Town of Markham - Increasing Waste Diversion from Landfill beyond 70%
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Waste
Project value$64,600
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
Multiple Diversion Types
Grant amount$24,500
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Markham, ON
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
338,503
Project timeline
2008 - 2011
Project number
9654
Description
The Town of Markham will test a pilot program for the mandatory use of clear garbage bags and the use of a new type of flexible blue box lid to increase the volume of existing blue boxes, make the best use of the town’s Blue Box and Green Bin programs, and increase waste diversion. A recent waste audit revealed that 32 per cent of residential waste going to landfill was composed of 70 per cent recyclables and organics. Use of transparent bags for garbage will reduce inappropriate disposal practices. The blue box lid, together with clear bags for organics, is expected to increase access to diversion. It is expected that successful introduction of the program will significantly reduce the amount of divertible materials in the residual waste stream and boost Markham’s waste diversion rate from 69 per cent in 2006 to 75 per cent in 2009.
Applicant
Town of Markham, ON