Newmarket's recycling inspectors want to know what's in your blue box

Town will do random visual inspections between Aug. 17 and 27

Newmarkettoday.ca
Aug. 16, 2021
Joseph Quigley

The recycling inspectors want to know what's in your blue box.

The Town of Newmarket is encouraging responsible blue box habits with random visual inspections throughout August.

The municipality announced a re-launch of its blue box campaign Aug. 12, which will see it run inspections between Aug. 17 and 27. The campaign aims to inform residents about what does not belong in blue boxes, and identify residents doing a good job.

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the community has always been committed to becoming a cleaner and greener town, but improvements are possible.

“We are doing well, but we are hoping to do better,” Taylor said. “With more use of disposable items due to the pandemic, it’s important these items are properly disposed of to keep our contamination rate low, and out of landfills.”

Town staff will use door hangers for inspections. One will state that you have incorrect items in your blue box, while the other will indicate that you are recycling correctly.

The town listed several items that do not belong in blue boxes, including plastic bags, Styrofoam, takeout cups, and food and liquids left in their containers.

The municipality is reminding people to clean out containers before recycling, avoid overfilling a blue box, and avoid putting in items like textiles, batteries and medical waste. Residents unsure of what goes into the recycling can use the Recycle Coach App at newmarket.ca/recyclecoach.

“By only placing accepted items in the blue box for recycling, collectively, our actions will help Newmarket continue to be an environmental leader,” Taylor said.