Too Good

to Waste!

What is Garbage?

Commonly, it is the stuff we throw away

A.K.A: rubbish, waste, trash, refuse

What’s in Our Garbage?

How Much Do We Create?

Each person generates ~ 2.7 kg of garbage each day Together, Canadians produce more than 31 million

tonnes of garbage each year

That’s roughly the same volume of piling up 31 million average family cars!

Where Does it Go?

Approximately 67.2% of Canada’s 31 million tonnes of garbage is disposed of in a landfill

A landfill is a large area of land or an excavated site that is specifically designed and built to receive garbage

Canada has over 10,000 landfill sites

The Problem

More People+ More Garbage

= Less Available Landfill Space

The Solution

Garbage = RESOURCE

The 3Rs

REDUCE

REUSE

RECYCLE

Reduce

To decrease the amount of garbage produced

Reduce paper use by using both sides Pack your lunch in reusable containers Purchase products with recycled

content Use cloth bags when shopping

Reuse

To extend the product by using it again, repairing it, or creating new uses for it

Donate clothes, toys and other goods to local charities

Reuse jars and containers for storage

Use the coloured comics to wrap gifts

Purchase durable products that can be repaired and reused

Recycle

Collecting and reprocessing already manufactured materials into either the same product or something different

Recycle in the garden by composting organics

At home, use recycling services set up by your municipality

When shopping consider the material that the item is made from and packaged in. Only purchase materials that can be recycled

Get Involved

Register for Waste Reduction Week in Canada at www.wrwcanada.com

Plan Waste Reduction Week activities in your school– Complete a classroom waste audit– Hold a litterless lunch day– Challenge another class to a waste free day

Let your community know what you are doing