Did you know that each person in Canada produces 2.2 kg of garbage per day?16 As a whole, Canada is second only to the US in waste production. By following the 4 Rs, we can cut down the waste in our landfills and save energy and resources. And composting is an ideal way to manage household organic waste like kitchen scraps, grass clippings and other lawn and garden materials.

Huge amounts of material end up in landfills every year in North America.

Dave Mussell, Pembina Institute

The Four Rs

Refuse
This one is easy – if you don't need it, don't buy it! By refusing to purchase products that you don't really need, you can influence the whole production cycle, from extraction of raw materials to disposal, and all the greenhouse gas emissions associated with it.

Tips

• Post a sign by your mailbox indicating, "NO JUNK MAIL PLEASE."
• Share things you don't use often with friends or neighbours so you don't both have to buy them.

Reduce
One way of reducing waste is to buy less stuff, especially disposable goods. You can also buy in bulk or look for products with minimal packaging.

Tips

• Use cotton diapers instead of disposable ones.
• Use (and reuse) cloth napkins rather than paper ones.
• Avoid buying disposable pens, lighters, cameras, razors and other single-use goods.
• Carry a travel mug wherever you go and use it for coffee and other beverages. Most coffee shops will gladly fill your mug rather than one of their cups.
• Rather than buy disposable batteries, invest in rechargeable ones and a recharger unit.

Reuse
By reusing glass jars, paper, plastic containers, appliances, furniture and clothes, we can save energy. Reusing materials avoids all of the energy inputs involved in extraction, transportation, processing of raw materials into consumer products, and the waste management of products before and after their use.

Tips

• Use fix-it shops where practical to bring life back to worn but otherwise functional goods and appliances. Fix the sole on your shoe, reupholster your armchair, and repair appliances when possible.
• Sell your lightly-used items through garage sales, auctions, or second-hand dealers.
• Donate your lightly-used, no longer needed toys, books, appliances, furniture and clothing to charities.

Did you know?

It's hard to believe that babies – so small and innocent – are responsible for 2.5% of all residential waste going to landfill! Yes, in Canada we throw away 1.7 billion disposable diapers every year. And the manufacture of disposable diapers in Canada consumes approximately 65,500 tonnes of pulp, 8,800 tonnes of plastic and 9,800 tonnes of packing material. Cloth diapers are a greener alternative. If you don??t want to wash diapers yourself, consider using a diaper service.

Source: Recycling and Waste Reduction Statistics http://www.rco.on.ca/factsheet/fs_f02.html

end

Recycle
Recycling takes only 2 to 3 minutes a day. It's easy, economical, and good for the environment. This is because making things from post-consumer materials uses less energy and releases fewer emissions than using virgin materials.

Tips for Easy Recycling

• If your community doesn't have curbside recycling, why not set up your own recycling centre inside your home? It won't take up much space, and being organized will make recycling easier. Educate everyone in your household about the importance of the 4 Rs so participation is 100%. You can use durable plastic boxes to hold bottles, paper, milk cartons, metals and plastics until they are ready to be taken to the recycling depot. Make sure to empty, rinse and flatten all containers. Keep recyclables loose (do not bundle) and discard all lids.

What can be recycled?

• Newsprint
• Magazines
• Office and computer paper
• Juice boxes
• Aluminum and tin cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Boxboard containers (cereal and shoe boxes)
• Flattened corrugated cardboard boxes
• Milk cartons and jugs
• Plastic containers
• Plastic bags

Click here for more facts and figures on recyclable materials.

Check with your municipality about what kind of recycling programs are available. For more information on recycling and waste management in Alberta, visit the websites of the following organizations and agencies:

Alberta Environment - Action on Waste
Alberta Dairy Council Milk Container Recycling Program
Alberta Plastics Recycling Association
Beverage Container Management Board
Canada??s Waste Recycling Marketplace
Recycling Council of Alberta
Tire Recycling Management Association of Alberta
Used Oil Materials Recycling Associations

---

16. Source: Toronto Environmental Handbook '99 http://www.rco.on.ca/trivia.htm