Celebrating Circular Economy Month in Kawartha Lakes

October 08, 2024

Kawartha Lakes – October is Circular Economy Month in Canada.

What is the circular economy?
Building a circular economy is critical for addressing the climate and ecological crisis. Circular economies minimize waste by recycling and reusing resources instead of throwing them away. They have the potential to address environmental challenges and decrease social inequities while creating business opportunities. Circular economy projects focus on designing waste and pollution out of our economic system, keeping products and materials in circulation, and regenerating natural systems to address climate change, biodiversity loss and social challenges.

Supporting the circular economy locally
In Kawartha Lakes, we support the circular economy through our Waste Division with some of the waste diversion programs we offer our residents. The textile recycling program, paint reuse program, leaf and yard waste program and Lindsay and Fenelon Habitat for Humanity Drop-off program are all ways that you can make a difference and participate in the circular economy locally.

Textile (clothing, linen, footwear) Recycling
Textile bins are available to accept donations at all five of the municipality’s landfills for reuse and recycling during regular landfill hours. Textiles must be in a clear bag, and are free to drop off. Stained and ripped items that are not reusable are ok, as they will be recycled.

Textiles donated through this program are collected by Talize/Recycling Rewards and brought to a sorting facility. Textiles go to Talize thrift stores where they may be sold or redistributed. Non-reusable textiles are sent to companies that recycle them into upholstery, stuffing, or rags. Items that cannot be reused or recycled go to landfill.

Talize/Recycling Rewards has an amazing 98% diversion rate of all materials they accept.

Paint Reuse Program
Residents can take advantage of our Paint Reuse program from May 1 to October 15. The Paint Reuse program allows you to pick up or drop off used paint at the Fenelon and Lindsay Ops landfill household hazardous waste depots free of charge while supplies last. Used paint (latex or oil), and stains will be available in one gallon and one quart cans for free. Save money and keep paint out of the waste stream.

Lindsay and Fenelon Habitat for Humanity Drop-off
Did you know that there is a bin at the Lindsay Ops landfill and a Reuse Building at the Fenelon landfill where you can drop off reuse items for the local Habitat for Humanity Store? Instead of landfilling your old items, you can donate them to the Habitat for Humanity Store where they could be given a second life by someone in need.

Acceptable items include:

bulky items (dressers, desks, chairs, cabinets, bed frames, mirrors, tables, outdoor furniture)
houseware and kitchenware (plates, pots and pans, glasses, mugs, utensils, teapots, paintings, pictures, serving bowls, decorative accessories, small mirrors)
construction and demolition materials (doors, windows, used wood in good condition, sinks, vanities, tiles in good condition)
outdoor equipment (skis, golf clubs, snowshoes, bicycles, rollerblades, ski or snowboard boots, shovels, seed spreaders, non-motorized grass mower)
functioning power tools

Please note, items being donated to the Habitat for Humanity drop-offs must be from smoke free and pet free households.

Leaf and Yard Waste Collection and Pick-up
The municipality offers curbside collection of leaf and yard waste every spring and fall. Residents are also able to drop off up to 250 kilograms of their leaf and yard waste at the landfill free of charge.

Once leaf and yard waste is collected it’s turned into woodchips and mulch for the community. On Wednesdays, residents are able to come to the Lindsay Ops landfill to pick-up woodchips and mulch for free. Not only does it save you money, but it saves you putting more potential waste into the waste stream.

Using reuse programs, local buy and sell groups, and hosting or shopping at garage sales are all simple and effective ways that you can participate in the circular economy on a local level.

Learn more on the Circular Economy Month website.

We need your input on a survey for our updated Integrated Waste Management Strategy

Reducing waste in the municipality is a joint effort between everyone in the community. Help us serve your waste management needs by filling out our Integrated Waste Management survey today.

Jump In to take the survey and help shape the future of waste management in Kawartha Lakes.

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