Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

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Solid Waste Statistics & Facts in Canada

Almost 25 million tonnes of non-hazardous waste were disposed in Canada in 2010 (Ontario disposed the most)

On a per capita basis, a total of 729 kg of waste was disposed per person in 2010 (Alberta was the highest)

Slightly more than one third of waste for disposal came from residential sources

The total amount of materials diverted for recycling or composting was 8.1 million tonnes, or 236 kg per person in 2010

There is concern that Canada’s landfills are reaching capacity and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sites for new ones

Source: Statistics Canada / www.ec.gc.ca

The importance of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The most effective way to reduce the garbage is reducing the amount of solid waste produced

By reducing waste at the source, you save the resources like water and energy

Like reducing, reusing avoids creating waste rather than trying to recycle it once it's already there

Operating a well-run recycling program costs less than waste collection and landfilling

Importance of 3Rs…

Recycling helps families save money, because they pay for less disposal costs

Generally, recycling produces less air and water pollution than manufacturing with new materials

By recycling you send less materials to landfills, which will keep them for future

Proper disposal and recycling will prevent water and soil contamination and its potential adverse impacts on public health

Recycling Council of British Columbiahttp://rcbc.bc.ca/

Did you know that… It takes 24 trees to make 1 ton of newspaper 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough

energy to power a computer for 25 minutesRecycling creates four jobs for every one job

created in the disposal industriesRecycling one aluminum can saves enough

energy to run a TV for three hoursThe amount of wood and paper, we throw away

each year is enough to heat 50,000,000

homes for 20 years

Source: http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk

Barriers to recycling by recycling participation, 2007

Source(s): Statistics Canada, Households and the Environment Survey, 2007

Material prepared for recycling, by weight, 2008 (Waste management industry)

Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 153-0043

What Happens to the Recycled Materials?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_rnAVvX-Zg

Municipal programs for Waste management in Toronto

In 2008, charges for size of bins Curbside collection: blue bin for recyclables, green bin

for organics and gray for garbage Separate curbside collection of electronics now available The Green bin program collects food waste, wet-paper,

diapers and pet waste Green bin program for multi-unit buildings now

underway- 8% now have a collection In 2012, 52% of residential waste was diverted (66% of

single-family homes, 24% in multi-unit) The goal is 70% diversion

York region’s special waste Management Programs

Residents of York region should not put plastic bags, wrap and film in the blue box

Plastic Bag Take-Back Program: you can drop off plastic bags at retail stores across the York region so they can be sent for recycling

They also should not put shredded paper in the blue box due to their difficulty to be managed

York region residents can use an online Bindicator to find the best options for where it should go by

entering the item or select a category in the

www.York.ca

Some Tips Guide to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reducing tips:

While shopping, reduce your waste by avoiding pointless purchasesLook for products with less packaging or buy them in

bulkRent, share or borrow items that are not used

frequently like tools, party decorationsFor shopping, use your own cloth bagsSwitch to e-bills to save paper whenever possible

Reusing tips:

Purchase more durable products that can be repaired and reusedDonate reusable items to schools, churches, or other charity organizationsBuy products that can be reused like rechargeable batteries, refillable bottles instead of cansBefore you throw any item away, think how you can reuse them like scrap papers or your old clothesConsider buying used items from reuse centres

Recycling tips:

You can recycle your leftover foods, yard leaves by composting in your gardenUse recycling services which are provided by your municipality or take-back programsBuy products that are recyclable or made from recycled materials by checking their labels Hazardous wastes are difficult to recycle so try to find non-toxic alternatives and products Try your best to put waste in its right place and

ask for help if you are not sure!

Planning for tomorrow: Toronto's long term waste resource management strategy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glW01V3ugfk

References

City of Toronto: Garbage & Recycling. http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=03ec433112b02410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Statistics Canada: Recycling by Canadian households, 2010. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-001-m/2010013/aftertoc-aprestdm1-eng.htm

Environment Canada: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. https://www.ec.gc.ca/gdd-mw/default.asp?lang=en&n=D3A22BDD-1

Recycling Guide: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/rrr.html

A Recycling Revolution: Recycling benefits. http://www.recycling-revolution.com/index.html

York Region: Garbage and Recycling. http://www.york.ca