Waste Reduction Week

Taking the Lead to Reduce Single-Use Plastics

Markham’s innovative, multi-year Single Use Plastics reduction and recycling plan began in 2020 with the banning of Styrofoam packaging from curbside pickup.

The collection of clean Styrofoam packaging and food trays at any Markham Recycling Depot provides residents a cost-effective recycling option.

The Results Are in - Well Done Markham!

In 2022, over 72 tonnes of Styrofoam was diverted from landfill – that’s the same as 7 school buses. Year after year, the Styrofoam Recycling program increases in not only diversion of Styrofoam but has directly resulted in the following positive impacts:

• Increased recycling of other accepted depot materials;
• Creation of local jobs at the recycling depots and densification services;
• Decreased street litter from curbside set-outs.

Markham’s Polydensifier Processing since 2011

Markham was the first municipality in Ontario to purchase and install a Styrofoam densification machine. The densifier compacts Styrofoam at a 20:1 ratio, significantly reducing the material’s transport costs. After processing, the Styrofoam becomes a hard, durable plastic reused to manufacture items like crown moldings, picture frames, and park benches.

Learn more about Markham's Styrofoam Ban.

30 Million Pound Milestone (Oct 2016 to Oct 2023) 

Thank you Markham residents for your ongoing community support!

Markham's Textile Recycling Program has reached over 13,608,000 kilograms of donated unwanted clothing and textiles; diverting valuable resources away from landfill for reuse and recycling.

The City of Markham became the first municipality in North America to ban textiles in curbside waste collection in April 2017. Since the program has grown to over 160 public access locations and 63 multi-residential properties, Markham bins are easy to find!

Drop off all your clean, unwanted textiles - including damaged items, even single socks and shoes!

Learn more about Markham's Textile Recycling Program.

Think before you throw! Try these fun upcycling activities for the whole family:

• On the Go Tic-Tac-Toe
• No-sew Wash Cloth Teddy Bear 

E-waste Drop-off Events a big success!

Markham residents show their ongoing support for the community and the environment — 78,277 pounds (35,506 kilograms) of unwanted electroincs collected this summer! Thank you to the Lion's Club for hosting the events.

Unwanted or broken electronics including all accessories like keyboards and cords should never be put in the blue box or garbage. Electronics are hazardous to the environment and most components – steel, glass, copper, aluminum, plastics, and other precious metals – can be recycled into new products. Learn more about electronic waste.

Electronic equipment in good working condition should be donated to a local charity, such as the Salvation Army Thrift Store or ReStore Markham. Call ahead to confirm if your item is acceptable.

If it no longer works, drop it off at the Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot for responsible recycling.

Protect Your Privacy!

• Clear all personal information from computers, cell phones and electronics prior to drop off. The City is not responsible for personal information contained on your electronic devices
• Remove all batteries from electronic items and drop off at any Recycling Depot
• Not sure how to dispose of an item? Use the What Goes Where Tool!

Speak Up Speak Out - Reduce Your Single-use Plastics

The City of Markham continues to demonstrate environmental leadership by tackling the increasingly problematic burden of Single-Use Plastics. Single-Use Plastics have limited reuse, recyclability or compost options and many of them end up as litter on our roads, parks, trails and creeks.

Our choices as consumers affect how much waste we create. Make simple changes to your everyday practices, and you will make a difference. Refuse Single-Use Plastics, choose reusable or recyclable products, and do your part to keep Markham green.

Speak up and demand retailers to offer sustainable alternatives like paper, or choose no packaging at all!

Is Your Food Free from Cellophane?

Much of the food we purchase from grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops is already prepared and packaged, often in layers of plastic cellophane and other food-packaging wrap.
Cellophane is a quick and convenient way to package and sell food, however, its overuse and single use is an environmental concern.

Cellophane is non-recyclable and often goes straight to a landfill with your household garbage. It also ends up as litter in our waterways causing both land and water pollution.

Support local — save money — choose loose fruit and vegetables!

Reduce Your Plastic Use - Shop Refills

Refill shops tend to be small, independent stores that sell non-packaged personal-care items, such as shampoo, body wash and hand soap, as well as household products, such as laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner.

Shoppers bring their own containers. Some stores also stock food (beans, pasta, dried fruits, spices, snacks), and most sell other sustainable products, such as reusable produce bags, reusable coffee filters and stainless-steel ice-pop molds. The goal is to change our purchasing habits and reduce the sale of single-use plastics.

The refill process is easy; learn how you can get started by visiting a local refill shop like eco + amour or checking them out on Instagram.

Check out more zero waste shopping tips!

Fat, Oils & Grease (F.O.G.) Friday

When organic material is sent to landfill it releases methane into the atmosphere, which is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and is the single largest waste stream found in landfills.

Putting your food waste in the green bin, ensures it will be turned into a valuable nutrient in compost when broken down in an anaerobic digester. This process captures the methane to produce renewable natural gas.

What is F.O.G.?

F.O.G. products are anything that contains fats (such as saturated animal fats), oils (such as unsaturated plant fats) and grease.

Common examples of F.O.G. include:

• Cooking oils (canola or olive oil, non-stick pan sprays)
• Food scraps and leftover grease
• Condiments (ketchup, curry paste)
• Spreads (butter, margarine, cream cheese, jam)
• Sauces (gravy, marinara)
• Salad Dressings

Protect Your Pipes!

Never pour any fats, oils or grease down the drain or toilet. Not even hot water and soap will stop F.O.G from hardening and clogging your pipes! Clogged pipes can cause flooding and sewer backups in houses and condos.

Simply wipe, scrape or pour your F.O.G. into the cup and place it in the green bin.

Learn more about how F.O.G. Clogs.

Not sure if an item is recyclable? Markham’s online search tool provides you with an instant answer, check it out at What Goes Where?

Download the Access Markham mobile app to access your collection schedule, sign up for personalized reminders and use the “What Goes Where” search too – anywhere, anytime!

Other Features:

• Snow clearing status for roads and sidewalks
• Bikeways, parks and paths
• Signature and community events calendar
• Report a problem
• Your Voice Markham online engagement platform

Easy Access Online Collection Schedule 

Find your online collection schedule  and sign up for personalized weekly email reminders and service alerts!