Metrolinx textile recycling pilot a GO at Markham's 4 commuter stations

Metrolinx pilot program may be expanded to GO’s entire network of 68 train and bus stations

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 27, 2019
Heidi Riedner

A new pilot program at Markham’s GO stations is giving new life to castaway clothes in more ways than one.

Metrolinx has partnered with Diabetes Canada and the City of Markham to install textile recycling bins at the four stations located at Mount Joy, Unionville, Centennial and Markham.

Metrolinx’s manager of environmental management, Emily Cosburn, said the company is rethinking its waste management strategies and is thrilled to do its small part in keeping more than one-billion tons of textiles out of the garbage each year.

The city of Markham’s textile recycling program already boasts about 150 bins scattered around the municipality, diverting more than 85 per cent of used clothing and fabric from landfill.

Depending upon the success of the Metrolinx pilot and if other municipal partners are interested, the program may be expanded to GO’s entire network of 68 train and bus stations, Cosburn added.

All of the items collected help support initiatives led by Diabetes Canada.

More than $5 million is invested annually in diabetes research in part because of clothing donations, said Simon Langer, national manager of government and strategic partnerships for Diabetes Canada.

“Revenue generated from used clothing and textiles also goes toward sending more than 2,000 kids with Type 1 diabetes to diabetes camps across Canada,” he added.

All grades of textiles are accepted as long as they are clean, dry and odourless.

More than half of the donated items are sold through retail partners like Value Village.

Items that are past their shelf life are turned into other products like bags and insulation, rather than being thrown in the landfill.

Ultimately, 95 per cent of all textiles placed in the bins are diverted from landfill, according to Diabetes Canada.

Safety is also paramount for Metrolinx,

While there has never been an incident in Markham where someone was either stuck in a bin entrance or caught inside a bin, up to eight people died in Canada in the closing months of 2018 from climbing into or being stuck in clothing bins.

Metrolinx advised its bins have been reviewed by a third-party engineering company to ensure they are not a risk to the public. Bins will also be emptied regularly to ensure they aren’t overflowing or become an eyesore.