Greening Vaughan is the City’s multi-phased waste management strategy that focuses on enhancing and/or introducing opportunities and programs to divert waste from landfill.
The overall goal of this program is to divert 60% of Vaughan’s waste from landfill by 2008. This is consistent with regional and provincial waste management targets.
Phase 1
The first phase of Greening Vaughan was launched on September 13, 2005. This phase:
- Increased the recycling collection frequency from every other week to weekly.
- Expanded the type of materials that can be recycled.
- Introduced a 4 item limit for garbage collection, with any item exceeding this limit requiring a garbage tag. Garbage tags were provided free during the first phase of this program.
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Phase 1 was a huge success! The City experienced a 55% increase in the amount of recycling collected curbside. This dramatic increase in recyclable materials resulted in a significant change to the City’s overall diversion rate (waste not taken to landfill). The diversion rate factors in materials diverted through programs such as recycling collection, leaf and yard collection, metal/appliance recovery and the Region’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot. Prior to the launch of Greening Vaughan , the City’s diversion rate was 17%. With the changes implemented in the first phase of this program, the City’s overall diversion rate increased to 27%, a whopping 10% increase. Way to go Vaughan residents!
Phase 2
The second phase of Greening Vaughan was launched on November 14, 2006. This phase:
- Introduced a separate collection for household organic (green bin) material.
- Changed the garbage collection limit to 3 items per week, with any item exceeding this limit requiring a paid garbage tag.
Vaughan citizens are embracing the changes implemented in this phase of the program. The City is observing promising participation rates (over 60%) in the green bin program and a reduction in the amount of traditional garbage placed out for collection. |
Phase 3
Phase 3 of Greening Vaughan began the week of September 11, 2007. This phase brought the City’s waste collection services in line with neighbouring municipalities.
In the City of Vaughan GARBAGE is collected EVERY OTHER WEEK. Residents are permitted a 3 item limit for garbage / every other week. A paid garbage tag is required for any item that exceeds the limit.
The 3 item limit only refers to GARBAGE and DOES NOT include blue box, green bin or leaf & yard waste materials. There is NO LIMIT on the number of blue boxes or green bins that can be set out for collection every week at the curb. Similarly, during the leaf & yard waste collection season, residents can put out unlimited amounts of material, as long as it meets the City’s set-out requirements. For details on the City’s set out requirements, please refer to the corresponding section on the Greening Vaughan website homepage. |
Resident Testimonies
“We love it. The program is fantastic.”
Franca Capone - Maple
“The green bin program has drastically reduced the amount of garbage I place out for collection.
Gilda Martellacci - Woodbridge
“Not only is the green bin a great way to reduce my garbage, it also makes me feel good that I am doing something for the environment.”
Laura Venditti - Maple |
This project was carried out with assistance
from the Green Municipal Fund, a Fund financed by the Government
of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Notwithstanding this support, the views expressed are the
personal views of the authors, and the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities and the Government of Canada accept no responsibility
for them. |
