Reducing Holiday Food Waste by MCR Leah A.

With a few tweaks to your holiday habits, you can reduce the waste your house will produce; which will add up to savings in your wallet and less pressure on our waste system!It isn’t
just gift giving that puts financial pressure on us and environmental pressure on our world.
From Thanksgiving through to New Year's Eve, many parties and holidays increase the amount of food we buy, prepare, consume and, yes, waste.

https://wrwcanada.com/en/get-involved/resources/food-waste-themed-resources/food-waste-canada-facts

With health in mind, consider making fewer snacks for casual parties. Most of us don’t want
to eat dozens of high-fat, high-sugar tidbits but with so many tempting offerings, what are
we to do? Fruit and veggies fill us up better than other offerings, plus take less time and
money to offer! With one or two festive options mixed in, we can truly enjoy a small
indulgence. Leftover veggies can be tossed into the next meal’s salad or soup, and fruit is
easy to add to lunches!

For large festive meals, ask guests to bring containers for leftovers. At the end of the meal,
guests can pack up a lunch to go and you’ll have less food to try and fit into your fridge, and
fewer days of repeating meals.

For food scraps, consider composting on-site; edmonton.ca/composting has lots of information
about how you can compost in your home in any circumstance. You’ll make fantastic fertilizer
for your indoor plants or garden, and be helping to reduce your personal footprint.

Leah joined the MCR ranks in May of 2014. She believes that urban environments offer a real opportunity to make the world increasingly sustainable. Favoured topics include composting, urban design, and (now) minimalism.

Holiday Waste Collection Changes

The City of Edmonton has made the following changes to its waste collection schedule.

There is no waste collection on Tuesday, December 25, 2018, and Tuesday, January 1, 2019. If your waste collection falls on these dates, your waste will be collected on Monday, December 24, 2018, and Monday, December 31, 2018, respectively.

All other collection days remain the same and collectors will be working as usual, including Boxing Day.

The City encourages residents to make collection easier by cleaning ice and snow away from collections areas and spreading sand on icy areas. Heavy and bulky items cannot be collected through residential collection and should be taken to Eco Stations. Residents can also drop off larger items at the Reuse Centre if they're still in good condition.

Residents can try the free WasteWise app to help them sort their waste.

Visit edmonton.ca/WasteCollection
Visit edmonton.ca/WastelessHolidays for more tips to make yours a #WastelessHolidays!

Tell One Friend: Reduce Holiday Gift Wrap

'Tis the season to celebrate the holidays by enjoying delicious meals with friends and family and exchanging gifts.  Did you know that waste increases in Edmonton around this time of year?

One way to cut down on the amount of waste this holiday season is to choose to wrap gifts with reused or recyclable materials.  Did you know that most traditional gift wrap, bags and bows are not recyclable and end up in the landfill?

Why not choose to go with a greener gift wrap option, this year?

5 Creative Ways to Wrap Your Gifts

• Wrap gifts in fabric. A great option is to make the wrapping part of the gift by using tie headbands, bandanas, scarves, or for the fabric enthusiast in your life, a piece of their favourite designer fabric. Did you know that fabric wrapping is also known as the the Japanese art of Furoshiki?

• Reuse fabric bags. Some bedding sheets come in a fabric bag at the time of purchase. These bags are easy to re-use to wrap a gift, or two! They are especially handy to re-use by the recipient as well.  Kids can store their art supplies and toys in while on-the-go, or you can organize a suitcase while travelling. Tie the fabric bag’s drawstring in a bow, add a re-used card gift tag and voila!

• Reuse maps, newspaper and calendars. Since most people depend on electronic maps, such as GPS, for directions, paper maps are a great item to use as gift wrap! Ask your friends, family or your local buy sell group if anyone has any to spare. Calendars are also a great option. You can finish your wrapping with a decoration by cutting the paper into thin strips and curl with scissors.

• Use brown kraft/packing paper. Whenever a package arrives in the mail, keep the brown paper wrapping. Smooth it out and fold it for future use! This paper can be stamped, coloured or finished with natural twine or a small piece of a spruce tree for a classy looking wrapped gift.

