Durham Region’s two-stream Blue Box recycling program

Whitby, Ontario – Have you ever wondered why you’re asked to separate paper and containers loosely into different blue boxes and not bags when recycling? It’s because Durham Region uses a two-stream Blue Box recycling program, which helps to keep paper products clean and protects their value.

“Our collection vehicles have two separate compartments for paper and containers,” explains Mirka Januszkiewicz, Director of Waste Management Services. “We have a Blue Box recycling program that separates loose recyclables at the curb, so our Recycling Facility can receive less contaminated materials. These already sorted and loose recyclables result in better quality material, lower operating costs and more diversion.”

The Recycling Facility is meant to sort cans, bottles, paper and cardboard; it cannot sort recyclables in plastic bags. Recyclables in bags damage machines, drive up costs and diminish the quality of materials. These single-use plastic bags are not recyclable in our program and end up as garbage at the Recycling Facility.

“We encourage our residents to keep up their great work of separating their recycling and placing it loosely in Blue Boxes,” continues Ms. Januszkiewicz. “That way, we can all help our two-stream recycling program succeed in protecting the environment while saving time and money.”

For more recycling tips and information, like how to pack and sort your blue boxes and where to place an item you’re unsure of, visit durham.ca/Waste or use our Know Before You Throw tool available at durham.ca/KnowBeforeYouThrow. For information on receiving new bins, or replacing broken blue boxes or green bins, visit durham.ca/WasteBins. Some local municipal offices may also exchange broken blue boxes. Contact your local area municipality for details.

– 30 –

For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.