Tell One Friend: Wasteless New Year's Resolutions

The new year is an opportunity to set new goals! Asking a friend or family member for one goal to reduce waste is a small but mighty ask.

Ideas for Small Asks

• Use a reusable straw. Stainless steel or bamboo straws are easy to find in many stores or online. Gifting one to a friend or making carrying cases from reused fabric for the straws together is a good way to get a conversation going!
• Start a compost pile. Start up a conversation about home composting with a friend, family member or neighbour. Highlight your own interest and how easy it can be. Helping someone set up a compost can be a fun, social activity.
• Recycle right. Encourage your friends and family to download the WasteWise app to learn what goes where. You could also show them how to visit edmonton.ca/waste and check on an item.
• Use reusable shopping bags. This is an easy one!  They are inexpensive to buy and some even fold up to pack with you wherever you go. How would they remind themselves to bring the bags into the store?
• Use reusable produce bags. These are also easy to find or to sew for yourself. Bag your fruits and veggies at the market or grocery store in a reusable bag, before heading to the cashier.
• Consciously buy less clothing. Buying well made, versatile, ethically-made clothing, can really help cut down on clothing costs. Purchasing timeless basics and using them to create multiple outfits can aid in keeping closets and dressers free of clutter.
• Buy food in bulk. Some stores in Edmonton allow for reusable jars or containers to be filled to decrease packaging consumption. 

What are Your Wasteless Goals for 2019?
Post in the comments below. Or email mcrp@edmonton.ca

Visit edmonton.ca/wastelessholidays

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The clothes off your back...

Clothing and fabric are no longer accepted at City of Edmonton Recycling Depots. 

These textiles were collected to make recycled paper. The manufacturer, Greys Paper, has found other suppliers and so they no longer need this source of textiles.

Partnerships with hotels and other suppliers provide a source of linens that do not need to be sorted. Now that these relationships are well established, they provide a more cost-effective and efficient source of cotton for Greys Paper.

How do you reuse your old clothing? Post your story in the comments.

Waste Management Services encourages residents to donate their reusable clothing to one of the charitable organizations in our city. Organizations that accept clothing can be found at edmonton.ca/reusedirectory.

Some organizations also accept rag material or have agreements with cloth and textile recyclers, so check with your charity of choice before tossing that threadbare t-shirt! Contact your local shop for donation guidelines.

Of course, not all clothing needs to be tossed. A local tailor can help you with alterations, or take your minor repairs to an Edmonton Repairathon event for a free fix. Clothing too-damaged-to-wear can be cut into rags for cleaning, or put to good use for any number of crafts.