Markham breaks free of Single-Use Plastics

MARKHAM, ON – October 7, 2020 – On October 19, 2020, Styrofoam packaging will be banned from curbside collection to increase recycling of Single-Use Plastics and to help divert 85 per cent of residential waste from landfills. This new, innovative environmental initiative is part of the City of Markham’s Diversion Strategy 2: 2020-2023 and has been modelled after its successful electronics recycling and award-winning household textile recycling programs.

Styrofoam packaging is used to protect appliances, household electronics, furniture, and online deliveries. Residents must now drop off their Styrofoam packaging at any of Markham’s four community recycling depots. It will be compressed into bricks, then used to make new products including picture frames, crown moulding and benches.

Styrofoam take-out food containers and cups are not banned from curbside collection. Residents can continue to put these in their clear bag garbage or drop them off at the recycling depots.

“Markham already has the highest curbside waste diversion rate of any urban municipality in Canada,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “This is another positive step we are taking to invest in a greener future while ensuring Styrofoam is properly diverted, reused and not placed in our landfill. Our goal is to work with our residents to increase our current waste diversion rate from 81 per cent to 85 per cent. Waste diversion is an important sustainability initiative to reduce waste to landfill sites and minimize waste transportation, thereby playing an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Single-Use Plastics are particularly problematic for environmental sustainability because there are few ways to reuse, recycle or compost them. Additionally, much end up as litter on roads, parks, trails and creeks.

There are some types of foam that cannot be recycled. These should be put in clear bag garbage:

• Unwashed, soiled Styrofoam food containers
• Craft/florist foam
• Foam wrap
• Hot tub covers
• Packing peanuts
• Pool noodles
• Rubber foam

Residents who are unsure how to properly dispose of an item can use the “What Goes Where” search tool available on the Access Markham mobile app or on the City’s website. Residents can also use the mobile app to check their collection schedule or set up personalized collection reminders.

To learn more about this initiative, visit markham.ca/StyrofoamRecycling.

Markham waste management milestones: 

2013:

• Clear bag garbage introduced, allowing collectors to identify if recyclables, organics, hazardous and electronic material have been improperly disposed
• eWaste (e.g. TVs, computers) banned from curbside garbage collection, keeping harmful metals out of the landfill and allowing valuable parts like glass, plastic, gold, silver, copper and palladium to be recycled

2017:

• Household textiles banned from curbside garbage collection, resulting in 18,379,692 pounds (8,337 metric tonnes) of textiles diverted from the landfill

Related links:

• 2020 Garbage & Recycling Collection Schedule 
• 2020年10月19日开始，不收取放置在路边的聚苯乙烯泡沫包装 
• அக். 19, 2020 அன்று தொடங்குகிறது! ஸ்டைரோஃபோம் பேக்கேஜிங் தெருவோர சேகரிப்பில் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளப்படாது 
• Building Markham’s Future Together: 2020 - 2023 Strategic Plan 
• Greenprint: Markham’s Community Sustainability Plan 
• Waste Diversion Strategy: The Best of the Best (2012)

Markham’s Contact Centre continues to respond to inquiries about municipal services and programs at customerservice@markham.ca and 905.477.5530, Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM.

For more information and updates about COVID-19 and affected City services, visit markham.ca/covid19.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office: 
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177. 
 

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham: 
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450. 

 

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:

Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station. 

 

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 350,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.

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