• Reuse gift boxes, bags and bows. Have any leftover wrapping from gifts of years passed? Re-use the items for this year’s holiday season!

Challenge those who you exchange gifts with to use a more sustainable option this holiday season. Visit the Reuse Centre to find reuse items to wrap gifts in this holiday season. 

Share pictures and ideas of your gift wrapping. Email mcrp@edmonton.ca.  

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Visit edmonton.ca/WastelessHolidays for more tips. Happy #WastelessHolidays!

MCR Appreciation Party 2018

Thanks to all the MCRs and friends who came out on Sunday, November 25th. It was great to see old friends and connect with other MCRs. Everyone had a fun time.

Waste Services is looking for excellent new volunteers. Invite a friend to volunteer as a Master Composter Recycler. Visit edmonton.ca/mcrp

Tell One Friend: Pack a Reusable Mug

Grabbing a coffee? Pack your reusable mug!

Edmontonians love a cup of coffee or tea on the go. It's warm and tasty on a chilly day. But all too often, that hot cup of deliciousness comes in a single-use, disposable cup.

How many times have you remembered to bring a mug with you for your morning coffee, or for that afternoon pick me up? Imagine the amount of disposable cups in the garbage every day if every Edmontonian bought a hot beverage.  Think about it; if you bought a beverage every day and left your mug at home each time, you would use at least 30 disposable cups per month.   That's a lot of cups!

5 tips to keep your beverage hot and be waste wise

1. Pack a reusable mug.
2. Ask your barista to use your mug when preparing your drink.
3. Help your barista by knowing how much liquid your mug holds.
4. Find coffee shops that offer a discount for reusable mugs.
5. Keep the coffee line moving. Be clear, polite, and have your payment ready.

Remember: A reusable coffee mug makes a great gift and keeps beverages hot for those coffee, tea, or hot chocolate lovers in your life.

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Tips for Changing Waste Behaviours

Make It Normal: Be a Role Model
Use your reusable mug. Others will notice and will encourage others to use their mug too.

Prompt a Friend
Ask questions like, "How will you remind yourself to pack a mug?" or "would you set a reminder on your phone to pack your mug?"

One Small Ask
Get their commitment with a small request, such as "Can I count on you to pack a mug in your car or bag?"

Prompt a Friend
"If you already have a mug in the car, will you take it into the coffee shop? Shops are happy to fill your mug instead of a disposable one. You can even use it for cold beverages."

Give Feedback
Acknowledge their effort and give encouragement, like "Oh, I love your reusable mug. Your one step helps the environment and cuts down on single-use items."

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Visit edmonton.ca/waste to learn What Goes Where

Strathcona Eco Station Temporarily Closing for Renovations

The Strathcona Eco Station will temporarily close for renovations on Sunday, October 28, and will reopen in spring 2019. There will be no access to the facility during the scheduled period.

Renovations to the facility include both routine maintenance and upgrades to ensure the best possible experience for customers. The upgrades to this busy Eco Station are aimed to alleviate wait times for customers, increase the number of bins available, and lengthen the driveway to increase the overall efficiency of the location.

During this period, residents are encouraged to visit one of the other three City of Edmonton Eco Stations: Ambleside, Coronation, and Kennedale.

Visit edmonton.ca/EcoStations

     

Seven Easy Ways for MCR to Stay in Touch

It is important to stay in touch with the MCR Program. Waste Services strives to show that, yes, volunteers play a meaningful role to make Edmonton a resilient and sustainable city.

Staying touch shows what MCRs accomplish, keeps MCRs knowledgeable, keeps MCRs engaged, and fits activities for MCRs.

Here are seven easy ways to connected...

1. Visit MyVolunteerPage.com | sign up for activities, contact us, record volunteering.

2. Click this Easy Form | We will record MCR volunteering on your volunteer profile.

3. Email mcrp@edmonton.ca | Say hello, record volunteering, share an idea or ask a question.

4. Phone Rodney or Tamara | We can help you navigate through MyVolunteerPage, chat, answer questions, record volunteering & more. Rodney-780-496-5991, Tamara-780-496-5051.

5. Text to 780-668-0217

6. Visit Rodney & Tamara | Set a time to say hello at the MCR office. Learn to use MyVolunteerPage or pick up supplies for your event.  Please make an appointment in advance to ensure we are in the office.

