Durham’s single-use plastics display receives the Municipal Waste Association P&E Silver Award

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham has received the Municipal Waste Association P&E Silver Award in the category Other Tool, for its 2019 Waste Reduction Week campaign and single-use plastics display. The award was presented based on the creativity and innovation that went into advancing public engagement on single-use plastic waste and waste diversion.

On October 23, 2019, Regional Headquarters in Whitby was buried behind a pile of single-use plastics in recognition of Waste Reduction Week and Imagine a Day Without Water. The display represented one third of the 22,000 single-use plastic bottles collected in the Region’s curbside Blue Box program per day—a small glimpse at the more than eight million bottles collected each year.

To reduce single-use plastics, the Region has installed water filling stations at Regional Headquarters, introduced reusable eco containers and compostable straws for take-out meals and drinks, and stopped selling bottled water in the Regional Headquarters cafeteria. Since installing the water filling stations, more than 155,000 single-use water bottles have been saved.

With an innovative approach and focus on bringing climate change action into economic and social development initiatives, Durham is committed to being leaders in waste management through projects such as the Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility and the current Long-Term Waste Management Plan consultation.

Residents are encouraged to watch our single-use plastics video and learn more about Durham Region’s waste reduction initiatives at durham.ca/waste.

Quotes

“Congratulations to staff on this prestigious award and for once again showcasing Durham Region’s environmental leadership. Not only did the single-use plastics display highlight the need for change as a community—it also highlighted our innovative approach and the actions we are taking towards implementing that change. The Region is currently developing a new Long-Term Waste Management Plan that will continue to strive towards positive environmental change.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

“Durham Region is changing the way we think about waste through real world examples that clearly define the impact we have on the environment. Our goal is that through this forward-thinking approach, we will create a cultural shift that will continue to improve the way our community embraces waste reduction. I’m proud of our team and share my congratulations for having their hard work recognized with this award.”

- Gioseph Anello, Director of Waste Management, The Regional Municipality of Durham

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.