Recycling Drive for Waste Reduction Week Targets E-waste and Clothing

Dozens of businesses across the Greater Toronto Area are joining forces to celebrate Waste Reduction Week in Canada by running recycling collection drives that engage thousands of their employees.

Yesterday, leaders from the business community came together to raise awareness about clothing and electronic recycling at the City of Mississauga’s Great Hall. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and executives from Diabetes Canada, Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) and Toronto and Region Conservation’s Partners in Project Green gathered at one of the 72 drop-off locations to kick-off the Recycling Collection Drive campaign, which aims to divert e-waste and clothing from landfill.

Twenty-three businesses and municipalities, including Air Canada, Bentall Kennedy, City of Mississauga, Region of Peel, Toronto Pearson, and Toronto Zoo are placing recycling bins in their front lobbies and community centres to collect clothing and electronic waste that employees bring from home.

E-waste items are recycled by Ontario Electronic Stewardship, while clothing is reused and recycled by Diabetes Canada. Each registered group receives a certificate with the amount of material diverted from landfill.

“The Partners in Project Green community is focused on sustainability at home and in the workplace, and we’re honored to be spearheading this progressive campaign,” said Michelle Brown, Chair of Partners in Project Green’s Waste Management Committee and Vice President, Property Management, Bentall Kennedy. “This recycling drive makes a difference and I invite businesses and residents alike to participate.”

“Diabetes Canada turns clothing donations into funds to help the 11 million Canadians with diabetes or prediabetes. We are thankful to all the participating organizations for their help,” said Scott Ebenhardt, National Director, Business Development at Diabetes Canada said. “Eighty-five per cent of all textiles go to landfill, so the Recycling Collection Drive provides a great opportunity to divert from landfills and reduce our carbon footprint.”

“Ontario Electronic Stewardship is committed to the circular economy” added Lynda Kitamura, Executive Director, Ontario Electronic Stewardship. “Recycling Collection Drive is a simple way for businesses to get involved and ensure their electronics are recycled responsibly.”

This is the second year that Partners in Project Green has run the Recycling Collection Drive. Last year, 6.9 tonnes of e-waste and clothing was diverted as a result of this campaign.


Pictured at top of page, left to right: Scott Ebendhardt, Diabetes Canada; Michelle Brown, Bentall Kennedy; Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie; Hillary Marshall, Toronto Pearson; Lynda Kitamura, Ontario Electronic Stewardship; and Chandra Sharma, Toronto and Region Conservation.


Partners in Project Green is a membership-based not-for-profit organization committed to developing the largest eco-business zone in the world. Created in partnership by Toronto Pearson and Toronto and Region Conservation, it is a vast community comprising businesses, government bodies, institutions and utilities, all working together to strengthen the Toronto region’s economy and environmental sustainability by fostering business-to-businesses collaboration, supporting the installation of green technologies, and participating in meaningful environmental projects that drive results.