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By Laura Servage The best way to reduce our waste is to reduce our consumption. Yet, of the 5 REs (REfuse, REduce, REuse, REpurpose, and REcycle), reducing is one of the least pleasant to think or talk about. It’s uncomfortable for us because almost everyone occasionally succumbs to advertising ploys and buys stuff they don’t need, or stuff that won’t last. I know this from my own experience. Here’s a recent example: A couple of years ago, I bought some plastic measuring cups from Dollarama. They were hella cheap. Great. But now they’re chipped, scratched, and broken.  And can the hard plastic it’s made from be recycled? Even if I throw it in my blue bin, is there a buyer for this kind of plastic, or will it end up in a landfill somewhere? I have no idea. Nor do I have the chemical engineering degree required to identify subtle differences among plastic products. The point here is that a cheap and convenient purchase—one of those rushed things you do when you’ve got decision fatigue and three more errands to go—can easily leave you feeling guilty and confused when that low-quality item quickly comes to the end of its life. Suddenly, you both have to figure out what to do with it and replace it with something new. I’m sharing my experience because I want you to feel safer sharing yours. If we can start talking freely and without shame about these kinds of simple purchase fails, we can support each other to reduce what we buy in the first place, make better choices when we do buy, and ultimately reduce our consumption by decreasing the number of times we need to replace our items. As for my poor-quality, broken plastic measuring cups, I bit the bullet and paid almost $30 for a set of stainless steel cups. I’m not rich, by the way. It’s harder to spend $30 on a kitchen tool than it is to spend $4. But when I use them, I know that they will last until I die, and they’ll still be useful to some lucky thrifter after that. Will you be inspired enough by this blog to never, ever again buy something you are stuck sending to landfill later? Of course not, and that’s okay! The overwhelm of trying to make environmentally friendly purchases is real. It takes time to do the research, and it costs more upfront to buy something sustainable. You may not be able to shop sustainably for everything all the time. But you can do it sometimes, for some things, and enjoy the satisfaction of a sturdy, high-quality item that you’ve been intentional about buying. If you can’t afford a large purchase, focus on small, essential things that you use regularly. When you need new underwear, buy good ones that won’t wear out in 10 minutes. When you need a screwdriver, buy a good one that won’t shred or bend when you use it. Or buy some good measuring cups! You’ll love the feeling of owning something long-lasting that can be responsibly recycled or won’t need to be recycled at all. A lot of the messaging about reducing is that we need to buy less stuff. That’s true, but we still need stuff sometimes! And when you do need to buy something, you practice REducing by ensuring that you won’t be buying the same thing again in a year or two. Not only are you investing in quality items for yourself, you’re sending a message to all the companies that rely on our willingness, as consumers, to accept planned obsolescence. Here are some other quick tips to help you make a difference:
Edited by Jess Blackwell
By Fatima Abidi  A soiled pizza box, a broken glass jar, an old charger. The one factor that ties these items together is that they are examples of commonly “wishcycled” products. “Wishcycling” is the practice of placing items in the recycling bin and hoping they will be recycled, without having evidence to believe that this is the case. Oftentimes, these objects — and objects they come into contact with — end up in landfills, which is the last place the person intended for them to go. Although wishcycling is usually done with good intentions, incorrectly recycling items can cause contamination in the recycling system and cost money, time, and effort to combat its resulting effects. Due to recycling’s popular reputation, many people believe that it is an easy and accessible way to practice sustainability, and so it’s become commonplace to assume that most objects can be reprocessed through curbside pickup. Unfortunately, this isn’t actually the case. Additionally, the fact that each municipality differs in what it accepts can cause confusion when people try to figure out what object belongs in which bin. What kinds of items are wishcycled? A broad range of items — everything from electronics to clothes and other household items — can follow the same fate of being wishcycled. The most common items include:
