THUNDER BAY – Waste Reduction Week (WRW) is happening in Thunder Bay and all across Canada from October 18 – 24. The City of Thunder Bay Transportation & Works Department have teamed up with EcoSuperior, and their community partners to deliver a full program of special events and promotions during the week.
Corporate partners include ReCool Canada, Pack Pros Plus, Intercity Shopping Centre, Ontario Electronic Stewardship, and Print Pros.
Waste Reduction Week will be officially launched today at Hammarskjold High School, where Mayor Lynn Peterson will help the students celebrate the school’s environmental initiatives. “Hammarskjold has an impressive recycling program in place,” said Mayor Peterson. “Their plans to begin a composting program in the near future are truly forward thinking”. Other initiatives include a two year Specialist High Skills Major Program focused on the Environment and the “EnviroHamm Outers”.
EcoSuperior’s Youth & Education Program Coordinator, Heather Shaver, will be present to launch their new Green Schools recycling and composting manuals. The manuals provide detailed instructions on implementing recycling and composting programs in schools, and include informed advice from those who already have these systems in place.
Waste Reduction Week is intended to raise public consciousness about waste and its environmental and social ramifications. Waste Reduction Week’s theme – “Too Good to Waste” is about conveying an appreciation for conserving resources and curbing wasteful practices.
Waste Reduction Week 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 with local radio stations, waste and recycling tours, and a full schedule of school presentations. This afternoon there is a public tour, (including transportation from town), of ReCool Canada’s recycling facility.
Next Saturday, October 23, an interactive and educational Waste Reduction & Recycling Information Fair will be held in the Zellers wing of Intercity Shopping Centre from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Outside, on the same day, in the parking lot near Sears, there will be a Community Electronic Waste Collection between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. There will also be opportunities for residents to ‘get caught recycling’ – and win great prize packages for their waste reduction efforts.
For more information on events or waste reduction help, contact EcoSuperior at 624-2143, or visit www.ecosuperior.org. 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.