Waste Reduction Week
Each fall during the third week of October, residents of Thunder Bay take part in the nationwide Waste Reduction Week program to raise awareness of changes we can make to reduce waste. EcoSuperior Environmental Programs, the City of Thunder Bay and many community partners coordinate a dynamic range of activities. Waste Reduction Week 2012 activities
Have a Composter Delivered!
On average, organic materials make up about 35% of household garbage. Composting regularly will reduce household waste going to the landfill by about one third! Using organic waste to create a natural fertilizer for your lawn and garden is a great way to promote waste reduction all year round.
Getting started with composting is not expensive. With Thunder Bay's Composter Subsidy program for City residents, composters can be purchased through EcoSuperior at 562 Red River Rd. for only $25 (cash or cheque only). Make sure to have proof of address (any ID card or document with name and address).
During Waste Reduction Week only, EcoSuperior will deliver your composter free of charge! Call EcoSuperior at 624-2141 between Oct.15-19 to arrange delivery. You may pay by credit card over the phone, or by cash or cheque upon delivery.
If you're not putting all your yard waste into the compost, remember that curbside collection of leaf and yard waste takes place between Thursday Nov. 1 and Wednesday Nov. 14, 2012 on your regular recycling day. Look for the leaf symbol on your waste collection calendar or call dispatch at 625-2195.
Monday to Saturday, Year-Round - Household Hazardous Waste Depot
Waste Reduction Week is a great time to get rid of all your household hazardous waste before winter! The Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility on Mapleward Road is free of charge for City residents, Monday to Saturday year-round. It is estimated that residents in Ontario discard up to 86,000 tonnes of hazardous waste each year. This isn't how much we use – it’s how much we discard! For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, call 684-2195.
Saturday, Oct. 13 - Intercity Waste Reduction Fair
City of Thunder Bay, EcoSuperior, and Confederation College Waste Management students will be on hand at Intercity Mall on Oct. 13 with give-aways and information. Learn how to reduce your "waste-line", and enter the draw for great prizes! Find us in the promo court.
Wednesday, Oct. 17 - Waste Reduction Week Launch
The kick-off to the week’s events will take place at École catholique Franco-Supérieur. Representatives from the City, EcoSuperior and the Catholic School Board will speak about the school’s waste-reduction initiatives and the events planned for Waste Reduction Week. Watch for it in the news!
Oct. 15-21 - Erase Your Waste! Workplace Challenge
Here’s your chance to out-green the competition and start reducing waste at work! Commit to one waste-reduction initiative and submit a brief summary to EcoSuperior (with pictures if possible!) by Oct. 21. Participating workplaces will be entered in a draw to win a litterless lunch catered to their office for up to 20 people! Not sure how to get started? Suggestions: bring in reusable mugs, water bottles and containers for lunches; start printing double sided; start a recycling or vermicomposting program; host a workplace swap (e.g., books, clothes, etc.). Feel free to get creative! For more information, call EcoSuperior at 624-2142.
Oct. 15-21 - Radio Promotions & Get Caught Recycling!
Stay tuned to your favourite local radio stations for a chance to flaunt your waste reduction knowledge and win great prizes. Additional prizes are up for grabs if one of our volunteers catches you in the act of recycling around town. You never know who might be watching!
Oct. 8-26 - School Programs
EcoSuperior visits classrooms during Waste Reduction Week, sharing fun and practical ideas on how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Call Jennifer at 624-2147 to book presentations.
A limited number of schools that book a tour of the City's Solid Waste & Recycling Facility, or ReCool Canada's recycling plant, will receive free busing!
Tuesday, Oct. 16 - Public Tour of the Recycling Plant
You see those ReCool trucks picking up your blue bags and cardboard, but have you ever been curious about what happens to them next? Take a look behind the scenes at ReCool Canada’s recycling facility. We’ll even provide transportation. The tour will run from 9:30-11:00 am, including the drive - and it's free of charge! Call EcoSuperior at 624-2141 for pick-up locations and to reserve your seat.
Wednesday, Oct. 17 - Public Tour of the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility
Ever wonder about the journey that waste travels once it leaves the curb? See its final destination with a tour of the City's Solid Waste & Recycling Facility. We’ll even provide the transportation. The tour will run from 1:00-2:30 pm, including travel time - and it's free of charge! Call EcoSuperior at 624-2141 for pick-up locations and to reserve your seat, as space is limited.
Nov. 1-12 - Great Pumpkin Compost Collection
Residents are encouraged to put Jack in the Box, not in the trash. Since the collection began in 1995, over 276 metric tonnes of pumpkins have been diverted from the landfill to the municipal composting facility. Bins for Halloween Pumpkins will be set up from Nov. 1-12 at the Lakehead Labour Centre, County Fair Plaza and the Westfort Playfield. Remember, "no plastic bags, no candles, and no trash" - pumpkins only please! Sponsored by ReCool Canada Inc. and Print Pros Plus.
For more information on any of these programs, visit www.ecosuperior.org and click on the Waste Reduction Week link, or call EcoSuperior at 624-2142.
The City of Thunder Bay provides funding for EcoSuperior and our community partners to co-ordinate a wide range of activities, so plan to participate! Waste Reduction Week is funded by The City of Thunder Bay, Roads Division and delivered by EcoSuperior.
For more information on City of Thunder Bay recycling and waste diversion programs, contact Infrastructure & Operations Dispatchers at 625-2195.