Plastics tend to be the greatest offenders, as they’re often misleadingly labeled as recyclable, making it hard to discern whether they will actually be accepted or not. It is important to remember that items marked as “recyclable” are only recyclable in theory — somewhere in the world — and may not be accepted for recycling in your area. A 2022 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated that, “Only around 9 percent of all the plastic waste generated globally is recycled” (OECD, 2022). Despite the well-meaning intentions behind wishcycling, a very small portion of plastics are actually reprocessed, and the contamination caused by wishcycling can lead to a decrease in recycling rates. Wishcyling jeopardizes the recycling process by causing contamination You may have heard the saying, “A bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” This is especially true of the recycling process. Incorrectly placing items in the recycling bin can result in more trash making its way to landfills through contamination and can put workers at risk as they sort and pick out non-recyclables. The highest contamination rates in Canada occur in Toronto and Edmonton, where around 25% of items that are sent to be recycled are contaminated (Chung, 2018). This places a significant financial strain on recycling infrastructure, as facilities still have to process the contaminated items, only to ultimately send them to landfills instead. Contamination can also lower the value of some materials and cause machine jams, both of which hinder the cost of the recycling from being offset. Jim McKay, general manager of waste management services for the City of Toronto, estimates that $600,000 to $1 million a year could be saved with each percentage point decrease in Toronto’s contamination rate (Chung, 2018). So, by sorting our items properly and doing our part to prevent contamination, we can benefit the environment, keep waste management workers safe, and free up city funding to be used for other pressing matters. What can we do to prevent wishcycling? The first step to reducing wishcycling is becoming aware of what can and cannot be recycled in your municipal waste system. Because each city has exceptions and differences in what they accept, it’s best to research what items are acceptable to be recycled in your area to make sure you’re utilizing the recycling system to the best of its ability. For example, the City of Toronto has a handy tool called the Waste Wizard. This tool can be used to quickly determine where to place items you would like to dispose of. While you should reference your city’s guidelines, here are some examples of how to properly dispose of commonly wishcycled items:
Wishycling in the donation context Another type of wishcycling occurs in the donation context, when items that aren’t suitable to be given away for reuse are donated. This places the burden of disposing of the items onto donation centers and their workers and leads to donation centers being at capacity with items that cannot be reused — items that ultimately end up in landfills. This is a commonly reported issue among donation centers. For example, Sean Shannon, the CEO of National Diabetes Trust, reported that “Both well-intentioned but misinformed donors, as well as clearly some bad actors, have been using bins like ours as basically dumping grounds” (Jones, 2020). The topic of donation is a complex one, as we must consider: in what situations might our well-intentioned generosity have negative implications? But a good starting point is to be more thoughtful when choosing which items to donate. Some ways to reduce the negative impacts of over-donating and donating inappropriate items include:
For a full list of what is accepted at the SLNA-WRG’s REmarket event, be sure to check out the REmarket Rules & Guidelines page. We must all recognize that unusable items should not be donated and should instead be recycled or placed in the garbage bin, depending on what the item is. Summary While wish-cycling itself often stems from harmless intentions to reduce extra waste from being sent to landfills, incorrectly placing items in the recycling or in donation bins can have a plethora of negative consequences for the receiving facilities and the process as a whole. Becoming aware of and following recycling guidelines and restrictions can support an already weakened system.
