Today we’re expanding on our discussion of avenues for textile waste. Within Canada, there are various initiatives at the provincial, municipal, or company level. We’ve listed some examples of these initiatives below.
In April 2017, the City of Markham banned textiles from the garbage. Instead, residents drop off their unwanted textiles in bins located throughout the city where they are picked up and sorted for reuse or downcycling into products such as stuffing or insulation. As someone commented on our previous post about avenues for textile waste within Edmonton, second-hand or thrift stores like Goodwill also make their unwearable donations into items such as rags.
Similar initiatives have been introduced elsewhere such as Nova Scotia where a collective of six organizations have come together to form the Association for Textile Recycling (AFTeR). In 2015 alone, 11 million pounds (~4990 tonnes) of textiles were collected in Nova Scotia, with only 5% ending up as waste. BC’s Return-it Textiles program has diverted more than 485 tonnes of textiles since 2019 through its 46 drop-off locations.
General Recycled is a Canadian company which has recently expanded and scaled up its operations in Quebec. They take used FR coveralls made from aramid fibres to be shredded and reincorporated into new coveralls. We hope they’ll be able to expand into other fibre types in future!
Canadian company Native Shoes collect their shoes back from customers when they’re no longer usable, and the shoes are ground up and used in the construction of playgrounds.
All these amazing ways to reduce fashion and textile waste, and just in Canada — stay tuned for our evaluation of textile waste reduction internationally.
Dealing with textile waste is really tricky business, as our clothes are more often than not made up of a blend of different fibres and materials. Polyester/cotton t-shirts, acrylic/nylon scarves, coated backpack fabrics, and laminated waterproof jackets mean that it’s difficult to separate various components for effective recycling and reuse. With that in mind, what are our options for processing textile waste?
Within Edmonton, the City of Edmonton’s WasteWise app suggests that clothing in good condition be reused through donation, resale, or given away and offers a list of potential donation avenues through its Reuse Directory. The Directory lists nonprofit organizations such as Bissell Thrift Shop, MCC Thrift Shop, Salvation Army Thrift Store, and Goodwill. You can also donate to local small businesses like Chubby Fem Thrift. Make sure to check with these organizations first in case there are items they do not accept. Note that this is not an exhaustive list and that other nonprofit and for-profit organizations accept clothing donations as well.
Outdoor clothing bins located throughout the City are owned and operated by different companies (e.g. Value Village) with proceeds of these donations benefiting various programs or charities. If these bins are full, do not leave your items outside! Clothing that gets wet from rain or snow can become mouldy or smelly, making it no longer sellable.
Unfortunately, Edmonton does not have a formal municipal textile recycling program. The WasteWise app suggests throwing these items in the garbage. However, you can repurpose your unusable textiles to divert them from landfill. Searching “repurposed clothing” or “upcycled clothing” will give you many ideas to creatively make use of these items. Blenderz Garment Recyclers make and sell craft kits and items made from unwearable items, which would be a great place to start and support a local business!
The move from plastic or metal garbage bins to automated cart collection can be a jarring one. We’re used to filling our garbage bin on a weekly basis with bagged garbage and familiar with the volume and capacity of our bins. When carts were rolled out and garbage bins became obsolete, many wondered what to do with them — we’ve come up with a list of ideas, with contributions from members of the Waste Free Edmonton community.
Here are 15 things you can do with your old garbage bins.
Turn it into a Composter
Upcycle your old bin into a backyard composter. Check out this tutorial for more information on how!
Already have a composter? Use it to make leaf mould!
Store Leaves for Your Compost
A garbage bin is a perfect place to store excess leaves for your compost, keeping them dry and on your property to easily supplement your compost year-round. Make a composter out of one bin and use the other bins to store leaves and other organic waste!
