How to reduce your waste footprint
It’s Waste Reduction Week in Quebec, and boy do we need it. Quebecers produce 724 kilos of waste per inhabitant, according to Festival Zéro Déchet, the second edition of which takes place Nov. 2 to 4 at Marché Bonsecours. (Admission is free; tickets available at eventbrite.ca.)
Created by two zero-waste bloggers, last year’s first edition drew 7,000 people. For more information, visit festivalzerodechet.ca.
The festival’s all-female organizing team also created the Association Québécoise Zéro Déchet (aqzd.ca).
Based on zero-waste guru Bea Johnson’s five Rs — refuse (excess packaging, etc.), reduce, reuse, recycle and rot (or compost) — the zero-waste movement is gaining momentum. The AQZD adds one more R to the mix: repair.
Whether you’re a zero-waste novice or you’re already trying, everyone can learn a thing or three from Johnson, whose family generates a pint-sized jar of waste per year.
Known for her book Zero Waste Home and her blog (zerowastehome.com), Johnson finds creative ways to cut out the unnecessary with her 100 tips to reducing household waste.
The website zerowastecanada.com is also a good resource.
Some schools are getting in on the action this week, launching zero-waste lunch box challenges.
With all that in mind, and to get you started, here are 10 ways to reduce your household waste.
1
Cut out packaging
Montreal has already banned plastic bags, but paper’s not great either. Bring reusable bags everywhere. Zero waste Montreal grocery stores such as Loco and Méga Vrac sell products with no packaging.
2
Compost
People put way too much in the garbage, and food is at the top of the list. Put all your food scraps in the compost bin and you’ll be shocked at how small — and light — your trash bags become.
3
Recycle
It seems obvious, but it bears repeating: anything paper, glass or metal should be going in the recycling bin. Granted, Quebec recycling plants are not able to keep up with demand and there are important questions as to where our recycling goes and how much of it gets properly recycled, but if we don’t start somewhere, we’ll never get anywhere. That said, ideally, you’re not putting things in the garbage or the recycling bin, because you’re not creating waste.
4
Get a reusable water bottle, bring it around with you, use it
Disposable water bottles are a scourge, a scam and an environmental menace. Our tap water is pretty damn good, and there are excellent, reasonably priced water filters out there. You can get a Brita, a fridge with a water dispenser (and filter), or great filters that attach to your kitchen faucet. 5
Pass on old clothes, buy used clothes
The average North American throws out 81 pounds of clothing each year, which is nuts. Places like Le Chaînon and Renaissance will be happy to take your old outfits off your hands. As part of Quebec Waste Reduction Week, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Montreal is encouraging people to empty their closets and register for the organization’s used clothing home pickup service. The re-sold clothing represents 50 per cent of BBBS’s annual financing.
6
Eat smarter
Cook at home — it’s healthier, cheaper and cuts down on disposable containers. If you are eating out, bring your own takeaway
container. If you’re eating at home, do away with disposable plates, cups and cutlery (even on social occasions), and use cloth napkins and dishcloths. Really cut down on packaging, and eat local, by subscribing to a weekly organic produce basket from one of Equiterre’s 116 affiliated farms. (equiterre.org)
7
Buy reusable containers
You can purchase eco-friendly shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, and cleaning products at shops like Loco and Coop Coco. Just bring your own containers and refill them each time. If you’re a real keener, check out Bea Johnson’s website or book for ideas on how to make your own versions of any of the above with things like baking soda, vinegar and Castile soap.
8
Household cleaning Industrial cleaning products are environmental killers, releasing all kinds of toxic elements into the air and water supply. Eco-friendly alternatives will give you a clean conscience, and you may well find you prefer the gentler, less abrasive odours.
9
Eco-fy your laundry
Run bigger loads, less frequently. When possible, hang to dry. And use eco-friendly detergent. 10
Erase your paper trail
Sign up for electronic bills and statements. Reuse single-side printed paper: print on both sides, or use reverse side for notes and lists. Save and reuse envelopes and paper bags.