Although recycling isn’t the perfect solution to the waste problem, correctly using recycling services can reduce the financial burden on these facilities, prevent unnecessary waste, and be a push for change in the right direction in regards to the way the world deals with waste. By Mythreyi Rajasingham  Photo of backpack filled with school supplies. Photo by vimbroisi, via Pixabay. It’s that time of year again—the time for back-to-school shopping, when students search for the perfect supplies to help them through the academic year ahead. While the thought of returning to school can feel intimidating and occasionally unpleasant, the tradition of back-to-school shopping has solidified its place in most students’ lives as something exciting. Yet, what frequently goes unmentioned is the amount of school supplies that end up in the trash. For instance, around 580,000 tonnes of books, including textbooks and notebooks, are disposed of each year (CBC, 2020). This amounts to hundreds of millions of usable books being wasted (Dcunha, 2022). Rather than overspending on school supplies only to see them go to waste, you can REuse, REduce, and REcycle for a heftier wallet and a healthier planet. REuse Reusing old school supplies is a straightforward approach to both reducing waste and saving money. Items like backpacks and locks, which are considered long-term supplies, can serve well for four years or longer depending on their quality and how well they are maintained. To make the most of this strategy, take some time to look around your home and gather any school supplies, from pens and pencils to journals and folders, that you have collected over the years. This way, you will have lots of options to pick from when choosing what to use for the upcoming school year. After you have decided which school supplies to reuse, consider repairing ones that are broken or damaged, and give them a good cleaning if they are dirty. For example, if your old backpack has a wonky zipper or a loose strap, you can try to fix these issues yourself, have them addressed by a local repair cafe, or bring them to a local tailor. You can often restore old items to a like-new condition with a little bit of time and effort. This approach not only makes your supplies feel new again but also helps the environment a lot. By using your old school supplies again, you are reducing the demand for new products, which lead to waste and pollution via their production and transportation processes (Minos, 2022). REduce While reusing school supplies is a great approach to lowering your carbon footprint, you might find that a few items are in short supply at home and need to be bought from stores. In such cases, it is perfectly fine to buy new items when necessary, but it is recommended that you prioritise quality over quantity. For example, when faced with a choice between a 20-pack of fragile mechanical pencils and a 5-pack of sturdy ones, go for the 5-pack. A well-made mechanical pencil lasts longer than a flimsy one, and when it is time to discard them, there will be less waste because you have bought fewer items. Another suggested approach is to buy second-hand supplies from friends and family, platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Karrot, or local thrift stores (Astoul, 2023). You can also rely on totally free markets (like the WRG’s FreeMarket event) and local swaps to obtain these items. And if you have any usable school supplies that you want to discard, consider selling or donating them to those who could use them. For example, did you know that the WRG accepts working stationery items and school supplies at REmarket? Lastly, to cut down on both household clutter and waste, choose reusable items over disposable single-use ones. For example, instead of using single-use plastic snack bags or water bottles, opt for containers that can be washed and reused for many years. By following these suggestions, you can buy school supplies at a more affordable cost, make long-term savings by choosing reusable options, and have a more eco-friendly household. REcycle In addition to reusing old school supplies and reducing the amount of new ones you buy, you can also recycle your old supplies when they can no longer be used and opt for new ones made from recycled materials. For example, Staples Canada accepts used pens, markers, and toner cartridges for recycling in many of its stores. In partnership with Staples, the WRG also accepts these items for recycling at its triennial REmarket event. Similarly, if you find yourself needing a new backpack because your old one is damaged and cannot be fixed, look for bags that are made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, or those that come with lifetime warranties. While the American brand Terra Threads offers backpacks made from recycled materials, the Swedish brand Fjällräven provides backpacks with life-time warranties (DiBenedetto, 2022). However, it is important to know that some companies engage in a practice called greenwashing, where they falsely advertise their products as sustainable so that they can sell them for a higher price. One strategy to help you avoid buying items that have been greenwashed involves using the platform Good On You. This website allows you to research brands and assess their impact on the environment, labourers, and animals. Take the brand Herschel Supply Co. as an example. Good On You rates the brand as “not good enough” because its products are reported to include harmful chemicals, and it has failed to openly share essential details about its worker protection policies. With the Good On You platform, you can avoid brands that greenwash and make thoughtful back-to-school purchases that are good for the environment and those living in it. Summary With the back-to-school season prompting students to search for new supplies, it is important to give equal attention to waste reduction. By adopting the three REs mentioned in this article—REuse, REduce, and REcycle—a more sustainable approach can be taken. Reusing old supplies cuts down waste and expenses, focusing on quality over quantity reduces environmental impact, and considering recycled options and avoiding ‘greenwashing’ aligns choices with sustainability. This marks a new era of conscious back-to-school shopping—one that celebrates mindful choices, sustainability, and a brighter future for all! This article was edited by Lumida Editing & Proofreading
