Spring into Action: Six ways Newmarket residents can green-up in celebration of Earth Day

"Earth Day gives us a chance to educate the community about the actions we can all take to help minimize environmental impacts in our neighbourhood," says Mayor John Taylor. "I encourage everyone to participate in one or more of the green events we are offering. Take this opportunity to do some spring cleaning and bring your unwanted electronics and batteries to our recycling event, purchase a rain barrel to help conserve water and reduce runoff, plant a tree at a discounted rate through our partnership with LEAF and finally, participate in our Community Cleanup event. Your participation will collectively help to conserve valuable resources, reduce pollution, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions."

See below for a list of upcoming events and programs in celebration of Earth Day.   

1. Electronics and Battery Recycling Event  

Join us for our Electronics and Battery Recycling event on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert N. Shelton Operations Centre (1275 Maple Hill Court). At this drive-through, drop-off event, residents can bring their unwanted electronics and used batteries to recycle. Electronic items collected at the event will be recycled by Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP. Collected batteries will be recycled by Raw Materials Company Inc. 

Fun fact: At last year’s events, together we diverted 23,607 pounds of electronic items and 1,003 pounds out of landfills.   
 
Accepted items include: 

• Computers 

• Speakers  

• Headphones  

• Cameras, including security cameras  

• Musical instruments  

• Telephones, including cellular phones  

• Parts of information technology, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment sold separately, such as hard drives 

• Used household batteries will also be accepted at this event. 

Please note that items such as motor vehicles, children’s toys, textiles, power tools, small and large appliances (e.g., microwaves, air fryers, toasters, etc.) and information technology, telecommunications, audio-visual (ITT/AV) equipment weighing more than 250 kilograms (551 pounds) are not accepted at this event. 

For a full list of accepted items, visit newmarket.ca/ecoevents  

2. Rain Barrel Sale  
Newmarket will be hosting an online rain barrel pre-order sale through Enviro World. Purchase a rain barrel to help conserve water, reduce stormwater run-off, promote plant and soil health and more! How to order:  

• Visit enviroworld.ca/newmarket and place your order by May 31, 2023 
• The cost of each rain barrel is $70 (tax included)  
• Pick up your rain barrel on June 10 at the Robert N. Shelton Operations Centre (1275 Maple Hill Court) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  
• Bring your proof of purchase and your identification for pick-up. Delivery is not available.  

3. Participate in the 45th annual Community Cleanup presented by TD 
On Saturday, May 6, join the Town of Newmarket for the 45th annual Community Cleanup. Be sure to visit the selected park in your ward to pick up your free Cleanup Kit (while quantities last). After Saturday, May 6th, Cleanup Kits will be made available for pickup at select Customer Service Kiosks until Sunday, May 21 (while quantities last). After picking up a Cleanup Kit, participants are invited to clean up at a time and location of their choosing. See more details on park at newmarket.ca/communitycleanup

4. Plant a tree with LEAF! 
For a limited time, Newmarket residents will receive an additional $100 rebate for planting a tree on their property through the Full Service or Do-It-Yourself program with LEAF. Limit of one rebate per property per year, while supplies last. First come, first served. For more information, visit yourleaf.org

5. Participate in the Newmarket Public Library’s Repair Café with NewMakeIt and York Region  
Have something to repair? Bring it to the Repair Café at the Newmarket Public Library (438 Park Avenue) on April 29, 2023! Residents can book a time slot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to have their items repaired by volunteers. This café is a great way to inspire people to repair their items, instead of throwing it away or buying new ones.

6. Follow these Earth-friendly green tips: 

• Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs consume up to 80 per cent less electricity than conventional ones. 
   
• Consider buying used items instead of new or try repairing them first before replacing them. Donate your old clothes and other textile items through our textile recycling program. 
   
• Try moving towards zero waste to reduce your consumption of single-use items, such as switching to refillable or reusable containers. 
   
• Recycle your batteries. Doing so will keep heavy and harmful metals from contaminating soils, and our groundwater and streams. Bring them to the Town’s Electronics and Battery Recycling Event or drop them off at a battery collection bin located in select Town facilities!
   
• Prioritize walking, cycling or taking public transit instead of using your motor vehicles. Doing so can help to reduce emissions. 

For more information on other ways to support Earth Day, visit EarthDay.ca

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