From June 17 to July 18, town staff will be visiting randomly selected neighbourhoods to encourage the use of green bins
The Town of Newmarket is launching a new green bin campaign in the hopes of seeing more residents using them to dispose of organic waste.
From June 17 to July 18, town staff will be visiting randomly selected neighbourhoods to encourage the use of green bins. Households not currently participating in the green bin program may see a door hanger with important information on the program and how they can participate.
“Composting is one of the easiest and most impactful ways Newmarket residents can contribute to a cleaner and greener community,” Mayor John Taylor said in a news release. “By using the town’s green bin program, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and turning green bin material into renewable biogas (for electricity and heat), compost and fertilizer. It’s an easy way to help the environment.”
You can take part in a waste management survey for a chance to win one of three $50 gift cards to a local Newmarket business. Learn more and complete the survey by Monday, June 30 at HeyNewmarket.ca/GreenBin.
Newmarket’s green bin program
The Town of Newmarket offers weekly green bin collection. Place green bins at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day (no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before). Items accepted in the green bin include:
Coffee filters/grounds and tea bags Eggs and eggshells Fat, grease and lard (solidified) Fruits and vegetables Bread Pasta Herbs, spices and sauces Meat, fish and shellfish (including bones) Cardboard that contains food residue (e.g., pizza box soiled with sauce, cheese, etc.) Paper towels/napkins and tissues Diapers Sanitary products Pet food, litter, waste and fur and much more
Use certified compostable bags to line your green bin or kitchen catcher, ensuring all organic waste is properly bagged and securely tied. While compostable bags are preferred, clear plastic bags are also accepted. Please do not place organic waste in black garbage bags, as it will not be collected.
Getting started is easy, and to help residents start a greener journey, the Town of Newmarket is offering reduced-price green bins and kitchen catchers from June 16 to July 14.
Green bins are available for $20.92 (regularly $29.89), and kitchen catchers are $6.13 (regularly $8.76). Purchase your bins online through newmarket.perfectmind.com or by calling customer service at 905-895-5193. Bins will be delivered to your home by GFL. Green bins and kitchen catchers are also available for purchase in-person using debit or credit at the following locations:
Municipal offices (395 Mulock Dr.) Magna Centre (800 Mulock Dr.) Ray Twinney Recreation Complex (100 Eagle St.) Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place (474 Davis Dr.) Robert N. Shelton Operations Centre (1275 Maple Hill Court) Newmarket green bin use
Composting plays a vital role in reducing landfill waste and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In Newmarket, GFL collects an average of 7,200 metric tonnes of organic waste annually. Newmarket currently sends 76 kilograms of waste to the green bin per person, surpassing the York Region target of 71 kg per capita by 2031. However, this is a decrease from 2023, when Newmarket hit 80 kg per capita. Newmarket residents each have a role to play to help divert more from the trash can to the green bin.
Here are some opportunities for waste diversion:
Approximately one-third of garbage collected could go into the green bin: 12 per cent of food waste still goes into the garbage. 11 per cent of waste from diapers, sanitary products, and pet waste is improperly disposed. Nine per cent of paper towels and tissues also end up in the garbage.
For more information, visit Newmarket.ca/GreenBin.
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