For immediate release
Thursday, July 28, 2020

Town diverts more than 5,000 lbs of textile waste from landfill

First collection in the new recycling pilot program a success

Aurora, ON – More than 5,000 lbs of waste was diverted from landfill this week as The Town of Aurora launched its new pilot textile recycling program. The program allows selected residents to recycle their old clean clothing, linen, bags and shoes from their doorstep.

The pilot program, launched in partnership with York Region, supports The SM4RT Living Plan, York Region’s Integrated Waste Management Master Plan. The plan sets out goals for our communities to reduce and reuse material before it becomes waste. Residential curbside waste audits showed that more than 4,400 tonnes of waste generated in York Region was in the form of textiles each year.

“I am pleased that our residents were able to divert a significant amount of waste with just one collection. Textile waste collection is an eco-friendly option that allows residents to turn their waste into a valuable resource. I look forward to seeing the overall results of this pilot program and the benefits to our Town,” said Mayor Geoffrey Dawe.

The Town has contracted Textile Waste Diversion, a local textile recycling company, to manage clothing collection bins at four Town facilities and to pilot door-to-door textile collection for the northwest quadrant of Aurora.

Clothing collection bins are available to all Aurora residents at:

• Stronach Aurora Recreation Centre, 2020 Wellington Street East
  Front parking lot at the southeast corner
• Aurora Community Centre, 1 Community Centre Lane
  Front entryway
• Aurora Public Library, 20205 Yonge Street
  Rear parking lot
• Aurora Family Leisure Complex, 135 Industrial Parkway North
  Rear parking lot at the northwest corner
  

If this pilot program is successful, it may be expanded within Aurora and York Region.

For more information on Textile Waste Diversion or any waste-related questions, please call Access Aurora at 905-727-2020.

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Media contact:

Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith
Manager of Corporate Communications
905-727-3123 ext. 4238 | [email protected]