It’s easy to recycle and compost in Durham

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 26, 2015
Katherine Ross-Perron

With the Durham York Energy Centre now processing solid waste, one of the biggest questions we receive is, how will this facility affect the Region’s recycling and composting programs?

Maximizing diversion remains our No. 1 priority. We are dedicated to improving our diversion rates by continuing to invest in reusing, recycling and composting programs. The DYEC facility was designed to process the residual waste that Durham and York regions generate after our blue box, green bin and other diversion efforts. Through the Environmental Assessment Conditions of Approval, Durham and York are required to report to the Ministry of the Environment annually on how well our waste diversion programs are doing and evolving.

That being said, the success of our diversion programs ultimately comes down to you. It starts with making smart purchasing decisions that result in less waste. It means ensuring the waste you produce is properly separated into your green bin and blue boxes every week, and making sure household hazardous waste is properly disposed of at any one of the Region’s waste management facilities or community events. It also means recycling outdated electronic equipment at the Region’s waste management facilities, community event or curbside collection where available. Residents can also utilize retailer take-back programs for medications, plastic shopping bags and alcohol beverage containers. The programs are there; it’s up to you to use them.

The Region of Durham’s By-law 46-2011 requires residents to properly sort their recyclables from compostables and keep them out of the garbage and place them in the proper containers for collection. If you do not have the tools (green bin/blue boxes) or resources to help you, contact the Region’s waste management call centre at 1-800-667-5671 or e-mail waste@durham.ca .

The Region’s bylaw compliance officers conduct extensive door-to-door outreach to help residents’ participation in our diversion programs. They also check residential curbside bins throughout the region. If materials are found in the wrong bin, a tag is posted on the resident’s bin that indicates their error and how to correct it. The bylaw officers return the next week, looking to ensure that the error was corrected. As with most other legislation, waste collection bylaws contain provisions for penalties associated with violations of the bylaw. Durham is committed to educating the community about the importance of participating in waste diversion programs before any fines are imposed.

As a resident of Durham Region, it’s easy to recycle and compost. Also consider donating or selling your unwanted items before throwing them away. If you’re unsure about what goes where, refer to your waste collection calendar or use the online waste sorting tool (durham.ca/knowbeforeyouthrow) to get more information. With full participation in the existing programs, Durham Region could divert more than 70 per cent of its garbage from disposal.

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-- Katherine Ross-Perron is a waste management technician with the Region of Durham.