7. Do a MCR Volunteering Sheet | Rodney and Tamara have tiny forms at MCR events. Fill out the MCR Volunteering sheet and they will record MCR volunteering for you.

Visit edmonton.ca/mcrp

     

Time to Talk the Future of Waste

Changes are coming to the way you sort and manage your household waste. Edmontonians are invited to help adjust and shape these changes by providing feedback in person or online.

• Public Drop-in Sessions: October 3 until November 15
• Online Survey: October 1 until November 10

Topics for discussion include; four options for curbside garbage setouts, food waste and reuse, single-use plastics restrictions and more.

Feedback gathered will help shape final program recommendations presented to City Council in 2019. The recommendations will support the City of Edmonton’s focus on increasing the diversion of residential waste from landfills.

Visit edmonton.ca/futureofwaste

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Tell One Friend: Time to Talk Future of Waste

Waste Services is proposing big changes to the way Edmontonians sort and manage their waste at home and work. You can help shape your future waste management system!

Everyone has a role to play in managing Edmonton’s waste, to ensure a cleaner, sustainable future for our city. This fall, the City will be seeking input from Edmontonians about these proposed changes.

We need your help -- tell your friends, family, colleagues and community members about upcoming public engagement opportunities, and encourage them to participate. Share your voice, shape your city.

From October 1 - November 15, 2018, residents can attend an upcoming drop-in session and complete our online survey.

Sign up for our monthly Future of Waste e-news, for updates and upcoming public engagement opportunities.

One Small Ask

“Will you go to the web page and look at the survey? You can decide if you have the time to complete it”

Give Feedback

“Hey, I saw you at one of our Future of Waste drop-in sessions. That’s great you’re being active in the community and sharing your voice.”

Create Social Norms

“There are a lot of people in our community sharing their thoughts about the proposed waste collection changes. Have you shared yours through the survey or at a drop-in session?”


Visit edmonton.ca/futureofwaste or call 311.

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Tell One Friend: 3 Big Bin Events, This Month

There are two more Big Bin Events in September, 2018. This is a great opportunity for Edmontonians to dispose large or bulky items at no charge.

 • Couches, chairs, mattresses and household furniture
 • Fridges, freezers, washers, dryers, and household appliances (will be recycled)
 • Computers, televisions and household electronics (will be recycled)
 • Items for the Reuse Centre (will be reused)

Saturdays & Sundays

• September 8 & 9
  Southwest District Yard (6609 Gateway Boulevard)

• September 15 & 16
  Terwillegar Recreation Centre (2051 Leger Road)

• September 22 & 23
  Commonwealth Stadium (112 Avenue & 90 Street)

Materials NOT Accepted

• Commercial waste
• Household hazardous waste - Bring this to an Eco Station.

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Try these tips to connect with friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers.

Make It Personal: Decrease the "Barriers"
"You live around Terwillegar. So I wanted to remind you about the Big Bin Event coming up. It's close by."

Make It Personal: Increase the "Benefits"
"I like a Big Bin Event because it's FREE to drop off."

Create Social Diffusion
"Will you mention this month's Big Bin Events to at least two friends?”

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Visit edmonton.ca/BigBinEvents

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City Reports Focus on Future of Waste Services

On Thursday, August 23, the City's Utility Committee will discuss eight separate reports about the future of waste management in Edmonton.

Of the eight reports, three ask councilors to make decisions on the following topics:

• Alternate Collection and Diversion Options for Grass, Leaf and Yard Waste
• Source Separated Organics Pilot
• Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sectors Strategic Review

"Years ago, we set an ambitious goal: to divert 90 per cent of residential waste from the landfill. Right now, we're not close enough and we have to look at new ways to do things," says Michael Labrecque, Branch Manager, Waste Services. "For over a year, we've reviewed our programs and looked at what other cities are doing well. From this, we know we need to put more emphasis on waste reduction and prevention, and that means

looking at how residents set out their waste, what waste gets collected, when, and how.
This is a topic that affects every Edmontonian, and we look forward to supporting City Council as they determine the best direction for our city."