By Philippe Edde  Ever go on vacation and find it difficult to keep up the habits you've mastered at home? Maybe you tend to only use reusable packaging at home, or you have an effective method of recycling and upcycling your packaging waste. But when you're on the go all the time, it can be hard to keep your commitment to the planet. Luckily for us, there are ways that we can minimize our waste production and carbon footprint while traveling. By adopting plastic-free travel practices, we can significantly reduce our contribution to the global plastic waste problem. In this article, we explore sustainable strategies and practical tips for responsible travelers committed to minimizing plastic waste during their journeys. 1. Plan ahead and pack wisely Before embarking on your trip, take the time to plan and pack thoughtfully. Opt for reusable alternatives instead of single-use plastics. For example, carry a reusable water bottle—trust me, this one makes a difference. Not only does it prevent waste but it is much cheaper and more convenient than constantly buying plastic bottles. Planning where or what you will eat during the day can also help you prevent pollution. You can plan to eat at restaurants where single-use plastic cutlery and cups aren’t provided. Or if you're a bit more adventurous, traveling more off the grid, you can take finger foods or sandwiches that don't require plastic cutlery to eat. If you must eat something with cutlery, be sure to bring your own reusable or biodegradable cutlery. Carrying a reusable bag for your shopping trips or souvenirs can also greatly reduce your plastic consumption. Finally, those tiny shampoo bottles you see in hotels may be cute, but they definitely use up lots of plastic. You can avoid this waste by bringing your own eco-friendly alternatives or opting for bar soaps and shampoo bars. 2. Choose accommodations that prioritize sustainability When selecting accommodations, prioritize establishments that have sustainable practices in place. A number of booking websites, like Booking.com and Expedia, recently implemented eco-friendly badges to help you identify accommodations that have put effort into being sustainable. If that’s not your style, there are entire websites dedicated to helping you find sustainable lodging, including Ecohotels, Bookdifferent, and Select Green Hotels. Supporting these establishments sends a message that sustainability matters to travelers, encouraging more businesses to adopt plastic-free practices. Even after checking into your new abode, be sure to ask for the recycling instructions, as recycling protocols can change drastically between countries and even cities! Also, regardless of what kind of hotel or motel you stay in, you can help reduce your carbon footprint by opting out of housekeeping services; this reduces the emissions from the venue's laundering and drying of linens and towels and cuts back on the chemicals used during the cleaning process. 3. Support local markets and sustainable food practices Explore local markets and food vendors that prioritize sustainable practices. International chain restaurants are terrible polluters, and fast food restaurants are especially bad: most American fast food restaurants do not meet the Natural Resources Defense Council’s criteria for sustainable packaging. Instead of going for the same old stuff, purchase fresh produce and snacks from local markets and ask for your food without plastic packaging (unless you absolutely need it). By shopping locally, you also stimulate the economy of the country you are visiting instead of giving more money to the corporate giants that pollute our lands and oceans. 4. Embrace eco-friendly transportation options Transportation plays a significant role in the carbon footprint we generate while traveling. Opt for eco-friendly transportation options. Consider cycling, walking, or taking public transit whenever possible. Google Maps is a wonderful tool for planning your use of these methods of transportation, wherever you are. If you need to rent a vehicle, choose a company that promotes sustainability and offers hybrid or electric cars. Alternatively, be sure to carpool with friends or other travellers in similar situations. BlaBlacar.com has a number of carpool routes in Europe that you can use to get to your destination in a greener way. By reducing your reliance on fossil fuel–powered transportation and supporting greener alternatives, you contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, making your travel more sustainable overall. And, of course, if you have the budget to do so, consider taking a direct flight to your destination, as this cuts back on the emissions from the fuel used during takeoff. 5. Participate in beach and community cleanups Lastly, if you want to be a super soldier in the fight to clean up the earth, you can participate in local cleanups or community-led initiatives during your travels. Many coastal destinations organize regular cleanups to tackle plastic pollution. Joining these efforts allows you to directly contribute to the reduction of plastic waste and create awareness within local communities. It's a meaningful way to connect with fellow travellers and locals who share your commitment to a cleaner environment. The bottom line By adopting plastic-free and low-carbon travel practices, we can safeguard the natural beauty of our planet and protect fragile ecosystems for future generations. Through conscious planning, responsible choices, and supporting sustainable businesses, we can significantly reduce our contribution to the plastic waste crisis. Let's become ambassadors of change and inspire others to embrace sustainable practices while exploring the world. This post was edited by Lumida Editing & Proofreading.