Store Your Empties
Garbage bins are perfect for storing empty beverage containers for recycling. If you use them for your bottles, you can eliminate the need for plastic bags when bringing them into the depot! Just bring the entire bin with you and empty it there. Bring the empty bin home, give it a rinse, and you’re ready for the next bottle run!
Collect Rain
Check out this simple DIY for transforming your old bin into a rain barrel! A clever way to keep your bin from going to waste AND cut down on your water bill. Keep it out of direct sunlight to discourage any leaching from the garbage bin!
Grow Your Own Produce
Use your bin to grow your own produce! Members of our facebook group have grown potatoes and corn in theirs. Do check if the type of plastic is food safe first, and don’t forget to drill drainage holes in the bottom. You can even cut your bin in half and make two mini raised garden beds!
Keep Firewood Dry & Accessible
Use your bin to keep your firewood dry. Perhaps you already have a dedicated space for firewood that’s a bit inconvenient to get to, but you could use your bin closer to where you will use it and refill as necessary!
Additional Storage in the Garage / Garden Shed
Garbage bins are great for storing any tall, awkward items. Perfect for holding shovels, rakes, and poles! And not just garden tools — sports equipment (skis, hockey sticks) works great too.
Transform it into a DIY Cat Shelter
Edmonton winters get really cold, and the strays will be thanking you big time for this one. Insulate your bin and use it as a cat shelter; you can find lots of DIY tutorials like this one online.
Recycling Container
Just because your bin was intended for garbage, doesn’t mean that’s all it can hold! Why not use it to store your recycling that you put out for pick up? Remember to put it in a blue bag!
Transport Loose Items
Your old bin could save you tons of trouble next time you head to the Eco Station to pick up free mulch! Load it up in the garbage bin to keep it contained.
Blend Your Soil
If every spring you find yourself mixing fifty tiny batches of soil blends because you just don’t have a big enough container… this one’s for you! Use your old bin to mix your soil in the spring, or even to store your soil all year long.
Flip it Upside Down!
If you are out working in the yard or garden and find you are in need of some counter space or a raised, flat surface, you might find that your bin is actually quite handy! Flip it upside down and use the bottom of it for some extra working space.
Mouse-proof Bird Seed Container
If mice have a way of finding your bird seed or grass seed over the winter, your old garbage bin might be just what you need to keep them out! Store any such items with the lid sealed to keep critters at bay.
Give Bins to Someone New
Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure! If you still have no use (or perhaps, no space!) for your old garbage bin, try to rehome it. If none of your friends or family members are interested, post it in your local Buy Nothing group, list it on Marketplace, Kijiji, or donate it to a second hand shop. Someone else is just waiting to get their hands on it! As always, when passing an item on to a new person, it is important to clean or mend it beforehand.
Bring it to the Eco Station
As a last resort, make sure your bins are taken care of properly. Dispose of your old garbage bins at the Eco Station or wherever facilities exist. Learn more here.
Many of these ideas were pulled from members of the Waste Free Edmonton Group on facebook and from comments on our “Wheel Conversations” post about garbage bins. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and shared their ideas!
Holidays often mean an influx of new gadgets and technology into our homes. But what does that mean for the old, broken and unwanted items?
Unfortunately, many of those items will end up either in a junk drawer, or the landfill, which is problematic for a few reasons that we will explore below. This action – or inaction – often stems from a lack of knowledge and awareness about “e-waste”. Like many environmental issues, the concerns around e-waste – what it is, why it is a problem, and what to do about it – can get complicated. Let’s dive into these three areas today to help you make sense of it, and take action to reduce its impact in our communities.
WHAT IS E-WASTE AND WHY DOES IT EXIST?
E-waste is a broad category. Simply put, it is any item that can be plugged in or has a battery that has reached the end of its life by losing its value to the user or because it no longer functions to its original specification. Even more simply put, it’s broken or unwanted tech that we want to dispose of. Considering the speed at which tech companies release new products and the societal pressure to own the newest and best, it is the fastest growing waste stream (EWaste Monitor).