Below is a quick summary of what Edmontonians can expect to see debated at Utility Committee:

• Waste Services' Four-year Business Plan: Provides a strategic overview for
  2019-2022. This report outlines the priorities for the upcoming four-year budget
  cycle, including key initiatives, performance indicators and the utility rate.

• Waste Services: 25-year Strategic Outlook: Outlines key focus areas for the
  updated waste management strategy as it pertains to regulated waste services
  (such as single-unit and multi-unit properties), as well as non-regulated  waste
  services (such as commercial and industrial waste). The report also provides an
  overview of public engagement beginning in fall 2018.

• Alternative Collection and Diversion Options for Grass, Leaf and Yard Waste:
  Details options for removing grass waste from regular waste collection,
  implementing seasonal collection of leaf and yard waste, and providing
  alternative disposal programs for both. The report outlines three options based
  on operational and financial considerations as well as public engagement.

• Source Separated Organics Pilot: Outlines options for a source separated
  organics program testing phase prior to the planned 2020 program
  implementation. Four options are presented, as well as details of planned public
  engagement. Following public engagement, Administration will make a formal
  recommendation to Utility Committee about final details for the testing phase,
  involving 5,600 homes across the city.

• Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sectors Strategic Review: Provides
  an overview of the operations of Waste Services' non-regulated business lines.
  The report recommends revisiting the overall strategic approach, including a
  targeted engagement program. With respect to the current construction and
  demolition (C&D) waste processing operations. Administration recommends an
  immediate review of the business model to determine whether restructuring can
  better position operations to meet financial and environmental goals.

• Extended Producer Responsibility: Gives a review of extended producer
  responsibility policies and programs (waste reduction, reuse and recycling
  activities) in other jurisdictions. Outlines potential opportunities and details on
  how an extended producer responsibility policy would affect Edmonton's waste
  program.

• Food Waste Reduction: Details options for food waste reduction strategies,
  including potential partnerships, public education campaigns and examples from
  other municipalities, along with measures of effectiveness.

• Reduction and/or Elimination Mechanisms of Single-use Plastics: Provides
  an overview of current practices in other jurisdictions to reduce and/or eliminate
  the use of single-use plastics such as plastic bags, cups and straws.

Visit edmonton.ca/meetings for the full reports.
(Utility Committee -- Agendas, Minutes and Video).

Tell One Friend: "No Drinking Straw, Thank You"

Try this polite request to start meaningful conversations about waste..

Drinking straws are helpful tools in our daily lives. We see them everywhere and everyday. And some people really need them, especially people with disabilities. Then again, most of us don't need a drinking straw every time we dine out.

Politely decline a drinking straw and start a conversation.

Drinking straws are also a good way to start a conversation about garbage. They are a familiar example of single-use waste. Ask friends at your table what single-use items they can reduce.

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Try these tips to connect with friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers.

One Small Ask
"How about this. Would you try going without straws for just ONE week?"

Prompt Them
"By the way, guys, when our server comes around, I am going to order my beverage without a drinking straw. Who's with me?"

Give Positive Feedback
"Thanks for joining me."

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Your Thoughtful Opinion Counts

Another installment about Effective MCR Conversations

Have you found yourself saying something like this?

• "I watched a video on CBC about recycling, last night, and..."
• "According to Mark Cullen, grasscycling is good for my lawn."

What you think counts even more than you think.

Everyone bases our everyday decisions on the thoughtful guidance of our peers. We take short-cuts by listening to what others have learned and their thoughtful opinions. We listen, we reflect, and we select the best perspectives for ourselves.

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In fact, your opinion matters more than what you've read. Yes, friends like that you read stuff and you listen to experts.  BUT what really counts is that you reflected on the topic and built an opinion.

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Sometimes we distance ourselves by talking through someone else. It's seems less risky to say, for example, "The City wants everyone to go bagless" But that statement makes going bagless about the City, not about you, not your neighbour, and not even about the grass.

Own your opinion and share it, respectfully.
Try something like "I go bagless because ..." This makes the topic more personal.

Do NOT push your opinions on others. Share how you see the world.

We all look for the opinions of people we trust. As an MCR, you have an informed opinion about Edmonton's waste system: share it.

