Celebrated in Canada.
This year schools, individuals, businesses and municipalities from across Canada will participate in the annual Waste Reduction Week.
Waste Reduction Week is a great time for parents to help their children make a difference. Encouraging your child to "teach" your family different ways of reducing waste is a great way to reinforce school and classroom practices.
There are many different things that families can do together to support waste-free living. Here are some examples of what you and your children can practice at home or while shopping:
- Encourage your school to register as an EcoSchool! They can register for free.
- Find out “what goes where” for residents of York Region and take advantage of the York Region Bindicator tool.
- Commit to reducing food and food-related waste by packing waste-free lunches using reusable containers, cutlery, and water bottles
- Pack lunches in servings that will be completely eaten
- Encourage meetings and catering options that reduce food and food-related waste
- Post a "No Flyers" notice on your door or your mailbox
- Take along your own reusable bags when shopping
- Take along refillable mugs or cups when purchasing drinks
- Read newspapers and magazines on-line
- Avoid buying products with excess packaging
- Have a garage sale and sell items that can be easily reused or repaired
- Find a York Region reuse donation and community drop-off centre in your area which will accept items no longer being used, such as clothing/textiles, houseware, books
- Sell unused items on-line using buy-and-sell sites
There are many activities that our classrooms and school buildings will be engaged in to promote waste reduction. Why not ask your child to share with you all the different ways their class and their school is reducing waste?
Get involved to show Canada, and the world, that you and your family are part of the waste reduction solution!