A decade after launching operations, Peel Region’s garbage recycling facility has reached a monumental milestone.

Peel Region officials recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Material Recovery Facility’s opening.

They were joined by recycling partners, including representatives from Waste Management, which helped design, build and operate the facility for five years, and Canada Fibers, which now runs the plant.

The celebration also marked the Brampton facility’s recovery of 1 million tonnes of recyclable materials.

To demonstrate just how much garbage has been diverted from landfill, the recyclables recovered and marketed for reuse equals roughly the weight of Ontario’s 13 million population or 182,000 elephants, regional officials noted.

It has been achieved through a collaborative effort involving recycling partners, government, industry and residents, explained Peel’s Waste Management Director Norm Lee.

Lee emphasized the region’s recycling efforts are motivated by a desire to help the environment and supported by the expressed demands and the high participation rates of residents.

In the time it has taken to recycle 1 million tonnes of garbage, the material has generated about $115 million for the region.

But recycling revenues do not cover the approximate $30 million annual cost of the program. Depending on fluctuating material markets, recycling revenues generate about $10 million annually. Another $10 million comes directly from producers and $10 million from taxpayers.

Jake Westerhof, V.P. with Canada Fibers, is quick to highlight the work of the men and women at the facility.