Newmarket postpones Earth Day community cleanups amid pandemic but offers tree planting program

Region of York advises residents not to pick up PPE litter, call local town or city

Yorkregion.com
April 19, 2021

The provincial COVID-19 stay-at-home order has forced Newmarket to postpone its community cleanup and E-waste recycling events but there are other ways to celebrate Earth Day April 22.

Meanwhile, the Region of York is hoping Earth Day will remind residents not to litter, a problem that is on the increase, according to Environmental Promotion and Protection director Laura McDowell.

Municipal crews are currently focused on spring cleanup, which includes street sweeping, debris cleanup and flushing road islands and curbs to prevent pollutants from entering water systems.

"York Region, together with our local cities and towns, works to promote positive environmental practices and to help raise awareness for the need to reduce waste and to recycle, compost or dispose of items responsibly, specifically single-use plastics," McDowell said.

Litter consisting of PPE masks and gloves has also been noticed around the region, specifically in park grounds and business plazas.

However, residents are urged not to pick up PPE litter amid the pandemic, since the risks are far too high in case the PPE came in contact with COVID-19, she said.

Staff across the municipalities are trained to pick up litter safely, wearing proper PPE, and using special tools. When residents come across litter, they are asked to contact their city or town, who will then dispatch staff.

In the case where residents want to participate in a Ministry of Environment, Conservations and Parks cleanup, they can refer to this guide https://files.ontario.ca/mecp-litter-cleanup-guide-en-2020-10-16.pdf, which, for example, advises you to wear PPE and maintain social distancing.

The region also has an ongoing weekly social media campaign - Waste Wednesday, available at https://www.facebook.com/YorkRegionGovt - that reinforces how to properly relate and dispose of household items. Residents can also take quizzes and ask each other and the region questions.

Residents can also report litter along regional roads using the York Region Report a Problem mobile app, at https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/yorkregion/yr/reportaproblem or by emailing transportation@york.ca

Locally, for its backyard tree planting program, Newmarket is again partnering with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) to provide trees at a discounted rate.

Participants will qualify for an additional $100 rebate to be used towards the purchase of a new tree while quantities last.

Planting trees are important as trees intercept, absorb and filter rainfall, which helps reduce the amount of stormwater runoff entering our waterways.

Every tree planted through this partnership will contribute to Newmarket’s urban forest, which has the potential to divert 36,000 litres of stormwater.

For more information, visit newmarket.ca/LID.

Meanwhile, as of July 1, the town is eliminating single-use plastics from all municipal facilities, buildings and events.

The town is also offering reducing, reusing and recycling tips to help keep items out of landfills:

• Recycle items such as boxboard, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass, metal cans and newspaper in your blue box. Remember to rinse cans and jars before putting them in the blue box.

• Bring reusable bags when shopping. Keep a few reusable bags in the trunk of your vehicle or right by the door so they are always available.

• Plan your meals for the week. Buying only groceries you know you will eat helps reduce food waste, which saves you money too.

• Avoid using single-use plastics like plastic straws, cutlery, bags, take-out cups, beverage containers and more. Many of these items are not always disposed of properly and end up as litter polluting parks and waterways.

Not sure what item goes where?

Use the Recycle Coach app, which is available through the mobile app store or online at newmarket.ca/recyclecoach.

“The town is excited to celebrate Earth Day with a focus on reducing, reusing and recycling and our partnership with LEAF and their backyard tree planting program, Mayor John Taylor said.

“By continuously diverting waste from our landfills, and planting more trees, collectively we will be able to save energy, reduce deforestation, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.”