SCLD will launch a Milk Bag Mattress program to divert plastic milk bags from the landfill and help those in need
A new initiative on campus will divert milk bags from the landfill and, at the same time, help those in need.
The Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD) will launch York University’s first ever Milk Bag Mattress program.
While plastic milk bags, which are unique to eastern Canada, are an efficient delivery system for milk, they can be harmful to our environment if not properly disposed of. Milk bags that end up in the landfill stay there for roughly 1,000 years and can seriously harm wildlife and disrupt the ecosystem.
SCLD staff, left to right: James Guthrie, Tammy Douglas, Ross McMillan, Saba Rafiq, Daryl Nauman and Michael Kasaboski with one of the mattress weaving looms
This new program will collect plastic milk bags and use them to weave mattresses that are durable, waterproof and bug-resistant. It takes approximately 500 milk bags to weave each mattress.
These mattresses are used all over the world in emergency zones, and as temporary surgical and sleep mats.
The idea to create a program at York U was inspired by the City of Markham’s milk bag initiative.
SCLD will weave their first milk bag mattresses at the annual service-learning event on Tuesday, Sept. 1. This will coincide with the orientation of its newest group of work/study and volunteers students.
SCLD staff, left to right: Lyna Truong, Leonard Park, Weston Eckart, Matt Harris, Dimple Savla, Ann Le
Following this event, SCLD will incorporate milk bag mattress-weaving events into their calendar through the fall and winter.
Those who wish to participate can drop used milk bags to the Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development office at S172 Ross Building. For more information, call the office at 416-736-5144.
Look for future milk bag weaving events by visiting the SCLD website.