City hosting virtual education sessions as part of Circular Economy Month

HAMILTON, ON - To commemorate Circular Economy Month and Waste Reduction Week in October, the City of Hamilton’s Waste Management team is hosting two virtual education sessions October 19 and 20 to help educate residents about leaf and yard composting, and putting waste in the right place. All month long, the City will be sharing tips to encourage residents to make environmentally conscious changes every day.

The Circular Economy focuses on the design of products so resources can be reused and reinvested in new products over and over. Rather than just finding recycling solutions, recovery and material reuse is part of the design and manufacturing process of the product from the beginning.

Waste Reduction Week runs from October 17 to 23 with tips on the City’s Recycling and Waste Facebook page each day to remind resident of the resources available to divert items from landfill so they can be properly recycled or reused.

Tips about Community Recycling Centre usage

• Residents can drop off items including appliances, bulky rigid plastics, electronics, household hazardous waste, scrap metal, and tires at any one of the City’s three Community Recycling Centres.
• To see what goes where, download the City’s Waste and Recycling App at hamilton.ca/wasteapp  
• Hazardous waste should never be put in the garbage, poured down drains, or storm sewers and should be dropped off at a Community Recycling Centre.
• Hazardous waste is not picked up at the curb and should be dropped off at a Community Recycling Centre.
• The average person throws away 37 kg of textiles each year. Before tossing your old clothes, try donating or repurposing them. In Hamilton, you can donate or shop at the Reuse Store located at the Mountain Community Recycling Centre.

Residents interested in learning more about the steps they can take at home to help make a positive difference are encouraged to take part in one, or both of the City’s virtual education sessions:

• Leaf and Yard Composting and Collection: Wednesday, October 19, 12 noon to 1 pm
• Put Waste in the Right Place: Wednesday, October 20, 12 noon to 1 pm

Quick Facts

• The Circular Economy focuses on the design of products so resources can be reused and reinvested in new products over and over. Rather than finding recycling solutions, recovery and material reuse is part of the design and manufacturing process of the product from the beginning.
• In 2021, the City’s three Community Recycling Centres received approximately 5200 tonnes of recyclable materials, which were diverted from landfill.
• In 2021, approximately 750 tonnes of Hazardous Waste such as batteries, chemicals, paint and propane cylinders dropped off at the City’s Community Recycling Centres were diverted from landfill.
• Textile waste has been increasing significantly globally even though 95 per cent of those clothes could be reused and recycled.