Much of the current e-waste exists because producers have made it impossible to repair these items. Many consumer advocacy groups have written about the concept of “planned obsolescence”. While we cannot be 100% sure this is taking place, the evidence continues to show that the lifespan of electronic goods is becoming shorter. (Consumers International). Adding to our inability to repair broken tech, traditionally, there is a very low percentage of e-waste that is recycled – about 17.4% globally (CBC News).
The Edmonton Waste Management Centre has a separate facility for electronic waste. (Source: City of Edmonton)
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
Similar to paper and plastic, much of our e-waste is recyclable. Reusing components can reduce manufacturing costs and prevent the need to obtain new resources. We also save landfill space when those items are diverted to recyclers, or for reuse. Canada alone generated 638,300 tonnes of electronic waste in 2017 (CBC News), and even if only a portion of this is diverted, it can clearly have a substantial impact.
Like with any system that impacts our environment, there are some mild to extreme negative consequences when we fail to take action.
E-waste is a health hazard, as many of those electronics contain toxic substances such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and more (City of Edmonton). When dumped into a landfill, these toxins can leach into the ground and contaminate our water supply, among other things. Unfortunately, even when we send our broken or unwanted electronics in for recycling, these toxic chemicals can have a devastating impact on other communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
In most industrialized countries (including Canada), it is illegal to send e-waste to “developing nations”, but some private recycling companies continue this practice (CBC News). And in the United States, there are no such regulations for export, which is why we continue to see electronic dumps across West Africa, India, and China. While many of these places have vibrant communities (Welcome to Sodom), they are also dealing with high rates of cancer and no occupational regulations to protect them or their families (PBS.com). And any items that are not profitable to recycle are still dumped, with no environmental recourse. On the production side of the equation, there are equal human rights abuses, including outright slavery or “forced labour” (Kevin Bales).
WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS!
The good news is that we have many solutions available now. We just need to take them. Edmontonians have access to a network of Eco Stations that accept personal e-waste for recycling and disposal. There is a limit to what they will accept and aren’t accessible to all folks equally (individuals without personal vehicles, for example).
According to the waste hierarchy, e-waste collection and recycling should be our last resort (CBC Radio). We need to ensure that we are first and foremost reducing our waste, and then reusing individual or overall components. There are two systemic solutions that have been adopted in some countries to address the idea that we cannot rely on recycling alone.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is defined as a “policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of the product’s life cycle” (EPR Canada). EPR regulations are intended to push the producers of goods to consider – and potentially change – product design to make items easier to recycle or reuse once they have reached their end-of-life. Bottle depots are a simple and familiar example of an EPR. Ideally, this policy approach helps eliminate the accumulation of e-waste in landfills by redirecting those products back to the producer, and ultimately preventing e-waste once these producers take steps to ensure their products are better designed and longer lasting. Provinces in Canada have been working toward full implementation of provincial EPR legislation since 2009.
Right to Repair is a concept that is gaining traction in Europe, and made some headway in Ontario recently (Policy Alternatives). Environmental groups and politicians are focused on creating regulations and legislation to allow consumers to repair their own devices. This includes eliminating the use of proprietary parts, and demanding that companies redesign products so they can easily be taken apart. Consumers are often – if not always – forced to use a manufacturer-authorized repair service at greater expense, or ultimately replace with a new product because repair is unavailable or impossible. There are a number of benefits to these regulations in terms of employing them to prevent e-waste. By removing barriers and access to repair, more consumers will have control over the longevity of their electronic devices.
TAKE ACTION
Now that you have learned a bit about e-waste and its significance in our waste stream, here are some individual actions you can take right now.
Low effort
Evaluate your need to buy new gadgets, appliances, or technology. Consider instead: Can I borrow the item from a friend, family or local “Tool Library”? Can I buy this item secondhand?