By Julia Hernández Malagón
This year's celebration is a great opportunity for you to do your part to reduce the environmental impact of your participation. Want to contribute to a greener city and festival? Keep reading!  1. Choose a sustainable costume Trying to think of what your this year’s costume will look like? Try upcycling! Chances are that you have old shoes, masks, or T-shirts that you have been stockpiling. Well, this is the time to use them! Maybe you could use that old dress in the corner of your wardrobe to make a fun and creative costume. Try to find better uses for your old clothes and accessories and get innovative by using recycled materials—such as newspapers, cardboard, and packaging—to complement your costumes. Involve your kids and encourage them to participate in making their own costumes. They’ll be blown away by all the creative ideas, and it’ll be good for them to learn how to make things for themselves. You can find some fun ideas on Pinterest here. If you don’t have the time to create your costume from scratch, you can always borrow it from a friend, swap for it, or rent it. If you do end up buying your costume new, try to use it for as long as you can or donate it at the end of its shelf-life. 2. Try to avoid glitter Glitter can be a big part of the celebration of the Caribbean Carnival. However, due to its composition of aluminum and plastic, it’s very detrimental to the environment (Yurtsever, 2019). Because we’re just using it for fun, is it really worth the environmental consequences? This year, consider using alternatives to complement your costume! Some neat options include:
3. Use public transit, walk, or bike to the event if you can Not only will this help you to avoid traffic and maybe even get to the event faster, but by using public transport, cycling, or going on foot, you will also contribute to reducing the environmental impact of your celebrations. Travel usually constitutes a great amount of the emissions from events. Each year, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival attracts millions of visitors and is considered the largest cultural celebration in all of North America. If each of us does our part, we can make a meaningful difference. 4. Minimize your waste Among the most unsustainable aspects of the Caribbean Carnival is the ensuing waste, including plastic cups, throwaway plates and utensils, and food scraps. To avoid having to use plastic cups, bring a reusable cup, which you can also decorate to match your costume. You can also bring your own reusable utensils to avoid the use of plastic ones, and politely decline drinks with plastic straws. And when you’re done with the party, just make sure that you put each kind of waste in the proper disposal receptacle. If you’re not sure whether something should go in the recycling bin, organics bin, or garbage bin, you can reference your city’s or waste collector’s resources for more information. For example, did you know that the City of Toronto has a handy tool called the Waste Wizard? This searchable feature helps you figure out exactly where each item should go! 5. Finally, spread the word Encourage your friends and family members to reduce their environmental impact with these simple tips. We can implement the principles of the circular economy both in our daily lives and during special events such as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Not only will doing so be beneficial for you in many ways (such as by helping you save money, get creative, and have fun while also getting rid of old stuff) but you’ll also contribute to a more sustainable world. Happy Caribbean Carnival! References: Yurtsever, M. (2019). “Tiny, shiny, and colorful microplastics: Are regular glitters a significant source of microplastics?, Marine Pollution Bulletin; Perosa M, et al. (2021) “Taking the sparkle off the sparkling time, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2021. This post was edited by Lumida Editing & Proofreading. By Mythreyi Rajasingham  When it comes to purchasing pre-bottled drinks, our choice of packaging material can help keep the environment and its inhabitants healthy and safe from toxins.
