York Region Community Environmental Centre wins prestigious award

NEWMARKET –The Regional Municipality of York is pleased to receive the 2010 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Sustainable Community Award – Waste Category for the McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre (CEC).  This prestigious award recognizes the sustainable vision and design of York Region’s first CEC located in the City of Vaughan.

 

“The McCleary Court CEC is a landmark in our community that visibly demonstrates York Region’s focus on diversion and sustainability,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch.  “I commend the hard work of all partners in bringing the award-winning vision of the CEC to life, including York Regional Council and staff, the City of Vaughan, our partners Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity York Region and, of course, residents.”

 

The McCleary Court CEC opened in July 2009 as the first installment of a planned network of CECs across York Region.  As a one-stop reuse, recycling and disposal location, the CEC has the potential to divert hundreds of additional tonnes of waste from landfill each year while making diversion more accessible and convenient.  Through a strong focus on reuse, many materials are returned to the community for a second life through Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity York Region.

 

“Convenience drives diversion.  The added convenience and accessibility of the CEC has helped boost resident participation and keep more waste from going to landfill,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Ferri, Chair of the Region’s Environmental Services Committee.  “Now an award-winning facility, the CEC will continue to provide a valuable service to residents and promote a culture of sustainability.”

 

In keeping with the environmental mission of the CEC, the facility was sustainably designed incorporating many energy and water conservation features and achieving a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.  The CEC also provides a community education space that informs residents about conservation programs, environmental sustainability and Regional waste management programs – information that residents can take away from their visit.

 

Planning for York Region’s next CEC location in the Town of Richmond Hill is underway, with an anticipated opening for this facility slated for 2011.

 

York Region holds the Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) No.1 ranking among large urban municipalities for diversion, achieving a rate of 53 per cent in 2008.  WDO results for 2009 will be released later this year.  York Region is on track to achieve its goal of 60 per cent diversion by the end of 2010.

 

For more information on the McCleary Court CEC, including location and hours of operation, please visit www.york.ca/waste

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

 

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Media Contact: Kim MacGillivray, Corporate Communications, York Region
 Phone:  905 830-4444 Ext. 1209 / Cell: 905 251-6412
 Email:  kim.macgillivray@york.ca