If you are replacing an item that is still in working condition, consider donating it to a local organization who can refurbish it and get it into the hands of someone who couldn’t otherwise afford it. Look into the Electronics Recycling Association to start.
Mid effort
Before you replace an item, try repairing it instead. There are many local cell phone repair shops who will replace a screen or battery for a reasonable rate. Or if you prefer the DIY route, order parts or a repair kit online. Even without “Right to Repair” legislation in place, there are options available to consumers.
Write a letter to your local newspaper expressing your concern for e-waste, or make a complaint to the Office of Consumer Affairs (Canada) requesting Right to Repair or Extended Producer Responsibility legislation.
Create your own “Tool Library” or “Skills Library” by compiling a list of your big ticket appliances, technology, and tools that you are willing to lend out, or specialized skills you have. Then send the list out to friends and family.
Most effort
Work with your company, local community league, or homeowner’s association and organize an e-waste drive in your community or workplace. Offer a reward for the family/individual who brings in the oldest tech or the most items!
Start a dialogue with your neighbours — are you going to the Eco Station? Mention it well in advance and offer some space in your vehicle to help others get rid of their e-waste.
As consumers, we can take small steps in our homes and communities to combat these human rights abuses and help protect our environment at the same time. But as leading activists show (Guardian) the real change must come from governments to enact and enforce stronger laws and regulations, and corporations to design better and longer lasting products.
October 19 to 25, 2020 is our time to celebrate all things waste reduction, and spread the good word about initiatives folks are taking in their communities across Canada. While this week was officially started in 2001 by the Recycling Council of Ontario, many cities and provinces have been hosting their own waste reduction awareness initiatives since the 1980s. Closer to home, the Recycling Council of Alberta is presenting events across the province.
THEME DAYS
Waste Reduction Week is structured into 7 themes, with one to focus on each day. As with many waste free initiatives, you might have a lot of knowledge or interest in one area, and less in another. This structure gives everyone an opportunity to learn about something new or work towards a deeper commitment. All activism and organizing is more manageable when broken down into smaller steps, and waste reduction is no different.
With the seven themes, and various events and programming set for each day, there are a lot of different ways you can “celebrate” Waste Reduction Week and take action. If you are already doing some waste reduction in your household, pick a theme you are less familiar with. And if you’re very confident in your current actions, perhaps take this time to inspire others. We recommend chatting with your friends and family to find an activity you can do together. If you’re motivated, perhaps contact your community league, local politician, or your workplace to try to implement larger changes. Regardless of what you choose, choose something! We’ve compiled some activities for you, ranging from low effort to truly changemaking. It’s easy to stay at home and stay safe, too; you won’t have to compromise your cohort to take part!
With some online webinars on the list, you won’t have to compromise your cohort to take part!
Take part in The Alberta Leftovers Challenge on October 21. Post a photo on social and tag friends, family, local politicians and ask them how they prevent food waste.
MEDIUM EFFORT
Pack yourself – or your kid – a plastic-free lunch.
Sign up on the Share Waste app and make a compost delivery this week.
Take the City of Edmonton Waste Reduction Roadmap survey this week, and then share the link with your friends, family, and coworkers!
Do a trash and recycle bin audit, and then commit to making one item swap using the audit as your guide.
All this garbage — even if it was once recyclable, it is not anymore — could have been handled differently.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
As with any waste reduction lifestyle change, we are ultimately looking for systemic change as well. Waste Reduction Week’s mission is to empower all Canadians to adopt more environmentally conscious choices. But unfortunately we know that not everyone has equal access to those choices. Ultimately, it is the systemic change that is needed to permanently turn the tide on climate change. Talking to your workplace about making changes, helping folks in your community take their bulky and hazardous waste to the Eco Station, and packing plastic free lunches are very important. Communication and inspiration go a long way. We can take those actions a step further by joining or organizing an advocacy group to present a waste reduction recommendation to your City Council. More and more people are turning to their community leagues to help form a community-wide waste reduction strategy. Another important aspect of environmental justice is using your skills and platform – whatever that looks like – to amplify the voices of many Indigenous individuals, groups and Nations already doing this work.