Coming Soon: MCR Update Sessions

Of course, it's important to have up-to-date information. The MCR Team will host MCR Update Sessions in October. Come out and learn about changes to Edmonton's waste system.

More "Effective MCR Conversations"

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Find Common Ground

Another installment about Effective MCR Conversations

We've all met someone who simply "doesn't get it." They buy disposable everything or maybe they don't care about climate change. It's like you see the consequences of their actions, but they don't. 

You don't want to argue with them, but you also know this is precisely the person we need to chat with. Don't start listing arguments that will convince them to change ways.

Start by finding common ground.

Take a deep breath and look for what you have in common. Statistically speaking, all humans have more in common than we have different. In fact, common ground is not hard to come by. In some cases, it is almost universal.

People are more likely to be influenced by those they perceive to be much like themselves. We look to base their opinion on people with whom we have something in common.

It doesn't take much. You might comment on food they bought - saying how you really enjoy food at this particular fast food restaurant. You might hint at the challenges of parenthood. The weather is a good one: we are all subjected to the same weather.

You may say something like: "Wow, I see that you got food from [insert fast food place]. I love that place. Do you come here a lot? I find they give out a lot of disposables so I try to bring a reusable container with me whenever I go there for lunch". 

It's important to be genuine. Don't invent stuff. Simply connect on a human level.

This skill comes with practice.

Your first goal is building a rapport and planting a seed.

What are your successes with finding common ground? Share in a comment, below.

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Master Composter Recyclers Help Edmonton Re-Naturalize

Last Tuesday, MCRs planted 207 trees & shrubs at our annual summer planting event.  Thanks to everyone who came out. It was a big success.

We finished planting just before the rain and thunder came and all the plants benefited from warm showers, later that night. Perfect timing!

Staff with the City of Edmonton's Root for Trees program taught us about naturalization of urban areas. This includes letting the grass in an area grow (no mowing) in the first year and planting trees and shrubs in the second year. The new plants slowly take over, returning the area to a more natural landscape.

All in all, it takes several years to naturalize an area. Naturalization increases Edmonton's urban forest and offers many benefits. For one, this reduces mowing and maintenance.

MCRs chatted while we planted. The 175 trees & shrubs and 32 wildflowers included trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), white spruce (Picea glauca), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), prickly rose (Rosa acicularis), and graceful cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis).

Thank you, once again, to everyone who came out.

     

"Hello, Let's Eat" - A New City of Edmonton Pilot by MCR Amanda R.

The City of Edmonton is trying a new pilot program called “Hello, Let’s Eat” which lends out dishes for gatherings that foster relationships between neighbours, coworkers, and friends, and get people talking to each other! I wanted to try this program was because I desperately wanted to avoid disposables for my baby’s 100-day party.

The 100-day party is a Chinese tradition that always incorporates food. Our party took place on June 23, 2018. We hosted a casual backyard BBQ for approximately 30 friends, and coworkers.

The process is really simple. Visit Hello,Let’s Eat and fill out the application form.

Dishes packed into my vehicle from River City Events

The kits are available in either 12 or 24 settings.  We rented the 24-place settings – as you can see, it’s quite a few dishes!  It included flatware, plates, bowls, water glasses, and soup mugs. The kit also contains laminated placemats with the “Hello, Let’s Eat” logo.

Since our party was on a Saturday, I had to pick up the dishes on Friday, and return them on the following Monday.  I picked them up at River City Events, which is just north of MacEwan University.

One really nice perk of the program is that you don’t need to wash the dishes prior to returning them – simply scrape the food remnants into your compost pile (or the dog bowl) and then give everything a quick rinse.

I hope this program takes off- it’s a simple way to have a waste-free event, foster new and old friendships, and doesn’t cost any money!

Visit edmonton.ca/hello

Amanda became an MCR in 2016 and has been composting, reducing, reusing, and recycling ever since.  She has hosted information booths on various waste reduction subjects from vermicomposting to grasscycling and strikes up conversations with pretty much everyone about waste. Amanda’s favourite waste reduction strategies are using her tumbler composters (because it's free fertilizer/soil amendment for the garden!), gardening (ie. no food packaging!), and cloth diapers and wipes for her baby, Caspian.