THUNDER BAY – Waste Reduction Week (WRW) is happening in Thunder Bay and all across Canada from October 17-23, 2016. The City of Thunder Bay, EcoSuperior and their community partners have multiple activities and promotions planned during the week to educate and inspire everyone to reduce waste and save resources using the six R’s: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle. A kick-off ceremony for the week’s events was held today at Kingsway Park Public School. Councillor Linda Rydholm congratulated students and staff for their waste reduction and environmental initiatives. Lakehead Public School Board Trustee Marg Arnone was also on hand to commend the school community on their commitment to sustainability.
Kingsway Park students and staff have made a commitment to reduce waste in their school. One of the primary ways of demonstrating this was a pledge to go back to the tap. Each student was presented with a reusable water bottle with the intent to help reduce the waste produced by disposable water bottles. The school community also has an award winning bee and butterfly garden that is used as a teaching tool for students. Kingsway Park School has recently made the commitment to become an official EcoSchool and is actively working on requirements for Certification. All of the school’s commitments really highlight all the ways we can help out the environment. Students are encouraged to take this message home and spread the word in their family and extended families.
Waste Reduction Week is intended to raise public consciousness about waste and its environmental and social impacts. The program incorporates many events and activities that have become traditions in Thunder Bay, including the Great Pumpkin Compost Collection, the safe disposal of unwanted paint program, contests, Solid Waste and Recycling Facility tours, a composter delivery service, and school presentations.
Program sponsors include the City of Thunder Bay Infrastructure & Operations Department, GFL Environmental and Ungalli Clothing Co.
For more information on events or waste reduction help, contact EcoSuperior at 624-2142, or visit www.ecosuperior.org/wrw. Visit the national Waste Reduction Week website at www.wrwcanada.com to find out more about the week’s history and events taking place across Canada.