Waste Reduction Week is a great place to start your journey, learn more about waste reduction in general, and then use as a springboard to achieve the systemic change needed to make a difference in our world.
Getting outside and enjoying the outdoors this summer doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. As we book campsites and start packing for weekend getaways, thinking of how we can reduce our consumption and cut back on plastic waste we generate will make for a smaller, eco-friendly camping excursion. Let’s keep our memories and mementos of trips in our hearts and minds and not in a landfill.
1. Opt for reusable plates and cutlery rather than disposables.
There’s no need to buy new. It is super affordable / achievable to camp with reusables. You can use what you already have, buy second hand goods, borrow from a friend, or invest in a quality set of packable cutlery.
2. Plan your ice strategy.
There are a couple ways to prepare ice that avoid that thick plastic bag.
Search for a locally-owned restaurant and give them a call. Ask if you could purchase some ice from them and if they could fill your cooler.
Also invest in some good-quality, reusable ice packs, and make your own ice a few days ahead of time.
3. Skip the paper towels and sani-wipes, use rags instead.
Any single-use paper products or one-time wipes just add waste when perfectly good alternatives exist. You have rags and cloths around your home just waiting to tag along on the trip, and you can allocate them however you wish: rags for clean-up, dish cloths for doing dishes, tea towels for drying dishes, and hang on a line to dry!
It’s always important to use biodegradable soap for all these activities while camping, especially if there’s no place to dump gray water.
4. Reuse non-recyclable/non-reusable food packaging to collect your waste.
Planning for waste free camping can start long before the actual event. For those times when you need a bag to collect waste, don’t go out and buy more bags, use the few bags you might have on hand, like chip or cereal bags.
Purchasing more plastic bags only increases the demand and the market for plastic. Use what you already have!
5. Use a single large water jug instead of smaller bottles.
Single-use plastic bottles are an inefficient way of toting around water at a campsite. Use a 15-25L water jug with a pump and refill smaller containers as needed. Better yet, the jug can also be recycled at the end of its lifespan.
6. Prep your food at home.
Plan a meal schedule for your trip based on the length of your stay and your resources. Give yourself some options for each meal on each day and then make it! Creating food from home avoids the need to purchase food wrapped in plastic that only adds to the waste you have to dispose of.
7. Pack your food in reusable jars/containers.
Now that you’ve made your food, how are you going to transport it?
Use watertight containers to prevent your food from becoming soggy as your ice melts. Reusable containers also allow you to save leftovers — a lot tougher to do with flimsy plastic!
Also, consider the sizes of your containers and whether they’re in line with what you need. If you know you only use 1 litre of milk, don’t bring the 2 litre carton — pour liquids and other foods into more appropriate vessels.
8. Don’t buy your firewood in plastic packaging.
Many campgrounds have a wood pile available on site. Be sure to call and ask ahead of time and save yourself the work.
Many farmers or acreages often sell firewood on the side of the road without packaging. Keep an eye out for signs and numbers!
Finally, check classifieds like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace in your area or your destination.
9. Carpool
If possible and if safe to do so, carpool to lower your carbon footprint. If not, coordinate among your fellow campers to minimize stops for other needs.
10. Leave your site better than how you found it.
Don’t “waste” the opportunity to beautify and show respect for our parks and environment! Take care of our natural sites and they will take care of you.
Any camper knows what you pack in, you pack out. But sometimes this isn’t always the case. When you go camping, be aware that you might need to tidy up after the last visitors or more! Be the best guest you can be.
Camping is one of those incredible activities that’s adaptable to all ages and abilities, and investing in good waste free tools and practices is something that will last generations! Visit Alberta Parks for more information on camping in Alberta.
