Guardian Dental Goes Green

Staff at Guardian Dental contacted the City of Edmonton's Waste Services in early 2016, looking for information about Edmonton's recycling system. They were developing a sustainability plan and mandate, and wanted to know how they could reduce waste in their office. 

We were thrilled to hear back from them recently with an update on their sustainability journey! Dr. Katherine Roche and her staff are committed to sustainable practices, and hope to inspire other businesses to go green.

---

It was mid-November 2015 and I was standing in my newly purchased dental practice! I had been working as an associate dentist in several practices for nearly a decade, learning and growing and helping patients. However, one aspect of these offices always bugged me: bags and bags of garbage!

A significant quantity of throw-away, single-use items accumulates throughout the day and ends up in the landfill.  I wanted to do better and find other options.  As the owner of my own office with a supportive and motivated team, I knew I could give environmental practices and purchasing choices the priority they deserve.

The method for our sustainability audit was simple, if not easy: examine everything we placed in the garbage.  Was it essential? Was there a washable or sterilizable alternative? Minimal packaging? Recyclable? Biodegradable? Basically, applying the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra.

Dr. Katherine Roche loves her green, biodegradable gloves.

The dental industry has moved toward disposable items for the sake of convenience. Environmentally friendly products and alternatives are not often priorities.  When we told suppliers our purchasing mandate, there was often a long pause over the phone. Fortunately, we have found some great solutions without compromising the safety or functionality of our dental office.

Now, instead of a full garbage bag of mixed-material trash at the end of a single operating day, the only ‘landfill’ material our office throws away are surgical masks, mini plastic brushes, and plastic-and-wire suction tips, all of which are sourced from BeeSure EcoBee with recycled and biodegradable content. The office also generates compostable material consisting of food waste from our (usually) home made lunches, the completely biodegradable single-use surgical gloves, and paper (non-lined) cups. Every other material is either recycled or reused once it has been cleaned or sterilized.

It has been a long and ongoing process obtaining products that fit our mandate. In some cases, there aren't good alternatives available, and we have encountered some puzzling regulation requirements. We are researching sustainably and ethically sourced floss. Finding an affordable option can be a challenge. Most conventional floss is nylon or Teflon. These materials will never biodegrade. It's heartbreaking to think of this material - so essential to dental health! - slowly compromising our environment, thread by thread.

Our compact washing machine and reusable bibs.

We spent a considerable amount of capital to upgrade our sterilization cassettes to ones that don't require double layers of polypropylene wrap for each sterilization load.  We recycle all of our paper-and-plastic sterilization pouches (separated into components).  We have replaced disposable bibs and head rest covers with bright,waterproof fabric ones which are laundered in a high efficiency washing machine. We use a fast-acting, eco-friendly disinfecting cleaner rather than using disposable plastic sheeting barriers on all surfaces. We appreciate the efforts of all the companies and organizations that support us with environmental options, from EcoBee in California and POH in Oklahoma, to local heroes like Greenmunch and the amazing education team with the City of Edmonton.

The team at Guardian Dental.

For business owners, sustainability efforts are sometimes framed as prohibitively expensive. In reality, our commitment to finding low waste solutions has saved us money over time that is then reallocated toward energy offsets and more sustainable product choices.

It takes time and education to make patients consider the environmental impact of the different businesses they support. Most patients see their dentist once or twice a year and don't consider the cumulative impact. People often think of eco dentistry as something that relates to the materials used to repair their teeth.  I always carefully consider every dental treatment plan for biocompatibility and preservation of existing tooth structure for a lifetime of oral health. However, there is more to my patients' health than the dental care I provide. I want to be constantly considering and investigating ways to conserve resources and preserve the natural environment. I believe in restoring that commitment to a place of priority in all aspects of our lives, our businesses as well as our homes.

Dr Katherine Roche DDS
www.guardiandental.ca

Thank You, City of Edmonton Volunteers

The following is republished from Transforming Edmonton:

Have you ever wondered how events at the Edmonton Valley Zoo and programs at your favourite attractions facility go off without a hitch? How does litter disappear from neighbourhoods? Or how did your neighbour learn to compost?

Wonder no more because thousands of volunteers with the City of Edmonton make it happen. Volunteers make Edmonton a vibrant and sustainable place to live and grow!

December 5 is International Volunteer Day. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for the time and effort you have contributed to the City of Edmonton. Our programs and services would not be the same without your support and dedication. In their honour, the High Level Bridge was lit last night to show appreciation.  

