More Trees Please

On August 21, MCRs planted trees in Mill Creek Ravine along Hazeldean neighbourhood.
They planted 214 trees in total. Way to go MCRs!

 

For more information: visit edmonton.ca/mcrp

 

Tell One Friend: Have Your Say Without Delay

It's time to continue the conversation. The City is looking for more input about the future of Edmonton's waste programs and services.

Join Waste Services to refine potential changes to cart sizes, share ideas for improving access to Eco Stations and more. Public engagement opportunities have begun and continue to April 15, 2019. What We Heard (fall, 2018)

How to Have Your Say

 • Complete the Online Survey
 • Visit a Drop-In Session

---

Make Your Message Effective

Here are some tips for connecting with friends, family, neighbours and co-workers:

Be a Role Model
"I completed the online survey about waste, last night. It was neat and easy to do."

Decrease the Barriers
"The City also has drop-in sessions too. Let's find the next event,I completed the online survey about waste, near you."

Increase the Benefits
"Yes, the drop-in events are fun and interesting. Plus, our input will make a difference, helping you and I to deal with garbage, food scraps, and recycling."

One Small Ask
"Will you complete the online survey?"

Visit edmonton.ca/futureofwaste

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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!

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

     

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).

"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.

     

Tell One Friend: Mow High, Mow Often

Do you leave your clippings on the lawn? Remember to mow high and mow often.

Mowing high ensures that your clip only 1/3 of the length of the grass blades, each time. Small clippings also break down easily. Mowing often develops a deep, extensive root system and leaves little room for weeds to grow.

• Raise your mower blade to medium range.
  Mow to the height of your pinky, or 6 to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 inches).
• Mow about every 4 to 5 days during the heavy growth season.
  When growth is slower, cutting once a week or less will suffice.
• Sharpen the blade. It's makes for a sharp-looking lawn.
  Grass recovers more quickly when cut cleanly.

Help your friends and neighbours keep it simple.

Prompt Them
"It's really simple to leave my clippings on the lawn. I don't cut off too much of the grass at a time. I mow regularly, but I don't have the hassle of bagging and dragging my grass."

One Small Ask
"Can I show you how to raise the blade on your mower? You can decide what length to go with afterwards."

Give Feedback
"I love how lush your lawn looks, and I noticed you leaving the clippings on the lawn. Will you get in touch if you ever need help?"

Did You Know?
It is not too late to go bagless if the grass has grown a bit too long. Just raise your mower blade to the highest possible setting. Go over your lawn once, then lower the blade it to a medium range, and mow the lawn a second time. It will still be more time effective than bagging your grass and ensures your clippings remain small enough to break down efficiently.

Visit edmonton.ca/gobagless
Visit edmonton.ca/waste to learn What Goes Where.

Next Tell One Friend: "No Drinking Straw, Thank You"
Previous Tell One Friend: Make Waste-Wise Actions Visible

City Releases Progress Report on Energy Transition Strategy

The City released its annual progress report of the Energy Transition Strategy, a comprehensive climate change mitigation strategy approved by City Council in 2015. The report highlights programs and milestones achieved in 2017 and informs citizens on upcoming initiatives over the next year.

“The actions outlined in this report help citizens and businesses to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and take advantage of rebate programs offered by other levels of government while maximizing the economic benefits of a low carbon economy,” said Paul Ross, Branch Manager of Economic and Environmental Sustainability at the City of Edmonton. 

Highlights of the report include:

• In 2017 the City of Edmonton launched two nation-leading labelling programs: EnerGuide for Homes for the residential sector and Building Energy Benchmarking for the commercial sector. Approximately 500 homes participated in EnerGuide and 83 buildings participated in year one of the Benchmarking program.
• 2018 will advance solar power uptake in Edmonton with the launch of a new solar map showing the energy potential of roofs in Edmonton and new tools to leverage provincial rebates. 2018 will also bring advancement of LRT, Blatchford, and new projects such as the Corporate Climate Leaders program.
• The City is updating its greenhouse gas management plan to meet its 2035 reduction targets and will provide detailed emissions data and future emission projections to Council in May. 

To learn more about Edmonton’s Energy Transition Strategy and view the progress report, visit edmonton.ca/energytransition.

Friends & Colleagues at the MCR Townhall

Thanks to all the MCRs, MCRs-in-Training, and 2018 Candidates at the MCR Townhall Meeting.

It was great to see friends, new and old.

