Newmarket: where the environment matters

Newmarket is getting greener and greener. We are one of Canada's most progressive environmental leaders.

• In 2008 Newmarket was put on the environmental map when construction began on Canada’s greenest subdivision.
• We were one of the first to pass Anti-Pesticide Bylaw.
• Newmarket and York Region have the highest rate of diversion from landfill to recycling in Ontario.
• Newmarket is committed to enhancing its parks and trails systems, and requires builders to pay $1,000 for each building lot sold for trail improvements.
• The next phase of our 10-year downtown heritage district development includes renovation of some downtown parking lots to include a community-gathering place as an extension of Fairy Lake Park and the Holland River trail.
• Town Council established the Newmarket Environmental Advisory Committee as an advisory body and resource group in matters pertaining to ways to inventory, protect, maintain, restore and enhance the environment.
• In 2006, Smart Commute was launched to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic congestion. The Town has since partnered with the Region of York and the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce to create a Transportation Management Association (TMA).
• The Town partnered with Honeywell to retrofit Town facilities.
• Restoration of Western Creek as far north as its mouth near Green Lane, part of a campaign to clean up the Holland River.
• Newmarket is one of the first municipalities to pass an Anti-Idling Bylaw, prohibiting idling for more than two minutes.

The almost-completed green subdivision of 34 homes on Mulock Dr. will exceed environmental targets which include a 50 per cent reduction in household water draws, a 35 per cent reduction in overall discharge flows and a 60 per cent reduction in solid waste, greenhouse gas production and energy consumption compared to conventional homes. It is one of the most environmentally progressive subdivisions in Canada and one of only a few in North America built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum specifications. On the LEED scale, conventional homes usually rank between 10 and 17 points. The Newmarket homes score 96. This means this neighbourhood will prevent 170 Olympic-size hockey rinks full of greenhouse gas emissions from entering our environment each year. This project received the 2010 National Award for Sustainable Housing from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities

In keeping with the Town’s commitment to the environment, Newmarket passed a bylaw prohibiting the cosmetic use of pesticides on private and public property. Newmarket is encouraging a more natural approach to caring for lawns and gardens. The pesticide use bylaw took effect on Sept. 1, 2008.

The Town partnered with Honeywell to audit and retrofit Town facilities in an effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions and utility costs. The project is expected to save Newmarket approximately $160,000 annually in operating costs. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 563 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent to removing more than 80 cars from the road.

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