Although plastic, glass, and aluminium bottles/cans vary in the ways in which they impact the environment, a lack of proper communication has caused most consumers to falsely believe that glass bottles are more sustainable than plastic and aluminium ones. To find the most eco-friendly option, most sources have compared the sustainability of plastic, glass, and aluminium bottles/cans by looking at the three stages of their lifecycle: production, transportation, and recycling. Plastic bottles Recently, plastic has garnered significant attention due to its environmental repercussions, with one prevalent example being its harmful impact on marine life, particularly turtles. However, due to its lightweight nature and affordability, plastic bottles, commonly made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have emerged as the favoured option among consumers. Although plastic bottles use less energy during production and transportation because of their light weight, they require the extraction of crude oil, a non-renewable resource (“Glass, aluminum, plastic,” 2021). The act of oil drilling also damages the environment by contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases, which has led to global warming and climate change. Compared to glass and aluminium bottles/cans, plastic bottles are significantly less recycled, reducing their overall sustainability (Murphy, 2020). With this in mind, plastic bottles, while favoured for their lightweight nature and affordability, pose serious environmental challenges due to their impact on marine life, reliance on non-renewable crude oil, and low recycling rates compared to glass and aluminium alternatives. Glass bottles Compared to plastic, the production and distribution of glass requires much more energy because this material is heavier and more fragile. And due to their fragility, glass bottles cannot be tightly packed during transportation, which leads to more frequent shipments and, consequently, consumes a greater amount of fuel. According to a recent study conducted in Italy, the majority of consumers perceive glass bottles as the most environmentally sustainable choice (Feo, 2022). This perception aligns with the fact that glass bottles can be recycled endlessly. But when considering factors like production and transportation, it is clear that glass has a greater number of disadvantages than benefits. For instance, glass relies on a finite resource: sand. The UN Environmental Programme has declared sand as the “second most exploited natural resource after water” (Bero, 2022). As noted by Toronto-based journalist Nehal El-Hadi, sand is not only essential for glass production but also for constructing cities, which has contributed to its scarcity. In addition to this, since the process of collecting and sorting glass bottles has its own challenges, glass can actually be difficult to recycle. This clashes with the consumer belief that glass bottles are environmentally sustainable due to their ability to be recycled endlessly. In fact, life cycle assessments (LCAs), which look at the energy consumption, resource use, and waste production of various materials, have determined that glass is the least sustainable option. Aluminium cans In recent years, aluminium cans have gained popularity because of their light weight and ability to be repeatedly recycled without a loss in quality. Unlike glass bottles, aluminium cans can be tightly packed when shipped because of their size and weight, which saves a lot of fuel and emits less greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. But despite these positives, it is worth noting that aluminium production relies on the extraction of bauxite, a mineral that poses risks such as water contamination and soil erosion when mined (Murphy, 2020). Like glass and plastic, the sustainability of aluminium cans depends on factors such as recyclability and is influenced by production and transportation processes. As a result, it becomes challenging to label one type of bottle as more sustainable than others without considering each of their unique contexts. Yet, several studies have suggested that, in general, aluminium cans tend to be more sustainable compared to glass and plastic options. While aluminium cans offer advantages such as a lightweight design, efficient transportation, and high recyclability, their sustainability must be considered in light of factors like bauxite extraction and production processes. Plastic, glass, or aluminium? In the end, choosing the most sustainable packaging material for pre-bottled drinks requires the consideration of various factors. While each option has its own advantages and drawbacks, it is important to focus on reducing overall consumption, promoting recycling, and supporting a circular economy. So, although most sources have labelled aluminium cans as the most sustainable choice and glass bottles as the least sustainable choice, it’s important to remember that all these options have negative impacts on the environment. With this in mind, if the intention is to decrease environmental consequences when choosing what type of bottle/can to buy, the more eco-friendly option would be to buy aluminium cans and recycle them afterwards. However, the most sustainable choice is to reduce the consumption of pre-bottled drinks altogether and instead opt for reusable bottles In any case, it is important to keep in mind that even though the fate of our planet may seem bleak, we all have the power to minimise packaging waste and, in the process, lead our planet towards a more sustainable future. By Julia Hernández Malagón  With the summer season approaching and all the pandemic restrictions being lifted, we’re seeing an increasing number of upcoming in-person events. While certain activities and celebrations can be done online, there’s no replacement for physical contact, making connections in person, and exploring new environments together. This sort of in-person time is, in many cases, very important for our personal and professional development.  