Front: Sunil & Julie
Row 2: Chidi., Elaine, Bana, Majida, Melissa, Coleen & Helene
Row 3: Erika, Katie, Yohie, Pam, Maria & Sarah
Row 3: Tammy, Hetal, Jocelyn, Mildred, Pat, Marx, Kayla & Cayley
Back: Hetal, Kory, Rodney, Suzy, Neil, Christine, Gordon, Liz, Bronwen, Terry, Nicole, Gaby, & Mark

We covered a lot of ground in a couple hours.

Waste Strategy Update
We discussed the Strategy Update presented to Utility Committee on February 23rd. Click here to read the strategy, the minutes, and documents. You can also watch the discussion.

Utility Committee approved the Strategy Update, in principle. The proposals go to City Council for more discussion on March 20th.

Improving the MCR Program
MCRs gave feedback about improving the program and helping MCRs be even more effective.
Some specific topics were:

• easy ways to record volunteering, 
• how to stay active as MCRs, and
• how to show friends & colleagues that we are waste experts

     

Edmonton Waste Management Centre Welcomes Their First Artist-in-Residence, Leanne Olson

The Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) is a unique collection of advanced waste processing and research facilities where municipal waste is transformed into useful resources. The Centre is 233 hectares in size; the Composting Facility alone occupies space equivalent to almost five football fields. On average, 4,500 trucks bearing 9,800 tonnes of material cross the scale every week. Over 15,000 students, teachers and adults tour the Centre each year.

“We’re excited for this opportunity to host an artist-in-residence at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre,” said Michael Robertson, contract manager with the City of Edmonton’s Materials Recovery Facility. “Leanne’s passion for capturing change in the natural world connects to our goals of waste reduction and environmental stewardship. I think that her work here will provide a fresh perspective on waste and a new way to engage with Edmonton residents and our staff.”

In September, the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton put out the call for an artist to take residency at this massive municipal waste facility. More than 25 local artists applied for the opportunity, and due to her artistic focus and environmental interests, local artist Leanne Olson was ultimately selected for the position.

Olson is a photo-based artist born in Toronto and raised in Edmonton. In 2002, she received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Film & Media Studies from the University of Alberta. Olson also has a history of working and engaging with the community, with experience as a lead artist in the print studio at the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts and as an ongoing community art project facilitator with the Bissell Centre in Edmonton.

Click Here to see more of Leanne's work & read her interview

  

MCR Refresher: 6 Things MCRs Should Know about the Reuse Centre

It was great to see MCRs, last Thursday. Here are highlights from our chat.

1. Ten Years of Growth & Change
The Reuse Centre has kept over 1,500 tonnes of waste out of the landfill and welcomed over 200,000 customer visits to donate and shop.

The Reuse Centre is bigger and busier than ever. More donations. More items. More diverted from landfill. More volunteers. This isn't a tiny Centre any more.

Then again... A busy facility means keeping a fair system for all. MCRs are like any other customer. We pay the regular $5 fee. And we only drop off items from the Accepted Items List.

2. Products & Pricing

• The List of Accepted Items evolves, over time.
• Changes happen every year, based on careful consideration including Customer Satisfaction Surveys, in-store wishlists, and feedback from staff and volunteers.

• Criteria for Accepted Items:
• Items that will sell in the store.
• Avoid competing with other second-hand organizations.
• Current Pricing:
• Individuals: $5 for up to 50kg
• Leisure Access Program (LAP): 24 free punches/year
• Non-profits: $50 for 25 punches

3. Teaming up to Reduce Waste

• Residents can donate items to the Reuse Centre at any Eco Station.
  Just make sure the bag or box is clearly labelled.
• Goodwill Alberta sends donations that do not sell on their shelves to the Reuse Centre, like VHS tapes, photo frames, and baskets.

4. Lots of Volunteering
Over 300 volunteers help sort items, lead tours, assist with crafting workshops, and write for the Reuse-It Edmonton blog. And volunteering at the Reuse Centre has changed too.

Group Sorting

• Groups of volunteers (4 to 20 people) can schedule a shift to sort items. This also means there aren't drop-in opportunities for individuals. Yes, there are lots of groups who want to volunteer.
• There are 2 MCR sorting groups. Contact Rodney or Helene to connect with them.

