Waste Reduction Campaign

Vision

On a finite planet, waste is a conundrum.  When we create waste we're not really throwing anything "out", we're throwing it into an ecosystem, into our very home.

Metro Vancouver generates a lot of garbage: almost three and half million tonnes of waste per year. That is nearly 1.5 tonnes per person every year! That is an enormous amount of waste to landfill or burn every year.

We need to take action to reduce waste in our region. Reducing the amount of waste that we produce will improve our environment by reducing greenhouse gases and preventing further pollution of our air, land and water. Waste diversion does have economic and social benefits through the creation of green jobs and by providing opportunities for local businesses. Diversion, however, is only a small part of a long-term solution which sees resources conserved rather than needlessly used and quickly discarded.

Mandate

To solve the current waste crisis, advocates for three main components to divert products from the waste stream:

1. Reducing our waste - The best way to manage waste is not to generate it in the first place. Buy fewer products and choose items with less packaging.

2. Re-using - Re-using products and materials Re-use products, including bags and containers, repair or donate items to charity and purchase used goods to reduce waste.

3. Recycling - Recycle products such as paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastic through municipal recycling and deposit programs. Dispose of electronic waste through Extended Product Responsibility (EPR) programs. Compost food and yard waste.

Current Projects

• Advocating for Waste Reduction
• Education and Outreach on Battery Recycling

Past Projects

• Founding the Recycling Council of BC (RCBC)
• Establishing the first recycling depots in BC