Whitby residents looking to keep usable items out of the waste stream have options ranging from clothing donations to free electronics drop-offs, according to Durham Region, which is highlighting local reuse habits for Circular Economy Month in October.
Among the residents featured is Joyce of Whitby, who regularly shops at thrift stores, repairs small tears in her clothing and passes along items she no longer needs.
In a Durham Region post, Joyce said she donates clothing in good condition to thrift stores, relatives or friends. She also air dries clothes whenever possible to help keep them in good condition.
The Region says Canadians discard nearly 500 million kilograms of clothing and fabric-containing household goods each year. Its Environment Days accept clothing and textiles in good condition for donation to charities, and marked donation bins are available at regional waste management facilities.
The examples reflect a circular economy approach: keeping products and materials useful through reuse, repair, refurbishment and repurposing before recycling or disposal.
The post identifies five priority material categories for waste reduction in Canada: construction, renovation and demolition materials; textiles; electronics and critical minerals; packaging; and food.
Electronics and household waste options
Durham residents can drop off unwanted electronics, including batteries, at regional waste management facilities for recycling free of charge throughout the year. Electronics are also accepted at Environment Days, and residents can book a special curbside collection.
The Region also offers twice-yearly curbside collection of household batteries. Its post highlights an Ajax resident, Maddie, who bought refurbished components for a gaming computer rather than purchasing new parts.
For packaging, the Region points to a Bowmanville family's practice of buying snacks in bulk or making them at home, then using reusable containers for school and work lunches.
Durham says it supports plastics recycling through the Blue Box program managed by Circular Materials. Green bin material is processed at an anaerobic digestion facility, which enabled the Region to accept some mixed-material products, including diapers and menstrual products.
Reuse extends to roads and food
The Region has also tested Hot in Place Recycling for road work. According to Durham, the pilot recovered and reused all existing aggregates and asphalt cement, generating no pavement waste and reducing the need for newly mined and transported material.
For household food waste, Durham offers advice on meal planning, storage and using leftovers. Residents can also purchase backyard composters online through the Region's home delivery service to turn suitable food scraps into compost for their gardens.