Nevertheless, these events can also have a detrimental impact on the environment. This is why reducing the environmental impact of your events can be a big opportunity for your organization to commit to sustainable practices. A paper published in the Journal of Cleaner Production shows the results of a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) being performed on the three main parts of a conference: preparation, execution, and post-conference activities. The study revealed that travel activities play a dominant role in the overall environmental impact of such events, along with catering selection, hotel overnight stays, and other aspects related to the venue. The analysis also concluded that changing travelling methods, adopting vegetarian meals, and reducing the amount of conference materials can significantly better the environmental profile of a conference. In this article, we provide some ideas you can keep in mind to organize more sustainable events. 1. Plan your event with the help of accepted guidelines. ISO 20121 is an internationally recognized standard that provides guidelines for sustainable event management. It allows for a common language and comparison between organizations. It is applicable to all types and sizes of organizations involved in the delivery and design of events. This standard can be certified by a third party, increasing the credibility of the sustainability of the event. 2. Choose an accessible location. Because a large part of the carbon footprint of events results from transportation, try to find a location that is easily accessible by foot or public transport. Make recommendations on how attendees can arrive via public means. 3. Go hybrid or online. While an in-person event can be an incredible experience, going online or hybrid can help reduce food consumption, material waste, and the impact of travelling for people living far away from the venue. It will also eliminate barriers, allowing you to open your doors to a broader audience and be more inclusive. 4. Choose sustainable suppliers. When selecting suppliers for the different phases of your event, apply sustainability criteria and select those who are more committed to sustainability practices. Engage with them to better understand their environmental policies and activities. Do they match yours? Some ideas for how to choose sustainable suppliers can be found here. 5. Avoid paper and reduce material consumption. Traditionally, large quantities of paper have been used in events (programs, reports, booklets, etc.). Try to change this by relying on digital tools and keeping your use of material aids to a minimum. If print assets are needed, use only recycled materials. 6. Find a green venue. How do you look for a green venue? Look for buildings that are LEED-certified, and keep in mind the following aspects of their operation: waste diversion (clearly visible waste sorting and recycling), energy reduction, sustainable sourcing (local sources), and green spaces. You can find some ideas for venues in Canada here and here. 7. Make Earth-friendly catering choices. If possible, try to choose vegetarian meal options, calculate portions to avoid food waste, encourage the use of tap water, and provide reusable utensils. To go the extra mile, you can consider hiring a zero-waste caterer, such as Suppli or Unboxed Market (which both serve the Toronto area). 8. Say no to food waste and other material wastes. Try not to provide more food than is needed, encourage participants to take only what they know they’ll eat, and if leftovers are inevitable, craft a plan for where that food can be used or donated. Finally, ensure that your venue or caterer provides the resources needed to compost organic waste and that guests know where organics bins are located. You can find more ideas here. 9. Educate others about sustainability and the impact of your event. Actively inform participants and organizers of sustainable practices, and make sure they understand the rules. You should also consider communicating the impact of the event, as this can paint your organization in a positive light while also stressing the importance of sustainability and encouraging other groups to follow suit. Here’s an article on the evolution of sustainable events in Toronto. 10. Track your progress. Last but not least, you should track your progress to identify areas for improvement and major achievements that you can leverage for communication purposes. You can also ask your attendees for feedback about the sustainable practices you implemented and ideas for future events. This way, you’ll engage your audience while showing your commitment to sustainability. Organizing a sustainable event can help your organization in many ways, from inspiring others to be more environmentally friendly to spreading awareness among your community, reducing your environmental impact, and reducing costs associated with energy, and waste. Additional reading:
https://convention.visitberlin.de/sites/default/files/2022-03/visitBerlin_Sustainable-Event-Guidelines_EN.pdf By Jess Blackwell As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power”! The more you and your team know about what’s going on with our planet and what you can do to help, the better equipped you are to make positive changes. Here are some tips for how you can keep yourself and your team informed:
 *This post is based on content originally published at lumida.ca/blog. By Jess Blackwell  Even if you don’t run a restaurant or grocery store, all that lunchtime and snack-time food waste add up. Here are some tips for cutting back on your small business’ food waste:
Again, every little change makes a difference, so don’t feel pressured to tackle too many items at once. *This post is based on content originally published at lumida.ca/blog.
By Jess Blackwell  We know—having bottled water on hand is super convenient for both you and your customers. However, there are likely ways for you to reduce or eliminate your reliance on plastic, single-use bottles of water. For example:
*This post is based on content originally published at lumida.ca/blog.
By Katelyn Marie Poyntz  Want to save a bit of money while doing a favour for our environment?
