no longer be collected in the blue box, but can be included with your green bin materials for collection. If your green bin is full, place your shredded paper in a clear plastic bag and set it out beside the green bin for collection. Please continue to recycle whole sheets of paper and envelopes and shred only those documents that are necessary for your privacy.

BRING YOUR HOUSEHOLD PAILS TO MARKHAM'S RECYCLING DEPOTS. All plastic household pails and lids - round or square - excluding ones that have contained adhesives, driveway sealants or similar substances, are now accepted at Markham Community Recycling Depots.

HOLIDAY RECYCLING TIPS. 'Tis the season to give, celebrate and renew. It only takes a small commitment to protect the environment. Check out these holiday recycling tips that can make a difference this holiday season.

FLOURESCENT BULBS AND TUBES REQUIRE SPECIAL DISPOSAL. Using the services of FLR - Fluorescent Lamp Recyclers Inc. - Markham accepts spent fluorescent tubes and energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs for recycling at all four of its recycling depots.

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING IN MARKHAM REACHES NEW HEIGHTS. As part of a plan to improve recycling rates in multi-residential buildings in Markham, the Town has launched an expanded recycling program to all apartment buildings receiving municipal waste collection. Markham's 51 multi-residential buildings can now participate by recycling the materials accepted in the curbside blue box program. Also, residents no longer need to sort their recyclables. All recyclables can be mixed together in recycling carts or containers.

RECYCLE YOUR ENERGY HOG. Between November 1, 2006 and March 1, 2007 the Town of Markham is sponsoring a retirement program for fridges, freezers and window air conditions. The Town will collect these appliances, free of charge - from right inside your home! Find out how you can recycle your energy hog.

GREEN SCHOLARSHIPS. Applications are due 31 January for the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program. Fifteen scholarships for $5000 are available across Canada.

NEWS FROM THE NEWMARKET ReSTORE. ReStore is a part of a chain of more than 40 stores from coast to coast. These stores accept donations of used renovation materials, major appliances and unique quality items; and sell them to raise funds. The store's profits help contribute to the Habitat for Humanity building fund.

ZERO WASTE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED FOR 2010 WORLD CUP GAMES IN SOUTH AFRICA. An initiative aimed to implementing a "Zero Waste" concept for the 2010 World Cup was recently launched in South Africa with the support of the government as well as local and international businesses. The Zero Waste 2010 Coalition initiative, described as a way to "Green the World Cup African Style" is being driven by the non-profit group Institute for Zero Waste (IZWA).

CONSUME THIS - BUYING THAT MATTERS. The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention has produced an informative booklet that aims to raise awareness among youth about the effects that their choices have on the environment. Issues addressed in the booklet, include; resource conservation, consumer behaviour, and environmentally-friendly production. Examples such as "The Life-Cycle of a T-Shirt", "What's in a Soccer Ball", and "How to Pack a Litterless Lunch" introduce young people to the concept of sustainable consumption using a practical and relevant approach. Click here to download the guide for free.