Here’s How Much Milton Saves by Recycling Sand

Published April 29, 2019 at 1:49 pm

The Town of Milton works hard throughout the winter in order to keep roads in the town safe during the colder months. However, this hard work doesn’t stop once spring rolls around.

The Town of Milton works hard throughout the winter in order to keep roads in the town safe during the colder months. However, this hard work doesn’t stop once spring rolls around.

When spring arrives, Milton Road Operation crews will conduct a spring street sweeping to clean the streets of sand and other debris caused by winter control. 

This annual spring sweeping typically starts at the end of April or in early May. The sweep takes around 10 weeks to complete. 

So, how does it work?

According to a recent press release, town staff will collect sand from the roads and screen it. The sand will then be stored throughout the summer in order to reuse it the following winter. 

Last year, just over 3,000 tonnes of street sweepings were collected and the town was able to reuse 1,500 tonnes.

This recycling process is not only just good for the environment, in addition it also helps the town save money. In fact, the release notes that recycling sand saves Milton around $21,000.

And following the initial sweeping, additional sweeping will take place throughout the year.

“After the initial spring sweeping is complete, crews perform routine street sweeping to remove debris from streets and curb lines,” reads the release. “Cycle lane sweeping is a priority in the spring and is also scheduled throughout the year.”

Milton, according to the release, approaches street sweeping as follows:

  • Dedicated cycling lanes and main streets are addressed first since the potential for dust on these streets is the greatest as a result of higher traffic volumes followed by transit routes and collector streets.
  • Once the main and collector streets are complete, the program will move to residential streets.
  • Sweeping then moves to rural roads in areas where there are curbs and gutters.

Photo is courtesy of the Town of Milton

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