Textile recycling has returned in Newmarket after it was suspended earlier this year to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Diabetes Canada was very excited to learn that the Town of Newmarket is relaunching their textile diversion program in partnership with Diabetes Canada," said spokesperson Kathleen Powderley.
"Since the fall of 2018, this program has diverted over 33.21 tons of textiles from landfills, which is the equivalent of saving over 123 kilos of water, 4,600 mature trees and removing over 161 cars from the road. These donations also allow us to raise critical funds to support our life-improving diabetes research, education and advocacy efforts," she added.
When the program was suspended due to the pandemic, some residents began dumping their donations outside the locked collection bins located around Newmarket. The situation became bad enough that bins had to be removed in April.
But now the bins have returned and can be found at the following locations:
- Magna Centre at 800 Mulock Dr.
- Ray Twinney Recreation Complex at 100 Eagle St. West
- Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall at 200 Doug Duncan Dr.
The recycling program collects clothes, shoes, curtains, blankets and other textile products from Newmarket residents to divert them from landfills. Without any diversion, roughly five to seven per cent of waste collected in York Region is made up of textile projects.
Click here for a full list of accepted items.
Reusable items are resold to companies such as Value Village, and all of the net proceeds go to Diabetes Canada.
According to the town's director of public works, Mark Agnoletto, recovery and emergency operations staff have worked with Diabetes Canada and Cornerstone to Recovery to develop new protocols for the recycling program to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading with the donations.
"These protocols reminded donors to practise physical distancing if they were donating items and another patron was there or if a driver picking up the items was at the same location at the same time," said Agnoletto.
"Enhanced cleaning protocols are also in place by Diabetes Canada, where the pickup trucks are cleaned before and after each shift with a special focus to high-touch areas."
Residents with donations are also asked to wash their items before taking them to the bins, as well as sanitize their hands after touching the bin handles. If the bins are full, do not leave the donations on the ground outside. Signs will be erected by the bins to remind donors of the safety protocols.
