Litter Reduction
“The Zero Waste Movement”
Many of our waste management activities at home and at work focus on capturing and diverting recyclable and compostable materials from landfill. These are great initiatives, but what if we didn’t have to deal with the waste in the first place?
The idea of Zero Waste is to first minimize the production of and use of wasteful materials or products and encompass reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives. The Zero Waste concept is a proactive approach to waste management designed to enhance traditional recycling programs.
Many of us have embraced waste minimization practices at home by using reusable bags at the grocery store and travel mugs at the coffee shop. While we implement these actions at home what is industry doing to minimize their waste?
Some organizations are doing their part to minimize waste, by developing green production processes, using less wasteful materials or developing take-it-back programs where customers can return products at the end of their life to be recycled or remanufactured. Still there is much to be done.
To help Conestoga College reduce waste, we need your assistance to review your activities and identify areas where waste minimization practices can be implemented. Some areas include electronic memos, double-sided printer defaults, re-usable shipping boxes/ packaging, use of china mugs and dishes for meetings and events to improve the overall efficiency of the use of resources.
If we all work together to reduce waste at home and at work there will be far less “waste” for our generation and the next to handle.
Why Waste Reduction?
Reducing our material resource consumption through informed purchasing and general best practices makes it easier to conserve resources before they become waste. This in turn limits the need to reuse or recycle.
Currently, the average Canadian is producing 835 kg (1,841 lbs) of waste per year or 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per day. All this “waste” is going to landfills or being incinerated. By following the 3R’s- reduce, reuse and recycle, the average person can conserve energy and natural resources and also reduce air, water and land pollution.
Litter-Free Lunches
Packing a litter-free lunch, for example, is a great way to reduce the waste you send to landfill.
- Reusable lunch kit or recyclable paper bag
- Reusable plastic containers or recyclable packaging such as aluminum foil
- Whole fruits like oranges, apples or bananas
- Thermos or a refillable water bottle
- Cloth napkin and reusable cutlery
- Participate in the college recycling/ composting program
Packing a waste-free lunch may take a bit more time and creativity but, given the environmental benefits, it’s well worth the extra effort!