Stop buying these five things: 1. Paper towels Old clothes cut into squares do just as good a job cleaning up messes, and you can wash and reuse them. Also, did you know that a scrunched-up newspaper is the best way to clean mirrors and windows? 2. Cleaning rags Clothes that are no longer good for wearing make great cleaning and polishing rags! C otton and flannel fabrics typically work the best, and old towels make for good scrubbers. Just cut them into squares, and you’re ready to go! 3. Painting drop sheets Going to make a mess? Whether you’re crafting, painting, or renovating, save those old sheets and use them to cover and protect your work area. 4. Storage containers Do you buy peanut butter, pasta sauce, or other things that come in jars? Save those jars and reuse them for all sorts of storage. Plastic containers work well for nails, screws, or other knickknacks, such as sewing buttons, while glass jars are great for storing shelf-stable foods such as grains, dried beans, and pasta. 5. Organic (green) bin liners Compostable green bin liners are not only expensive but the City of Toronto doesn’t accept them in the green bin! So you can stop buying them immediately. Instead, save and use things such as frozen veggie bags, milk bags, paper bags, or cereal liners. So what will you stop buying to start saving? By Jess Blackwell  Going on “coffee runs” has been a long-lasting office and workplace tradition for some pretty legit reasons:
However, if you’re grabbing one or two disposable coffee cups in a day, that can really add up. So, next time you and your coworkers have a hankering for that afternoon coffee, consider some of these tips:
Regardless of which of these tips you choose to implement, every change is a step in the right direction. *This post is based on content originally published at lumida.ca/blog.
By Katelyn Marie Poyntz  In previous weeks, we talked about the carbon footprint of foods, but what about the footprint of consuming it?
It’s all about the heat you use, which takes energy to create. The raw food movement would win the carbon battle, but here are some tips to reduce your carbon footprint while still having a warm meal:
By Jess Blackwell  Regardless of whether you operate a service-based office or a product-based storefront or restaurant, chances are that there are steps you can take to reduce your paper waste. For example:
If you think it would be possible to implement multiple ways of reducing paper waste, you may still find it’s easier for you and your staff (and your customers) to adapt by making one change at a time. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable, go ahead and make multiple changes at once, and, where possible, try to give your customers and staff some notice about the upcoming changes. This will give you time to address any questions or concerns and prepare everyone for a more sustainable workplace. *This post is based on content originally published at lumida.ca/blog.
By Katelyn Marie Poyntz This week, we cover the infamous duel between meat and veggies! In short, yes, a single steak has a higher carbon footprint than produce. In fact, a single six-oz steak is like eating 38 bananas or 22,000 lbs of carrots! However, you would only need to chow down on three oranges or a container of out-of-season strawberries to match a steak. So, if you eat a tonne of fruit and veggies out of season, it can still add up! Check out the table below to see how some other proteins stack up against steak.  Fish is a great alternative to beef, with a single serving coming in at half the carbon footprint of a single egg. But be aware that there are challenges with the sustainability of fish farming, so it’s important to educate yourself on that first. *This post is based on content originally posted on Wylderr.
By Jess Blackwell  Instead of using liquid hand soaps and hand soap refills that come in plastic bottles or bags, you can consider some of the following lower-waste swaps:
Stores like Saponetti allow you to order hand soaps, dish soaps, and other cleaners and household items in bulk. Better yet, they allow you to collect your refills in glass jars, reducing plastic waste. They also deliver! Bare Market also offers refills for liquid dish soap, which you can collect in your own glass jars. And, of course, there are other similar refill spots throughout the city, so feel free to check with your local low-waste or eco-conscious shop to see what they have in stock! *This post is based on content originally published at lumida.ca/blog.
By Katelyn Marie Poyntz In a previous post, we explained what a carbon footprint is. Now we’ll help you reduce it! This week’s key message: eat seasonal and local whenever possible. Out-of-season produce is transported further and is often grown in hothouses, which are heated structures used to create the perfect growing environment. In some cases, air transport is also used to make sure the produce arrives at the store before it spoils. The energy to heat and fly can significantly increase the carbon footprint of such products. In the graphic below, you can check out the difference between in-and out-of-season oranges and strawberries. It’s pretty wild!  *This post is based on content originally posted on Wylderr. |
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