Waste Management Videos

Check out our videos

View our #DurhamWaste Playlist or individual videos listed below.

Durham's Integrated Waste Management System

Durham’s Integrated Waste Management System is a strategic approach to managing waste by combining waste handling and waste reduction strategies that include rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

• Durham's Integrated Waste Management System
• Solid Waste Management Overview
• What happens to your garbage once it leaves the curb

Durham's Five 'R's

Did you know Durham Region Waste uses five 'R's to manage waste? You may be familiar with reducing, reusing and recycling, but here in Durham Region we also prioritize rethinking the products we use and recovering materials that might otherwise be sent to landfills. Watch the videos to learn more about how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources.

• Durham Region's five 'R's
• Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Recover

Circular Economy

The future of waste management in Durham Region includes a circular economy, a model which retains and recovers as much value as possible from resources by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, or repurposing products and materials before they are recycled or thrown out.

• Circular Economy

Green House Gas Emissions and Waste Management Initiatives

Climate change is happening. In efforts to fight climate change and support sustainability, Durham Region is taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint of waste management in our community. Together, with our residents, we will continue to manage waste responsibly for a greener, healthier future.

• Green House Gas Emissions and Waste Management Initiatives

Green Bin Program Basics

• How to properly participate in the green bin program – “The Basics”
• Helpful tips to make green bin use easier – Addressing the “Yuck” Factor

Safe with your waste

Waste collection workers can service up to 1,200 households per day. The number of hours spent lifting waste every day can take a toll on them. To prevent injury to waste collectors, here are some general safety guidelines.

• General safety
• Broken glass and porcelain
• Medical sharps

Reducing Household Waste 

• Household cleaning products: Cleaning the house? Ditch these disposable products from your routine and reduce your household waste.
• Disposable kitchen products: Looking to reduce waste in your kitchen? These tips can help make a big difference! Make the switch and reduce your waste.
• Reduce waste, pack a waste free lunch: Packing a waste free lunch to bring to school or work is a great opportunity to eat healthy, save money, and avoid a lot of waste. This video provides tips to get you started!
• Disposable Grocery Store Items: Heading to the grocery store? Ditch these disposable products, save money and reduce your household waste.
• Disposable Drink Containers: Looking to reduce waste at home and on the go? These tips can help make a big difference! Make the switch and reduce your waste.

Waste Management Facilities

• Durham York Energy Centre: learn how your garbage is processed. 
• Blackstock Landfill Mining Project: In 2018, the Region began an innovative project using landfill mining to improve conditions at the Blackstock Landfill. 

Backyard Composting

Want to try composting at home? Our videos will help get you started! While we encourage you to decrease food waste by making sure to eat what you buy, composting can help take care of what is left.

• Backyard composting 101
• Backyard composting for beginners

Food Waste Prevention

View our Food Waste Prevention playlist or individual videos listed below for tips to reduce food waste at home.

• Revive your wilted vegetables 
• Freeze your herbs  
• Make your own breadcrumbs 
• Make your own croutons 
• Freeze leftover ingredients 
• Use labels 
• Eat or freeze leftovers 
• Use imperfect fruits and vegetables 
• Use some vegetables and fruit peels 
• Make your own broth using vegetable scraps 
• Make your own tomato sauce 
• Make your own jam 
• Make your own soups or stews 
• Make pickled vegetables 
• Think double duty 
• Portion food for children 
• Understanding date labeling 
• Plan your meals 

Careers in Waste Management

It takes dedicated staff, with a wide variety of skill sets, to ensure waste is managed in a way that protects the environment and our communities. Learn more about important roles in our Waste Management Division.

• Waste Disposal Clerk
• Landfill Management
• Contract Administration
• Waste Management Policy Planner
• Waste Management By-law Officer