Durham Region Businesses: Waste Diversion Pioneers

WHITBY, Ontario - June 18, 2018 - PRLog -- On average, each person in the Ontario produces more than 850 kilograms of waste every year. Over the past 10 years, we have only recycled about 25 per cent of our waste which has resulted in over eight million tonnes of our waste being sent to landfill each year. However, this is starting to change.

The push to divert waste from landfills is growing. Zero waste goals are increasingly being embraced by progressive communities and companies that see value in turning waste streams into profit streams, and the growing zero waste buy-in on a corporate level is impressive.

Durham Region is home to several progressive companies that have taken the concept of waste diversion into their own hands. Local manufacturer Canada Rubber Group is committed to waste diversion and were proud to announce that they diverted over 45 metric tons of waste from landfill in 2017 alone.

"This is just the beginning for our team at Canada Rubber Group." Remarked Gord Sirrs, President of Canada Rubber Group. "As an organization we are committed to reducing our impact on the local environment and waste diversion, in addition to our other sustainability objectives, is a significant part of that strategy."

The Oshawa Centre is another local leader in waste diversion. A strict waste management strategy was implemented as part of their recent renovation and they are now working toward waste diversion targets.

"The Oshawa Centre strives to be a leader in sustainability in our community," commented Craig Walsh, Operations Manager at the Oshawa Centre, "our most recent project is to achieve an 80% waste diversion rate which requires the participation of our staff, our tenants and the community working together."

Additionally, local environmental non-profit EcoBusiness Network, an organization that supports businesses working toward reducing their environmental impact, has a particular focus on looking for waste diversion solutions for its members like Canada Rubber Group and the Oshawa Centre.

"Waste is a big concern for local businesses." Said Christine Ball, Executive Director of EcoBusiness Network. "Not only is the cost of waste management a significant burden for companies big and small, waste also represents an opportunity for our local businesses to make a big impact on reducing their environmental footprint. Waste diversion can represent both a financial win and an environmental win."

Industry, businesses and communities alike are beginning to set aggressive waste reduction targets and an increasing number of advocates dare to think that it's achievable.

EcoBusiness Network (EBN) is a social enterprise that develops a growing network of businesses and institutions committed to environmentally responsible best practices.

EBN delivers programming that helps businesses reduce energy and resource costs, uncover new business opportunities, and address everyday operational challenges. Visit https://www.ebnetwork.org/ to learn more.