The City of Edmonton owes the success of many programs and events to over 14,000 registered volunteers, contributing more than 215,000 hours each year. Volunteers can get involved in planting trees, picking up litter, working various jobs at special events, educating citizens on waste reduction, sitting on a board or committee and much more. Volunteers play an important role in the following City programs and services:

• Capital City Clean Up
• Civic Agencies, Boards and Commissions
• Dogs Off Leash Ambassador Program
• Edmonton Police Service
• Edmonton Public Library
• Edmonton Valley Zoo
• Edmonton Youth Council
• Fort Edmonton Park
• Front Yards in Bloom
• John Janzen Nature Centre
• John Walter Museum
• Leaders in Training
• Master Composter Recyclers
• Muttart Conservatory
• Reuse Centre
• Root for Trees

Volunteers come from all walks of life. They were born-and-raised in Edmonton or are new to the city. They are young or old or in between. They are individuals, families or groups. They are diverse in faith, background, education and experience. Cathy Backewich, a long standing Capital City Clean Up volunteer, says, “Volunteering gives me purpose and ownership in my community and city as a whole. Volunteering also provides an opportunity for people to use abilities that they may not know they have and to gain experience in things they’ve have never been involved with before.”

Volunteers of all ages selflessly give their time supporting programs, events and activities that they hold close to their hearts. "Over the years, we have witnessed the magic of volunteerism; the dedication and the pride that each and every volunteer brings,” says Susan Kankkunen, Corporate Volunteer Resource Coordinator.

“Excited volunteers are calling us up before the snow is even melted to get their supplies to head out into their communities and the River Valley to pick up litter! Their dedication truly make me proud of the amazing citizens who volunteer for the City of Edmonton,” says Tamara Brunelle, Capital City Clean Up Volunteer Coordinator.

“Master Composter Recyclers make a big difference for Edmonton’s waste system,” comments Sarah Snider with the Master Composter Recycler Program. “Our volunteers make a real impact on what their friends and neighbours do with their waste. They are champions of waste reduction and local sustainability.”

Vanessa Ostapchuk with the Reuse Centre adds, “The Reuse Centre offers some really wonderful volunteer experiences. Some of our volunteers gain skills with independent living and fundamental work experience. Meanwhile, we engage groups, corporations, and individuals that are incredibly creative.”

Laura Nichol, the Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at Fort Edmonton

Park depends on more than a 1000 volunteers annually to bring this history to life. “With volunteers from a few weeks old to nearly 100 years, from all backgrounds and cultures, we take pride in sharing Edmonton's diverse stories together.”

Katelynne Webb from the Roots for Trees Program says, “Through the hard work of dedicated volunteers in 2016, Edmonton now has over 39,000 new trees and shrubs. They help to make our city a more beautiful and green place to live and play!”.  

“Volunteering is really at the heart of living in Edmonton.They are a crucial link between civic governance and community engagement,” says Vickie Gunderson, Manager of Civic Agency Governance. “That’s where ‘citizens-at-large’ can play key roles on the City’s Agencies, Boards, and Committees.”

Lawrence Jansen, Volunteer Coordination with the Edmonton Police Service notes, “The impact of our volunteers is immeasurable when citizens have been affected by crime or other serious incidents. We couldn’t provide the level of service required without our volunteers who are there to assist, whether it’s taking an accident report at a community station or providing support to victims who have been affected by a traumatic event.”

Catherine Falk, Community Greening Coordinator, notes that there are also many opportunities for people to showcase their pride in the Edmonton or gain practical experience in an area they are passionate about. In fact, she says, “Volunteers have an enormous impact on numerous community programs to the point that they are truly the owners and directors of the program growth.”

Get involved today, we’d love to have you!  Visit edmonton.ca/volunteers to learn about the exciting opportunities that await you!

Composting at The Sunshine Community Garden

MCRs are "community leaders in waste reduction." Here is Jocelyn C's report about setting up a compost system at her community garden -- along with students from a local junior high school!  

"Although I was not yet an MCR in 2014, I was already a composting devotee so I took on the task of planning our community garden’s composting system. The Sunshine Garden (or Fulton Place community garden) was designed in 2014 and built in May 2015. 

To get ideas for placement and design, I first called the City of Edmonton’s compost hotline and asked Mark Stumpf-Allen to come to a garden meeting in May 2014 to answer our community garden composting questions. In July 2014, I also took part in the Sustainable Food Edmonton community garden bike tour, which really helped me get an idea of the different approaches these gardens took to collecting and harvesting compost.

