Waste Reduction Week in Canada
October 15-21, 2012

2011 WRW in Canada

Albertans Celebrated Waste Reduction Week
from October 17-23, 2011

Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada was developed by a coalition of 13 recycling councils and sister organizations from across Canada and is delivered the third week of October each year. The Program’s goal is to inform Canadians about the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices. WRW uses its “take action” messaging to empower all Canadians to adopt more environmentally-conscious choices. WRW provides Canadians with information and ideas to reduce waste in all facets of daily living, creating solutions to the many environmental challenges we face.

Find more information at Waste Reduction Week across Canada and download resource kits and posters.

Triple StaRs Grade 4 Waste Reduction Challenge
Triple StaRs Waste Reduction Challenge is a great way for Grade 4 classes in Alberta to find practical ways to reduce waste during Waste Reduction Week and throughout the year. The challenge has been designed to easily fit into regular classroom planning and is a great fit with the Waste in Our World curriculum. Click here to download the final report on the 2011 Triple StaRs program.

Congratulations to the winning Grade 4 classrooms at Colonel Sanders School in Calgary, St. Mary School in Westlock, and Willow Park School in Leduc.

2011 Waste Reduction Week Ease My Load Campaign
Atlas has been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for the past 4.5 billion years. In the past century, his load is getting heavier and heavier. Canadians are creating 1031 kg of waste per person each year and over 75% of this waste is just piling up in landfills all over the country. If every Canadian took one significant action to reduce their waste, this would greatly ease the load for Atlas. Click here for details on the Ease My Load Campaign.

Recycle My Cell Challenge for Students
The Recycle My Cell national cell phone recycling program wants to help Atlas ease his load by making sure that all old and out-of-use cell phones, smartphones, wireless PDAs, pagers as well as their batteries and accessories are properly recycled.

Canadian students from kindergarten to post-secondary were challenged to recycle as many old wireless devices and accessories as possible between October 17 and November 17, 2011. In addition to doing a good thing for the environment, students could also win some great prizes: $500 for their school to use for green initiatives, plus a new electronic device that was awarded by the school to a student who has shown outstanding leadership in environmental protection. Check here for more information and the list of winners. Congratulations to McKenzie Lake School in Calgary, Alberta, for being one of the winners of the 2011 Recycle My Cell Challenge.

*NEW* Municipal Toolkit
Check out our new Municipal Toolkit for suggestions and ideas on how to celebrate Waste Reduction Week in your community. Topics include:

• Participate in Waste Reduction Week
• Tips for Hosting a Green Event
• Lunch and Learn Presentation Suggestions
• Sample Proclamation
• Get Caught Recycling Contest
• Trivia Questions
• Waste Related Facts
• Litterless Lunch Challenge
  

Promote Waste Reduction Week in Your Community, Office or School!
Check out our graphic resources that you can use to promote your event. You can use promotional graphics to add colour to your posters, advertisements, emails and publications.

Proclaim Waste Reduction Week in Your Community or School
The following Alberta municipalities and schools have proclaimed October 17-23, 2011 to be Waste Reduction Week:

The 2011 Waste Reduction Week in Alberta is generously supported by

Contact us to become a sponsor of WRW in Alberta.

Past WRW Campaigns

Check out what was going on for Waste Reduction Week in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

For more information on the Recycling Council of Alberta's involvement in Waste Reduction Week email wrw@recycle.ab.ca.

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