York Region residents divert 33 tonnes of reusable goods through Reuse/Drop-off events with Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity

Resident participation drives 69 per cent increase in diversion over last year

NEWMARKET – York Region residents diverted over 33 tonnes of reusable goods from landfills through four Reuse/Drop-off events hosted this year by The Regional Municipality of York in partnership with Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity.

This year’s total of 33 tonnes of reusable items is a 69-per cent increase over the 19.3 tonnes collected last year. Thanks to the participation of hundreds of York Region residents, over 31 tonnes of reusable items were collected for Goodwill and two tonnes collected for Habitat for Humanity.

The Reuse/Drop-off events were held at various locations across York Region, including York Region’s Waste Management Centre in the Town of East Gwillimbury, the Region’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot in the City of Vaughan and Hillcrest shopping centre in the Town of Richmond Hill. The events were hosted in partnership with Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity to ensure the reusable goods were directed back into the community.

Reuse/Drop-off events were developed to educate residents about the options available when disposing of reusable items and renovation materials. Items collected at the events include clothes, housewares, books, CDs/DVDs, tools, fabrics, games, sports equipment and kitchen cabinetry. Over 900 kilograms of shredded paper was also collected for recycling at these events.

This is the fourth year York Region has hosted Reuse/Drop-off events and the program will continue in 2008. To date, York Region residents have diverted over 60 tonnes of reusable goods through participation in Reuse/Drop-off events.

For more information on Reuse/Drop-off events or other Solid Waste Management programs, please visit www.york.ca/waste or call 1-877-464-9675 Extension 5746.