2018 WRW a Success in Alberta

Connector Fall 2018

Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada was developed by a coalition of 13 recycling councils and sister organizations from across Canada and is delivered the third week of October each year. The Program’s goal is to inform Canadians about the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices. WRW uses its “take action” messaging to empower all Canadians to adopt more environmentally-conscious choices. WRW provides Canadians with information and ideas to reduce waste in all facets of daily living, creating solutions to the many environmental challenges we face.

To help promote awareness and engage Albertans with WRW, iconic landmarks were lit up blue and green:

  • The Festival Place in Strathcona County on Monday October 15th to October 21th
  • The Calgary Tower on October 16th
  • The High Level Bridge in Edmonton on October 19th
  • Airdrie’s City Hall on October 19th

2018 Theme days!

Each day of Waste Reduction Week had an associated theme.

Monday October 15th: Circular Economy & Kick-Off
Tuesday October 16th: Textile Tuesday
Wednesday October 17th: Celebrating Champions & Innovators
Thursday October 18th: Plastics
Friday October 19th: Food Waste
Saturday October 20th: Swap, Share, Repair
Sunday October 21st: E-Waste

Events in Alberta:

City of Airdrie
In celebration of Waste Reduction Week, City of Airdrie proclaimed WRW in Canada and pledged to raise awareness and educate residents about food waste

Strathcona County
Strathcona County in partnership with Waste Connection Canada hosted their 3rd Annual Waste Reduction Week Shoe Drive Challenge for schools within Strathcona County.
Students at participating schools brought shoes of any make, size and condition either tied together with the shoe laces or with a rubber band for a chance to win some great prizes. Over the past two years over 28 schools have helped to keep almost 25,000 pairs of shoes out of the landfill and into the hands of those that need them.

Rockyview General Hospital
Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary is working diligently to reduce their carbon footprint and roll out new practices (e.g. switch from plastics to paper, organics program, LED and sensor installations) to reduce waste. In celebration of Waste Reduction Week, Rocky View General Hospital proclaimed WRW in Canada and pledged to raise awareness in their community. Rockyview Hospital staff set up a booth with poster boards and visual demonstrations for staff, patients, and visitors every day from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Goodwill Industries
Goodwill has a long-term commitment to sustainability that goes hand in hand with their social enterprise goal of providing jobs and career training for Albertans with disabilities. The reuse model of thrifting and recycling efforts remove the need to create new items which use valuable resources and damage the environment. Goodwill together with the RCA celebrated Textile Tuesday by handing out Goodwill’s signature cleaning cloths, made from donated terry towels and cotton t-shirts, at Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary.

Stettler Repair Café
The Heartland Beautification Committee hosted a Repair Café on Saturday, October 20th. 117 repairs were completed in the four hours. Repair categories included small appliances, small engines, clothing, clocks & watches, knife-sharpening, computers, musical instruments, and bicycles.

Thank you to all municipalities, organizations and individuals that participated in Waste Reduction Week 2018!