Individual Volunteering

• Tour Guides
• Craft Assistants
• Bloggers for Reuse-It Edmonton

5. A Volunteer's Joy: "One Free Purchase"
Volunteers who sort at least one hour get one free purchase in the store.
Some common-sense conditions apply:

• up to 50kg (just like one regular purchase)
• shop after your shift, not before
• shop the same day, and
• everyone shops from the store (not from the Sorting Room).

6. Turn on the Programs
The Reuse Centre now hosts group programs, birthday parties, reuse workshops, and even boardroom rentals. Also, there are special events like Family Day and drop-in crafting sessions.

Visit edmonton.ca/ReuseCentre or edmonton.ca/ReuseVolunteers
Visit facebook.com/EdmontonReuseCentre

     

City Launches New Change for Climate Initiative for Edmontonians

The City of Edmonton has launched Change for Climate, a new initiative to encourage citizens to take action on climate change.

The initiative is anchored around a new blog called ChangeForClimate.ca where residents are provided a spectrum of 30 actions to help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The actions cover a wide range of impact levels, from hanging clothes instead of using a dryer to installing a solar panel system on a roof.

“Edmonton has emerged as a sustainability-focused city, and our citizens care about sustainability,” says Councillor Michael Walters. “Change for Climate will serve as a tool where citizens can learn and practice ways to reduce their carbon footprint. They will be provided with a real opportunity to act on climate change.”

The Change for Climate initiative is a major component of the City’s goal of creating a 35% reduction in the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 (below 2005 levels). The blog will provide Edmontonians with the opportunity to share their Change for Climate stories, highlighting why and how they are taking action. It also encourages citizens to select actions from the spectrum, participate on related City programs and share their commitments on social media.

Edmonton is part of global social, economic and environmental systems that support our quality of life. These systems are being disrupted by climate change. We have an opportunity to act now and act locally to protect our quality of life, our health and our economy. Our actions in our community have local and global impacts.

Edmontonians will have many opportunities to engage and participate in the new Change for Climate initiative. Over the next six months, various community events will take place starting with Change for Climate Talks on Dec.7, an evening in which 12 speakers will bring fast paced and inspiring presentations on what we can do to act on climate change. More events are planned in the New Year leading up to the 2018 Cities and Climate Change Science Conference March 5-7.

Visit ChangeForClimate.ca

Only YOU Can Prevent Dutch Elm Disease

Did you know Edmonton is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of elm trees uninfected with Dutch elm disease?

Prevention of Dutch elm disease starts by keeping elm trees healthy. During the colder months (October 1 to March 31), prune dead wood from your elm trees. Dead wood is a habitat for the insect that causes Dutch elm disease. (The City is responsible for pruning and maintaining trees on boulevards.) It is illegal to prune between April 1 and September 30.

To Safely Dispose of Elm Wood:

• Small elm branches can be bundled and placed at the curb with regular household waste. Bundles must be smaller than 1.2 m (4 ft) and 20 kg (44 lbs).
• Large elm branches and logs can be taken to special elm disposal bins at an Eco Station. Drop off is free. Branches must be smaller than 1.2m (4 ft) in order to fit the bins.
• Large loads (more than a half-ton truck) and commercial loads must be taken to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. Disposal fees apply.

Do not to store wood from fallen or damaged trees, as this increases the risk of spreading Dutch elm and other tree diseases. Fallen trees on private property should be removed by a professional tree removal company. Do not keep or transport fallen elm tree debris for firewood.

Identifying Elm Trees

The elm tree has the following characteristics:

Green, toothed leaves that turn yellow in fall;

Bark that is deeply ridged and grey-brown in color;

A roughly vase- or fountain-like shape;

A height of about 35 metres (115 feet) and trunk diameter of about 175 centimetres (68 inches) at maturity.

Visit edmonton.ca - Dutch Elm Disease

Waste Services Temporarily Closes the Compost Facility

The City of Edmonton's Waste Services has temporarily closed the Edmonton Composting Facility (ECF).

An engineering assessment of the ECF identified structural issues with the building. As staff safety is the number one priority, Waste Services has temporarily shut down the composting facility while they explore short- and long-term solutions.

In the interim, wet waste will be redirected to the transfer floor. Waste Services is urgently working to find other options to best manage the organics fraction.

Visit edmonton.ca/waste

Celebrating with Friends: 2017 Volunteer Appreciation Event

Thursday, October 19, was a fine celebration of volunteering with Waste Services. Master Composter Recyclers and the Reuse Centre volunteers were recognized by the City for their efforts over the past year.

 

Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the evening. It was fun spending time with friends.