Brampton - The Region of Peel's Organics Recycling Program is celebrating its one year anniversary.
The program, which launched in April 2007 to all households in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon that receive curbside waste collection services, has diverted more than 31,000 tonnes of organic material from disposal. That is enough organic material to fill 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
"Many residents have embraced the program since day one, and because of their recycling efforts the Region has diverted an enormous amount of organic waste from disposal," says Councillor Elaine Moore, Chair of the Environment, Transportation and Planning Services Committee. "Everyone's participation in the program makes a difference, and collectively we are helping to make Peel an environmentally sustainable community."
Organics recycling is an important component of the Region's Long Term Waste Resource Management Strategy, which aims to divert 70 per cent of waste from disposal by 2016. As a result of the Organics Recycling Program, the Region's waste diversion rate has increased from 45 per cent in 2006 to 50 per cent in 2007.
"Approximately 50 per cent of households that received a green bin are participating in the program," says Andrew Pollock, Director of Waste Management. "We encourage all households to get involved in the program by placing their food waste and soiled paper products in their green bin. It's easy to do and the environmental benefits are substantial."
Participating in the Organics Recycling Program reduces the amount of garbage residents set out at the curb each week, which reduces the Region's dependency on landfill for disposal.
"Landfills are a costly and unsustainable solution for dealing with food waste," says Pollock. "When food waste is sent to landfill it produces greenhouse gases as it decomposes. However, when food waste is placed in the green bin, it is converted into a compost product by the Region of Peel."
Compost is a valuable soil conditioner, which improves soil structure, holds moisture and adds important nutrients. It can be used as a soil enhancer for gardens, as mulch, or for top dressing lawns. For information on purchasing the Region's compost, visit www.peelregion.ca/waste or call the Region at 905-791-9499.
The Region of Peel provides waste management services in the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and in the Town of Caledon. For more information on these programs call the Region of Peel at 905-791-9499 or in long-distance areas of Caledon call 905-584-2216, free of charge. Visit www.peelregion.ca/waste.
The Region of Peel delivers a wide range of programs and services to more than one million citizens every day. This includes ambulance services, public health, long-term care, child care, waste collection, recycling and disposal, water and wastewater services, Regional road construction and maintenance, social assistance and affordable rental housing. Regional Headquarters are located at 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton, ON. Phone Number: 905-791-7800.