York Regional Council has approved the development of three Community Environmental Centres. The first location in the City of Vaughan was officially opened on July 2, 2009. The
McCleary Court CEC will be designed to achieve LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for sustainable design and construction practices.
Community Environmental Centres are waste management facilities that provide residents with a convenient location where they can drop off a variety of materials including reusable goods, recyclables and building materials. CECs provide residents with another option to increase their reuse and recycling efforts in York Region.
Through public surveys, it was determined that a network of Community Environmental Centres would provide an effective opportunity for residents to divert waste materials from disposal. As set out in the Joint Waste Diversion Strategy, CECs can be expected to divert 3,000 tonnes of waste from disposal annually, contributing to our goal of 65% waste diversion by the end of 2010. CECs provide residents with an easy and convenient point of access to drop off materials that are not easily managed at the curb, such as building materials, electronics, large metal appliances, shredded paper, plastic film and styrofoam. CECs will assist residents with managing waste materials that exceed their curbside pick-up limits. Each of the CECs will also feature an education area where residents can learn more about environmental issues in York Region.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Designed to achieve a LEED certification, the following are examples of some of the measures that were taken at the
McCleary Court CEC:
- Retention pond to control stormwater and a cistern to collect roof water
- Drought-resistant vegetation
- Low-flow faucets and showerheads
- Ground source heat pump
- Local and/or recycled construction materials
- Natural lighting
- Energy efficient heating and lighting
Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity York Region
York Region has partnered with Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity York Region for the past few years, in coordinating Reuse Drop-off events that assist in diverting reusable unwanted goods from disposal. Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity York Region will be permanently on-site at the McCleary Court CEC accepting donations of new and gently used goods, including clothing, housewares, books, textiles, electronics and small appliances, as well as renovation and household materials such as lumber, cabinetry, windows, doors, hardware and plumbing and lighting fixtures. The reusable goods collected at the McCleary Court CEC through Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity York Region will be distributed for re-sale at the charities' retail locations throughout York Region.
The first location is at 130 McCleary Court in the City of Vaughan (within the industrial area of Hwy. 7 and Creditstore Road),
click here for more information. This location is now open to the public. York Region is planning on developing additional Community Environmental Centres. The Region is currently working with the Town of Richmond Hill to build a CEC for their community. The location of the third CEC is undetermined.
Questions?
For more information please contact York Region at 1-877-464-9675 or (905) 895-1200 and press 3 for waste management information.
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