Richmond Hill calls for everyday actions to build sustainable city as Earth Day events cancelled amid COVID-19

York Region reminding residents not to litter or pick up PPE masks, gloves

Yorkregion.com
April 23, 2021

Richmond Hill’s annual cleanup and green-up weeks and Earth Day tree-planting events have been cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, but people are encouraged to take alternate actions to help build a more sustainable community.

York Region residents are reminded to refrain from littering their PPE items after the region reported a noticeable increase in masks, gloves and wipes being scattered in parks and business plazas.

Those items are also being discarded improperly or misplaced in the blue box, according to Environmental Promotion and Protection director Laura McDowell.

To address blue box contamination, the region's SM4RT Living Plan, recently updated in 2020, includes a voluntary "ask first" program to reduce single-use items.

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 into contact with COVID-19.

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

Every regional road is patrolled regularly and 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.

"Together with our local cities and towns, (the region) 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.

In the case where residents want to participate in a Ministry of the 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 -- that reinforces how to properly relate and dispose of household items. Residents can also take quizzes, and ask each other and the region questions.

Meanwhile, the City of Richmond Hill is recommending five regular actions people can take to contribute to a more sustainable community.

1. Plant native trees, shrubs or wildflowers on your property (available through the Healthy Yards Program and/or LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program).

2. Start a vegetable garden in your own yard! You can start small with one or two containers, with easy-to-grow vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers, or even a small herb garden in your kitchen windowsill. If there is no space in your yard, visit RichmondHill.ca/CommunityGarden to see gardening opportunities.

3. Reduce the amount of waste you generate by choosing reusable items; repurposing, donating or selling used items and following recycling guidelines to increase diversion and reduce contamination in the blue box.

4. Reduce energy consumption at home by turning off lights and appliances when not needed and by upgrading to energy-efficient lights and appliances.

5. Ride your bicycle, walk or take transit -- especially for short trips within one kilometre of your home.

The city is hosting a virtual Earth Day event, "Growing Green: Actions for a Sustainable City," on April 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Free registration is available at RichmondHill.ca/EarthDay