York Region residents recycle 91 per cent of their garbage
The Regional Municipality of York said it achieved 91 per cent waste diversion in 2016

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 1, 2017
Ali Raza

It seems York Region residents remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

The region has reported that 91 per cent of waste destined for the landfill was successfully diverted in 2016. It just exceeds the 90-per-cent goal the region placed for the year.

Blue bin recyclables accounted for 84,000 tonnes, organics (green bin), 97,000 tonnes and yard waste 37,000 tonnes of the wast diverted.

Household hazardous waste and waste electronics made up 1,200 tonnes and 1,400 tonnes, respectively.

The rate is impressive when compared to the Region of Peel, which for 2016 scored a waste diversion rate of 50.2 per cent just missing its intended goal of 52 per cent.

The region credits its waste reduction to a variety of initiatives, including the SM4RT Living Plan, which laid out 32 initiatives for the region to complete between 2014 and 2018.

Additionally, through the Durham York Energy Centre, the region captures energy content from waste after its recycled, allowing for a higher waste diversion rate.

For residents wondering where to properly discard of their waste, the region offers a Bindicator at York.ca, a search tool to help you find out which waste goes where.