Markham Breaks Free of Single-Use Plastics!
Styrofoam packaging has never been allowed in the blue box or green bin and starting October 19, 2020, Styrofoam packaging will no longer be collected in the clear bag garbage.
Simply drop off your Styrofoam packaging, at any Markham Recycling Depot.
The curbside collection ban does not include Styrofoam food containers, such as meat trays, take-out containers, cups and plates. Soiled items can still go in clear bag garbage. Do not put in the blue box or green bin.
Help protect the environment by keeping all Styrofoam out of landfill, streets and our waterways! Drop off your Styrofoam packaging along with your clean Styrofoam food containers at a Recycling Depot where they will be responsibly recycled into new products, such as picture frames and crown moulding.
Also exempt from the ban are non-recyclable foam products such as:
-
Packing peanuts
-
Pool noodles
- Rigid foam board (used for construction/renovation projects or as hot tub covers).
These items can still be disposed of as garbage at the curb. Do not bring these items to the recycling depot.
Learn more
In April, 2017, the City of Markham became the first municipality in North America to ban textiles in curbside collection.
Markham’s unique Textile Recycling Program continues to promote and educate waste diversion and encourage residents to support their community!
With over 161 public access locations and 63 multi-residential properties, Markham bins are easy to find! Drop off your clean, unwanted textiles including damaged items, even single socks and shoes!
Learn more
Keep Unwanted Electronics Out of Landfill!
Unwanted, broken electronics 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.
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.
Thinks before you throw:
- 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
What Goes Where Tool
Learn more
Reduce Your Single-use Plastics!
The City of Markham continues to prove its leadership role by demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability 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.
F.O.G Friday
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.
Most 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, and Grease (F.O.G) 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! To prevent any flooding disasters always dispose of your F.O.G in your green bin.
Learn More
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:
-
COVID-19 Virtual Assistant
-
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
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:
-
COVID-19 Virtual Assistant
-
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
