Waste Reduction Tips

Here are some programs and tips that will help you to reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste in Edmonton.

Reduce

Grasscycle (leave the clippings on the lawn as you mow). Grasscycling provides nutrients for your lawn, saves time and money spent on garbage bags, and reduces waste and the resources needed to collect the waste.

Compost your food and yard waste. It's a simple way to reduce waste and produce a nutrient-rich conditioner for your lawn, garden and houseplants. Need a jump start? Visit the City of Edmonton's compost education centre at the John Janzen Nature Centre.

Use those leaves: compost them, save them for sheet composting, or give them to a neighbour/friend that needs leaves for their garden projects.

Buy only what you need.

Buy in bulk and avoid buying items with excess packaging. No-packaging alternatives such as refilling your original bottle are a great choice to reduce your waste.

Reuse

Donate items that can be reused. Our Reuse & Recycling Directory has a list of charities, businesses and services that can take your unwanted household items and find someone who will put them to good use.

The Reuse Centre and Reuse Fairs collect everyday items and make them available to groups and individuals who will reuse them.

Repair items instead of simply throwing them out.

For entertaining, use reusable cutlery, tablecloths, napkins rather than one-off disposable items.

Be a friend of EPL. Use the library for books, music, and movies.

Bring your own reusable bags or bins when you shop.

Purchase quality durable goods and avoid single use and disposable items.

Recycle

Recycle when you can't reduce or reuse. Edmonton has many convenient recycling programs like the Blue Bag program, the Blue Bin program and the community Recycling Depots.

Cotton clothes and bedding that are no longer usable can go to Recycling Depots to be collected for paper making at Greys Paper Facility located at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.

Know Before You Throw. Recycling the wrong stuff wastes time and money. Garden hoses, scrap metal, extension cords, Christmas lights, small appliances, pet litter, and diapers don’t belong in recycling.

Promote recycling to newcomers or those unfamiliar with our system.

Responsible Waste Disposal

Take all of your household hazardous waste (HHW) to an Eco Station. Before buying any hazardous waste chemical, check to see if there is an environmentally friendly alternative. Hint: If you have some potential re-usable items, take then to the Ambleside Eco Station, where there is a Reuse Area where visitors can take these items away for free.

A Few Other Waste Reduction tips:

• Buy rechargeable batteries which are more easily recycled.
• Remove your name from the mailing lists of materials you no longer wish to receive.

Want to make a difference? Learn more about waste and transform into a community leader in waste reduction by becoming a Master Composter Recycler!

Learn more about City of Edmonton Waste Management programs by booking a That’s Not Garbage Presentation or touring the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.

For more information:

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	wasteman@edmonton.ca