During the tour, I was especially impressed by the composting system from the Rio Terrace Community Garden, so we went ahead and copied its 3-bin design by buying these brackets from Lee Valley. Using Mark’s advice, we placed the composting system in an area sheltered by two lilac trees, and placed signage along the bin that has the most active pile to protect it from drying. 

We installed the compost bins in May 2015 during a work bee that we had organized with the nearby junior high school – 90 grade 8 & 9 students from Hardisty School came to the garden site to help build the garden. Every screw that holds our composter together was drilled by a junior high student! The students were really keen to learn about composting and asked many great questions. 

Now that our first garden season is coming to an end, we have been thrilled by the amount of nearly finished compost we have already produced (half of a cubic yard)! Our three-bin system is working well for us. We have the gardeners input their clippings into one bin, which are mixed with browns to prevent smells and to balance the composting reaction. The middle bin is where the nearly finished compost can cure without a continual input of greens. The finished compost ends up in the third bin, so the gardeners can add it to their garden plots as needed. We turned the bins over in August, and will do it again in the spring." 

Learn more about The Sunshine Garden, visit the website or facebook group.

How does your community garden compost?
What are the successes and challenges?

- - - -
Jocelyn C. became an Master Composter Recycler in 2015.
She has been an enthusiastic volunteer. Jocelyn has set up her Free Tables at her workplace, created this "Compost Mentor Lives Here" sign, and presented about urban bees at the 2015 MCR Summer Social.

Activities for Community League Day

Community League Day is coming - are you involved? In the spirit of MCR Maria K, here are three "simple suggestions" for promoting waste reduction at your Community League Day celebration.

Host a Free Table

Got a pile of stuff you were saving for your favourite second hand store? Most of us do! Invite your friends and neighbours to bring their charity-bound items for a swap or "free stuff" table.

They'll save a trip to the local thrift shop, while still making sure their items will be used again.

Make sure you have a plan to get leftover items to your charity of choice afterward.

Collect Batteries

Everyone has a few dead batteries for disposal. Show friends and neighbours that batteries and light bulbs are just like paint and bleach - hazardous waste that should go to the Eco Station!

Set up a collection box for household batteries, that you will transport to an Eco Station after the event.

Batteries should never go in the garbage!

Note: Eco Stations do NOT receive waste from businesses and institutions. If MCRs collect a bunch of household batteries, contact the MCR Team for instructions.

Collect [Gently Used] Warm Clothes for Donation
We know that Edmonton winters can be harsh. Set up a collection station for warm clothing to donate.

Connect with one of the organizations in our city that works to keep homeless and low-income Edmontonians safe and warm. Check with them beforehand about donation guidelines.

Here is a short list of organizations that accept in-kind donations of clothing:

Keep Edmontonians warm this winter by
holding a coat drive.
Image from The Windsor Star

Coats for Kids & Families
Bissell Centre
YESS - Youth Empowerment & Support Services
The Mustard Seed
Wings of Providence
Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society
Bag of Hope
Hope Mission

Know another organization? Please post in the comments.

September 19, 2015 is Community League Day. Have fun in your 'hood.
Contact your community league. Find your community league.

A Peek Inside the 2013 MCR Summer Social

We spent Sunday with the sun,
the showers,
and fellow
Master Composter Recyclers.

Rodney took time to thank everyone that attended. He stressed that every conversation started around waste is a valuable way to contribute. It is a way to reach people who may not think about collectors when they set our their garbage, or understand how important it is to leave grass clippings on the lawn. Rodney also discussed feedback we've received about changing the name of the Master Composter Recycler program.

Some civilized folks chatting until the end of the day...


and then we let loose.

We had some young visitors.

Thanks to Heather S and Yoshie N for their hard work on the grill. The Bring-Your-Own-Salad bar was a colourful mix of beans, greens, reds, and yellows. Thanks to everyone who contributed from their garden and fridge. We would have gone home hungry without you.

We took a few photos for our website and brochures. Thanks to the photographer (Marlee U), artistic director (Mark SA), and subjects (Colleen, Chris, Kaitlyn, Kristin, Robyn, and more).

Future composters explore an Earth Machine compost bin. 

Colleen and Chris can teach you how to turn garbage into compost! 

Showing us how to use compost in planters. 

Thinking about our waste...

Heather and Ella sitting with the garbage from the Summer Social (both from planning the event and at the event itself). We always make an effort to reduce our waste but let's do even better next time! 

All in all it was a beautiful day. 

Thank you to everyone who join us (and all those who were with us in spirit).

Watch for the Volunteer Recognition Event on October 2!