Markham Milk Bag Program

Markham’s Milk Bag Program is a story about how people came together from across the community to create something beautiful from common milk bags. The 4-litre milk bags are colourful, strong, and can be transformed into a variety of products. There are a number of local community groups working hard to collect, weave, and send completed mats to areas of need.

To support these efforts, Markham collects clean milk bags at two recycling depots— Thornhill and Markham Village. Markham also incorporates milk bag activities into summer camp programs, and assists with training for community groups, schools etc. who want to get involved.

Did you know?

• Plastic bags, especially milk bags can last for over 1,000 years in the environment
  
• They are unique to Eastern Canada
  
• Since the start of the program in 2011, Markham community members have helped to divert over 2 million milk bags from the landfill!

Milk Bags and the Greenprint

The Milk Bag Program aligns with the Greenprint – Community Sustainability Plan in several ways:

• Reducing Waste – Keeping milk bags out of our landfills brings us closer to Markham’s goal of zero waste
  
• Protecting the Environment – Reusing milk bags keeps them out of the environment where they can harm wildlife and disrupt the ecosystem
  
• Caring for Each Other – The finished mats are donated to help people in need, locally and worldwide. This is how we build caring and vibrant communities!

Congratulations

Did you know that in October 2015, Markham won the Platinum Award from the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) in the category of Special Municipal Programs!