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The City of Vaughan is a leader in waste management. Vaughan’s early commitment to York Region’s SM4RT Living Plan (Waste Management Master Plan) further strengthens that leadership. This plan identifies initiatives that set the stage for waste management to 2059 and beyond, focussing on the four Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover – working toward a “world in which nothing goes to waste.”
The SM4RT Living Plan sets long-term waste reduction targets for garbage and organics. By 2031, the City of Vaughan’s goal is for each household in Vaughan to reduce and recycle an additional bag of garbage per collection, and reduce food waste in organics by planning, shopping and consuming all food purchased.
The City of Vaughan and York Region work together to collect and process household waste
Municipal solid waste is a shared responsibility across all governments. The City operates within a two-tier municipal structure, which means two levels of government provide services to the community – a local municipality and a regional municipality. Vaughan is accountable for managing the curbside collection of residential organics, recycling, garbage and leaf and yard waste and appliance/large metal item collection. In contrast, York Region is responsible for recycling sorting facilities, composting organics, garbage disposal and long-range plans. The provincial and federal governments establish waste regulation and programs and approve and monitor waste management facilities and operations.
Actions citizens can take to reduce waste
Everyone plays a part in keeping the environment clean, green and healthy. What actions do you take to reduce, reuse and recycle? There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint without having to dramatically change your lifestyle. Here are a few tips to help you make a difference for the environment:
Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
Waste-less Virtual Visits
City staff are offering one-on-one Waste-less Virtual Visit sessions – via FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype– to help citizens understand how to properly dispose items, reduce landfill and answer any questions related to the City’s waste collection program. To book an appointment, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.
Green Directions Vaughan
Everyone is responsible for their everyday actions that impact the health of this fantastic city. That’s why in 2019, Council adopted the new Green Directions Vaughan initiative. Council first approved it in 2009 as the City of Vaughan’s Community Sustainability and Environmental Master Plan. This long-term plan guides the community to a more sustainable future by addressing environmental, cultural, social and economic values, complementing the goals of York Region’s SM4RT Living Plan. Driven by a definition of sustainability, environmental ethics and a set of principles, Green Directions Vaughan outlines the City’s approach to maintaining a healthy, natural environment, vibrant communities and a strong economy. Learn about opportunities to take more environmentally friendly actions at home and access resources to more information.
Environmental Services
Phone: 905-832-2281
Email: service@vaughan.ca